I get asked a lot about what it’s like going to a women’s college. Here's the experience in 10 points, plus three answered FAQs:
1. It is cleaner than any other historical, large, residential facility holding over 2,000 people you’ll ever see.
2. There is a refreshing abundance of manners, politeness, kindness, common sense, a universally accepted basic human decency.
People hold doors. People apologize when they’re in your way, or bump into you. They warn you about whatever unfortunate thing they just discovered, even if they’re shy: “The coffee’s in the cooler.” “They said it’ll open in 20.” “Hon, your shoelace is untied.” “Careful of the black ice!” etc.
Students are shockingly nice. They're friendly, conversational, reasonable, brilliant, emotionally intelligent, academically dedicated, mature, and down-to-earth. You don’t notice how much the world is lacking those things until you’re surrounded by them and it’s lovely.
3. You unlearn the internalized misogyny of Girl Hate and it’s an epiphanic experience.
4. You see your fears and insecurities mirrored in people that are smart and worthy, so you tell them to cut it out because they’re smart and worthy, and then you start to understand why you’re smart and worthy.
5. You're surrounded by immensely valuable accepted truths: protect girls! celebrate girls! defend girls! support girls! (<- Take notes).
6. You learn to genuinely enjoy the company of other women and think of women as "people". Which shouldn’t be radical, but it is.
7. People look out for each other. People are always looking out for you, even if they don’t know you.
8. It puts women in an environment where they feel prioritized and supported and good enough, in a community that cares about being good and kind and fun and genuine, in a space where everyone has a place at the table.
9. You eventually just want to destroy anyone who thinks women should socialized to self-minimize and doubt and apologize for their ideas.
10. You learn one critical thing: when women are confidant and own their space and are empowered and fearless and unapologetic, beautiful things happen.
Three questions I get asked the most:
What’s it like having no men around?
There are men around, so there’s that. Second of all, not all of our students identify as women --- there’s a wonderful trans and nonbinary population in our student body. There are male students from other colleges in the five college consortium that are in your classes. Half the faculty is men. There are male audits enrolled on campus. There are always men walking their dogs, hiking the trails, exploring campus, fishing in the lake, or visiting their loved ones. Male friends and partners often stay overnight in the rooms. It’s not an anti-male campus, and it’s not like you’re in an Amazonian void (although that kind of sounds fun, to be honest).
With that said, there are many spaces where the community is women. It's wonderful. Please see above.
What’s the sexuality spectrum like?
Just as it is anywhere --- it’s a spectrum. It's a diverse campus in that regard. There is a LGBTQIA community full of meaningful organizations and workshops that are hosted as part of one of many efforts to create diversity, inclusion, awareness, and acceptance. There are straight students, bi students, lesbian students, asexual students, et cetera.
What’s it like politically?
There are both groups for student republicans and student democrats, but like the entire surrounding region, is generally liberal. There is a significant part of campus life dedicated to social justice. Mount Holyoke is proud of its international student population and protective of their right to continue to be a safe and supported part of our community. Race, sexuality, gender identity, international status, and college policy are all very important in political campus life. It’s closest “sister” as a school is that politically very similar to that of Smith College.
Is it weird?
No. It's amazing and transformative and enlightening -- just as college should be. The biggest difference to co-ed schools is that here, everyone has a voice and a space and a place at the table. It is beautiful, respectful, quiet, and safe.