Dagmara Bastik ’72

I still remember sitting in Wellesley’s college chapel at Fall Freshman Convocation and hearing we should anticipate upcoming academic challenges as our minds would be “stretched.” As a public school graduate, I particularly noted the warning that Wellesley would be more difficult for us. More positively, the speaker predicted private school advantages would fade by second year when we would stand on academically level footing.

Hearing that message was quite sobering. However, it provided straightforward, practical advice. I remember my first year as my hardest, especially first semester. On reflection, I can honestly say I enjoyed every class I took at Wellesley, except for two where I struggled, both first semester courses: English Poets and Introductory Physics. Quite discouraged, second semester I dropped pre-med. Sophomore year, I tried again. Perseverance paid off. I finished a biology major with two acceptances, a wait list, and an easy first year in medical school.