Hi, Middlebury Community! 

I’m Jane Kelley, a sophomore majoring in international politics and economics with a focus in Italian. As I settle into the spring semester, I’ve found a rhythm to my days—though some are busier than others. Thursdays are my busiest, so I thought I’d take you along for the ride!

Early Start: Spin Class Wake-Up Call
I’m not a morning person, but I make an exception on Thursdays because my friend teaches an 8:15 a.m. spin class. Her energy and great choreography make it worth the early wake-up. After 45 minutes of sweating it out, we rush to clean up, shower, and grab a quick breakfast before heading to class. It’s always a mad dash, but so far, we’ve managed to make it on time—fingers crossed that continues!

Back-to-Back Classes in Axinn
My first class is Introduction to International Politics, a lecture-based course in the Axinn Center. It’s one of the larger classes on campus, but our weekly discussion sections keep it interactive. Luckily, my next class—Introduction to Microeconomics—is in the same room, so I use the 40-minute break in between to catch up on assignments in a quiet study spot upstairs.

My microeconomics professor, Sunder Ramaswamy, has been teaching here since the ’90s, and you can tell—he makes the material engaging, blending theory with real-world examples. Everyone who takes his class has great things to say!

A Quick Lunch and a Data Lab Dive
After class, I have a short window for lunch, so I head to Proctor Dining Hall—conveniently close to my next stop. My friends and I grab food quickly before I rush off to my Economic Statistics lab in the Davis Library basement.

Lab sessions are hands-on, and we work with a program called Stata to input and analyze data. Sitting next to my friend, we compare notes while the professor circulates, answering questions. It’s a productive session, but by the time it ends, I’m definitely feeling the effects of my early morning workout.

Afternoon Commute and Work at the Advancement Office
Since I haven’t had time to move my car from Ridgeline parking lot, I catch a ride with a friend who finishes class at the same time. Last semester, I was the driver—dropping him at the athletics complex before heading to work. Now, he returns the favor, giving me a lift to pick up my car before heading to his practice.

Once I clear the inevitable layer of snow off my car (winter in Vermont!), I drive to the Advancement Office, where I work until about 4:30 p.m.

Study Sessions and Dinner with Friends
After work, I head to the Grille in McCullough Student Center to do homework. It’s a great spot—good background music, snacks from MidXpress, and friends dropping by to chat. Around 5:30 p.m., we walk over to Ross Dining Hall for an early dinner. Eating early is a game-changer on days like this when lunch was rushed.

Evening Wind-Down and Homework
After dinner, I take an hour for myself—whether that’s calling my parents, taking a quick nap, or watching an episode of a show. By 7 p.m., I’m back to work, usually tackling assignments for another two hours. Thanks to my breaks throughout the day, my workload at night is manageable.

By 9 p.m., I’m winding down. Some nights, I visit friends for a quick game of Mario Kart or a movie night—especially when I have an Italian film assignment for class. Other times, I just focus on organizing my week or getting ahead on readings.

On to Friday!
I have busy Fridays—two discussion sections and a lecture, so I try to get to bed by 11:30 p.m. or midnight.

The ideal Middlebury March day would include some skiing, preferably at the Snowbowl, but I’ll have to wait for the weekend to indulge in that hobby. Aside from the lack of Snowbowl time, I’d like to think it’s a pretty good routine!