As their first year at Duke winds down, we’re checking in with our Trinity undergrads to see how they navigated the challenges of campus life, coursework and newfound independence. Four common themes emerged across their individual experiences — balance, adjustment, connections and growth — shaping a year defined by new beginnings and meaningful discoveries.
Drew's first-semester nerves are long gone, replaced by a quiet confidence now that he’s found his rhythm and “a great group of friends.”
Drew Smith’s first-semester nerves are long gone, replaced by a quiet confidence now that he’s found his rhythm and “a great group of friends.”
Inching toward an Economics major, he’s keeping an open mind and exploring a few more Political Science courses before making a decision, while continuing to make the most of Trinity’s diverse academic offerings. His Intro to Stats class “was so much fun,” and Marine Megafauna, which he took with some of his friends, broadened his views on the natural world in ways he didn’t expect.
“I'm from the West Coast and grew up very familiar with orcas,” he shares, “but learning about the big marine life that exists on the East Coast gave me a totally different perspective and appreciation.”
Smith’s new outlook also extended beyond his coursework. Acknowledging that he grew up in an insular-ish community in Oregon, Smith is excited to be part of the larger Duke community. “I’m constantly meeting people from so many backgrounds and parts of the world,” he shares. “As my peers continue to share their stories and experiences, I’m appreciative of the different perspectives that coexist on campus.”
He's the first to admit that in the fall, he had some serious tunnel vision and put too much of a priority on tests and grades to the point of missing out on much of the social side of college. “I kind of overcompensated by locking myself in my room and studying,” he recalls. “This semester, I focused on understanding my subjects rather than setting unhealthy expectations of perfect grades — and I learned so much more.” Smith also credits his friends with encouraging him to branch out of his comfort zone and find a healthy life balance.
Between joining clubs, forming friendships and juggling two campus jobs, she’s spent her first year diving into everything Duke has to offer, while also learning some important lessons about balance, identity and what it means to adapt.
Amylyn DePaz-DePaz hit the ground running when she arrived at Duke. Between joining clubs, forming friendships and juggling two campus jobs, she’s spent her first year diving into everything Duke has to offer, while also learning some important lessons about balance, identity and what it means to adapt.
Coming to Duke, DePaz-DePaz felt confident in her academic skills. Despite being at the top of her class in high school, college brought on new challenges that didn’t always respond to her tried-and-tested high school strategies.
“I came in thinking, I know what to do, because I was top of my class,” she says. “But then I applied the same thing here, and it didn’t work in the same way. Having that adaptability and being able to take a step back has been a skill that I wasn’t used to employing as often because I had my own systems.”
That willingness to reassess and adjust has helped DePaz-DePaz stay grounded while navigating Duke’s academic intensity, and she’s still firmly committed to her long-term goal of becoming a doctor.
“Nothing has changed there,” she says. “I don’t want to say it’s locked in, but I think that, if anything, last semester has shown me that I have potential to pursue that track.”
Beyond the classroom, DePaz-DePaz has found meaning and connection in her campus jobs, especially through her work at the Duke Campus Farm. As a student coordinator, she organizes events that bring other students out to the farm to learn more about sustainability and the history of the land.
When Tobias Williams first decided to come to Duke, the student-athlete wasn’t sure how he’d fit in.
When Tobias Williams first decided to come to Duke, the student-athlete wasn’t sure how he’d fit in. Coming from Minnesota to a high-powered academic environment with a strong sports culture, he expected his world to revolve around teammates and training.
“My expectation when coming to a school like Duke as a student-athlete was that I would only be friends with people on my team and be looked at differently by the rest of the student body,” he says. “I find that to be the opposite of what has happened.”
Instead, he found friends everywhere he looked, not just on the track team. “I have met so many good people that don't play sports and many of my best friends at Duke are people that don't play sports.”
Williams’ experience shows how Duke’s environment encourages connection across disciplines, identities and interests. It’s a place where friendships form in the classroom, on the quad, or even during a rare Southern snowfall, one of his favorite memories from his first year.
“In a way, it brought me back to Minnesota,” he said. “I don't want to say I miss the Minnesota weather, but it was really nice to experience some snow without the negative temperatures.”
So far, Tobias is still planning on majoring in Economics. “My major, my summer plans and even what I want to do post-grad has stayed relatively the same, which I think is pretty rare among Duke students,” he said.
Looking back, Daniella Freedman’s first year at Duke feels like a blur — despite how slowly it unfolded in real time.
Looking back, Daniella Freedman’s first year at Duke feels like a blur — despite how slowly it unfolded in real time. “In the fall, everything was a new experience for me,” she explains. “There were quick turnarounds and adjustments, but as I met people, established my habits and got into the academic swing of things, life became more stable in the spring.”
One adjustment came when registering for spring classes. Dealing with pneumonia and trying to snag courses early in the morning, her pre-planned schedule didn’t work out, forcing her to choose classes on the fly. In hindsight, Freedman knows it worked out for the best. “I think my original schedule would have been too stressful because I tried to pack a lot of things into spring. But no matter what classes I have, everything in the first year fulfills a requirement.”
Still an English major, leaning more toward journalism, she continued her healthy, holistic approach to her classes. She confides that shifting her focus from chasing the highest grade to understanding the coursework sparked a deeper curiosity. “I find myself wanting to learn more about a subject rather than just what I need for the test.”
Speaking of tests, what grade would the now rising sophomore give herself for her first year at Duke? “A solid 98 because while there’s always room for improvement, I’m proud of the mindset I had this year — even if I didn't accomplish everything I set out to.”
What’s it really like being a student in Trinity College of Arts & Sciences? As Duke welcomes its 100th class, we’re launching a four-year documentary series that chronicles the experiences of student life at Trinity — the good, the bad and the (hopefully) not so ugly. We’ll be telling stories and sharing photos, videos and social media updates as we follow four of our undergrads from move-in day to graduation, and everything in between.
