Welcome Letter for the Class of 2029

Marti Wong ’26

Dear Class of 2029,

Welcome to BHSEC! You’ve officially entered a rare environment in which you get to experience high school and quasi-college in the same four years, which means double the opportunities, double the caffeine, and double the confusion about what grade you’re actually in. No, the Year Twos aren’t sophomores. 

As a Year Two, I know that being a first-year student can be daunting — during my first day at BHSEC, I wandered around the building for at least twenty-five minutes trying to find the gym. So, to help make this transition a little easier for you, here are some tips to help you survive— and hopefully thrive— during your first semester at Bard.

First, you should know that the field is your friend. On nice days, Baruch Field is basically Bard’s unofficial outdoor lounge. It’s perfect for eating lunch, catching up with friends, frantically doing your reading before class, or tossing a frisbee. Once you’re allowed to leave the building during free periods and lunch time, explore it! There are swings in the back for de-stressing, picnic tables, and more often than not, cats slinking around by the fence.

Shortcuts save lives (and late slips). Instead of walking on East Houston, which is loud, crowded, and basically devoid of shade, take the path behind NEST. It brings a little whimsy to the morning commute, and it saves just enough time to ensure consistent punctuality. And, if you’re someone who likes to listen to music (or gossip with friends) on the walk to school, you can be sure that no one will bother or overhear you.

Introduce yourself to your professors early! Pop in, say hello, ask them what they’re researching, or just tell them you enjoyed their class. Attending office hours is a huge part of college culture, and thus a huge part of early college culture. It can help the transition into your courses feel much less intimidating. Plus, professors love talking about their passions, from Russian literature to radical reading practices to Ovid. 

The Bard experience has so much to offer in addition to academic excellence. So, don’t forget to make time for the fun stuff — your homework will still be there when you’re done. Bard has a club for every interest: Lit Mag, Ultimate Frisbee, Model UN, debate, and, of course, the Bardvark, to name a few. At the club fair on September 19th, you can survey all of Bard’s extracurriculars and eat the snacks the upperclassmen have lovingly baked for you (in exchange for writing your name down on a sign-up sheet). If you can’t find a club you want to join, you can always start your own! 

Most importantly: don’t be afraid to ask questions, laugh at your mistakes, or get a little lost (literally and figuratively). Every upperclassman you meet has gone through the same adjustment period, and we’re excited to watch all of you make this place your own. It’s BHSEC tradition to foster a strong connection between older and younger students, from mixed-grade sports teams to our CLAW tutoring center. Feel free to ask the upperclassmen for advice! Just don’t send us essays for proofreading at 3 AM during finals week. 

Love,
Marti