Planning my trip to MIT

Talk of MIT and I visualize a place of academic rigor where knowledge is created every moment, a place where top minds come together and work hard to contribute and deliver. On the other hand, talk of Boston, and, as a sports freak, I instantly recognize New England Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Boston Marathon and so on. When I got the admission offer from MIT and I realized I was going to Boston, I wondered if I was going to a place where both worlds of academics and sports co-exist, and whether I would have time to experience both at the same time.

Journey begins

 Within the first couple of weeks on campus, I could sense what “drinking from the firehose,” a term commonly used by cohorts, means. True to my expectation, I could feel the heat of assignments, deadlines and deliverables. While I was swamped by the class or social activities, I needed to resume my work-out regimen, which has worked as an excellent stress blaster for me during the 19 years of my career.

A trip to MIT Sports Center

Boston’s winter doesn’t offer a motivating environment for an outdoor work-out, but I was sure that MIT would have excellent indoor sports and fitness facilities. Walking from Ashdown (my residence at MIT) to the SCM lab, I used to pass the Al and Barrie Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center, popularly known as the “Z-center”. On a Friday evening, I casually walked through the Z-center and I was amazed by the sports facilities. Covering over 11,600 m², the three-storied building includes multi-lane 50-meter lap pool, multi-activity courts, squash courts, ice-rink, and highly advanced work out equipment. And at 9 PM on a Friday evening, it was bubbling with activity!

Can’t wait to start

I inquired at the Reception Desk and realized that it’s free for MIT students. No – not free – I have already paid for the membership as part of the admission fee. And it’s open from 0630AM till 1100 PM, which means that there can’t be any conflict with my schedule. Next Monday, I started my day with a trip to the Z-center, did a 30-minute workout on the treadmill and 30 minutes of swimming. Wow! What a start to the day. The Z-center has excellent showers and locker facilities and even provides towels, and I ended up using the shower more here rather than at my residence.

Strategy that works:

 “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”- Will Durant

My morning work-out helped me set the pace for the day and I could feel the energy lasting me throughout the day. Soon it became a part of my daily routine, a habit that I would like to keep.  Anders Hansen in his book The Real Happy Pill has offered a scientific explanation of how physical exercise produces a more efficient brain.  He says that a regular exercise habit benefits “the amount no less than a mental upgrade.” The book highlights that the impact is far more pronounced when you are aging and being in your forties. I felt this was a prescription for me. While I wouldn’t have known how I perform otherwise, the realization that I can sustain the pressure and stay active till late evening prompts me to endorse that this strategy works.

Bonus – learn new sports and be part of amazing clubs (for free): –  

Then I also learnt that MIT Physical Education & Wellness office offers a variety of courses to students and I can earn credit while learning new skills. A variety of courses are available, spanning from archery to running, but I could select only one per term. I ended up with ice-skating and tennis classes in the last two terms – Wow! :). I also realized there are multiple sports clubs which offer a team-based training environment mixed with fun. I enrolled in a triathlon club and was able get a chance to train with an amazing team and get valuable tips from the team coach.

All good things must come to an end and as I walk towards the end of the semester, I feel blessed to have had an opportunity to experience MIT student life, which is full of action (literally). I’ll sign off with the realization that a simple time-tested strategy — “Work hard, play hard” — really works.

What do you want to do if you feel exhausted after a hectic day? Do you want to do something to kill your stress? Our suggestion is to seek a sport that interests you at MIT.

We are here to share with you some interesting activities!

Volleyball: This sport is not as commonly played in America as in other countries, but if you have a strong passion for it, we have good news! There is a club at MIT where you can be trained by coaches in all the basic techniques, ranging from reception to serving skills. If you want to become an outside spiker, you will find that there are many opportunities for you to improve your jump height or attack skills. One thing to remember is to keep a regular schedule to practice with your team to ensure the best cohesion!

Picture: Volleyball Court at Z-Center

Soccer: There are plenty of fields at MIT. If you just want to play soccer for fun, you can simply join a pick-up game.  If you want to play in a more formal way, you can team up with others to join a league. Based on the size of the team, there are two types of league: 11 v 11 and 7 v 7. Each type of league is divided into A, B and C categories based on skill level. Level A is for more competitive players, B is the intermediate level and C is for those who just want to have fun. In addition, the teams are co-ed.  Both men and women are welcome to join!

Picture: SCMr 2019 Soccer Team

Fitness:  If you like to work out, there are also several options. You can do so in your dormitory. Most of the dormitories have fitness rooms. However, we would say that the best place is the Z-center, where you can find almost every type of equipment you want. What’s more, the space is large, 125,000 square feet in total. You do not usually need to wait for the equipment you want to use.

You can also swim, run, or play basketball at the Z-center. It is such a great place! Do not overlook it!

Picture: Gymnasium at Z-Center

Badminton: This is a super fun activity since both pairs will try to gain and maintain the attack, smashing downwards when the opportunity arises. There are approximately 6 members in our group, and we find that playing this sport is an effective way to relieve stress and tighten your friendships at MIT. However, the courts at the Z-center are often crowded on the weekend, so we must have a good “strategy” to reserve a court for our group!

Picture: SCMrs at Badminton Court at Z-Center

Running: Running along the Charles River is an appealing activity to help you “recharge your batteries” for a new day! It is good for both your physical health and mental health. When we are struggling with some problems, it is frequently our choice to run along this wonderful river. You will feel relieved after enjoying the spectacular views. And, for those who like endurance running, you could consider participating in one of the annual running events in Boston, for example The Boston Marathon. The Charles River is a perfect place to practice!

Picture: Running and Biking Trail along Charles River

All in all, physical activities can add to your wonderful experiences at MIT and help you build long-lasting relationships with others from different departments who have similar interests!  Physical activities will change you for the better.  Make exercise a regular part of your life at MIT!

Wait! Wow! Is this how it feels to be a student at MIT?  No projects?  No assignments? No stress? 

Well, yes, being a student is a richness by itself; moreover, a semester at MIT is a stupendous luxurious journey.

All that time I had a luxurious feeling. You want to know what triggered this feeling. Join me for a week of my life at MIT.

Monday:  how do I start my week?  A full schedule of classes from 11 to 7 pm.  What is special about my 11 am class?  It is a physical education class for 2 credits, I selected jogging (biggest achievement before class was running for 5 minutes continuously). It is a pass/fail. Can’t skip any sessions. Who can afford to fail at MIT? Now I run the 5k.

Tuesday: it was a long day at school, tired. Go home and rest? This is not an option. It is Chinese New Year; we will make dumplings and watch movies to celebrate this tradition.

Wednesday: I took no morning classes, but I could not fit the bi-weekly group meeting for system dynamics class into my schedule, so I have to start my day at 8 am with brainstorming and discussing systems behaviors.  My biggest support for this time is the giant complicated coffee machine in the Lab.

Thursday: it’s 4 pm. I have to run to Harvard. I am taking an elective on political economy. If you are curious about a topic not available at MIT, cross register for an elective at Harvard.

Friday: public speaking and writing classes. Oops! I cannot do only modeling. I have to speak up.  Hard task done; now it is music time! There is a jazz concert with a special guest a famous trumpeter. You don’t like jazz, wait for next week: the MIT Symphony Orchestra is performing Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No.5  in E-Flat Major.”

Saturday: got to get new data for my capstone. Yes, in addition to all the courses, I work on a capstone with a randomly assigned partner who became a close friend. We worked hard, but we indulged ourselves with an outing to try a new restaurant with new cuisine every week. The only constant is the Italian glass of wine (only if you carry your ID to show that you are not forever less than 21).

Sunday: is this my day off? Well that was my plan, but oh no! I have to take care of my room, do laundry, fill my fridge and catch up on the assignments. 

They say MIT is drinking from a firehose. I say it is a Sunday Lebanese Meze.

As a learner, knowledge is my Ferrari; as an explorer, a diverse environment is my mega yacht; as a relator, friendship is my Monaco summerhouse.

During this semester, the confidence I gained and the people I met are a lifetime gain that outweighs Boston schizophrenic weather, late night work, and the 6 months away from family.

Long story short: the MIT experience is MY NEW  PRIVATE JET.

Shilpa’s On Campus Perspective:

When you’re at MIT, there is always some assignment to submit, a paper to write, or a test to study for. But it’s not all work and no play. In a few years, when I look back at my time at MIT, I’m going to fondly remember all the memories made here on campus.

Orientation

While the first two weeks at MIT will be filled with workshops and classes, there’s plenty of events organized by the Graduate Student Council that help you get to know your peers better. Some of the highlights for us include a hiking trip to New Hampshire and a Boat Cruise Dance Party by the Boston skyline.

The Muddy Charles Pub

Done with an exam at 11:30 AM and feel like a drink? Head to the Muddy Charles! At this graduate bar, you never know who you may share a table with – an astrophysicist, nuclear engineer or an entrepreneur.

SCM Class of 2019 celebrating the end of the semester at Central Square’s Middlesex Lounge

C-functions

A monthly celebration of Diverse Cultures, organized by the various student clubs at Sloan, ranging from Japan to Latin America to Africa. Festivities may include cultural performances like song and dance put on by members of the student body.  Events generally finish up with a can’t miss after-party at some local destination.

Graduate Dorm Events

When you don’t feel like stepping out of the dorm (which is most of the time), head to one of the dance parties where you can dance from 10 PM till whenever your legs give out. Alternately, get together with your friends to enjoy a game of ‘Secret Hitler’ (PS: you will not trust your friends again)

SCM Class of 2019 crashing the photobooth at a Sid-Pac sponsored dance party

Physical Education Classes

MIT has one of the best recreation and fitness centers: Z-centre. Here you can sign up for PE classes with your classmates ranging from golf, squash, Zumba, BollyX, Taekwondo and many more.

Free food!

Once you’re at MIT, you’ll notice that most of the events provide free food. You can head to any of the advertised events or if you don’t want to cook all through the semester, join the free-food mailing list

Brian’s Off Campus Perspective:

While you’ll certainly take part in many of the MIT-related social activities during your time on campus, please don’t forget to get off campus and explore the local area!  For many of you, this might be the only time you’ll ever live in Cambridge/Boston. With that in mind, you definitely want to try and enjoy some of the great things that the area has to offer.

Having lived in the area for the past several years, I can attest that there is a wealth of great options on a range of different interests.  To help get you started when you arrive on campus, I’ve provided a short list of fun things to see and do during your limited time here: 

Into the arts?

• Want to see a play, but don’t have the time to go to Broadway? Support Cambridge’s local theater company and catch a play at the Central Square Theater
• Enjoy the movies? Take the MBTA Red Line north a couple of stops to Davis Square and enjoy the cinema at the Somerville Theater
• More of a live music fan? The Sinclair and The Middle East both host tons of acts throughout the year of various musical genres

Down to exercise?

• Hone your urban rock climbing skills at Somerville’s  Brooklyn Boulders– and then add that to your resume’s “Skills/Special Interest” section
• Take in the Boston skyline while safely walking or jogging along the Charles River Esplanade
• Get an annual Bluebikes membership ($35 w/MIT student discount) and cruise the streets in style (also doubles as a faster means to class when you miss the shuttle bus!)
• See more of Cambridge by foot (more specifically, sneaker) by running one of the Cambridge 5K Series themed road races

Want to be a Boston sports fan?

• Cheer on the city’s teams! Catch a Red Sox(baseball) game (April-Oct) at the iconic Fenway Park or a Bruins(hockey) and Celtics(basketball) game at the TD Garden (Oct-June). (FYI: Venues also double as places to cheer against teams from New York)

Looking for nightlife?

• Dance the stresses of student life away at the Middlesex Lounge (First Alternate: Central Square’s Phoenix Landing, Second Alternate: Harvard Square’s Hong Kong)
• Grab a craft cocktail at a local speakeasy – Union Square’s backbar, Central Square’s Brick & Mortar, or Davis Square’s Saloon)

Need caffeine to start the day or power you through a capstone working session?

• Bring your own thermos for a reduced priced coffee at flour bakery + café! FYI – the snacks and pastries there are dangerously good!
• Looking for more of an “Italian café experience” – then look no further than Central Square’s Caffé Nero

Lastly, I’ll close with making a plug for The Boston Calendar.  This is a great place to start when trying to figure out fun or interesting things to do for the week/weekend.

We hope you’ve all enjoyed this post, and more importantly, are able to enjoy some of its recommendations.  Till next time!