In this exclusive interview, The Bullblog caught up with Jaclyn Freshman, TC ’16, to see how she’s dealing with being a sophomore.
BB: How does it feel to be a sophomore?
JF: I’m facing a bit of an identity crisis . . . During Camp Yale, when only freshmen had dining hall access, I really began to identify with my Freshman roots. When my friends complained about the rush of freshmen ruining parties, I felt a stronger tie to my sophomore affiliation. It’s been a confusing time for me, but I’m more well-rounded now, and I find that my freshman roots really inform my view of today’s sophomore world.
BB: Do you have any plans to change your last name?
JF: Sure, I’ve thought about it. It would be the most logical thing to do, right? I was pretty close to changing my name to Jaclyn Sophomore this year, but then I realized that I don’t like the negative connotation attached to the word sophomoric. Plus, Jaclyn Sophomore just doesn’t have the same ring…
BB: Are you going to use your last name to cheat your way into the Freshman BBQ, Screw, seminars, etc.?
JF: Maybe. Definitely for Freshman Holiday Dinner. And don’t judge me–you would do it too.
BB: What’s your family like?
JF: I have three older brothers who have all faced the same struggles that I’m currently going through. It was a tough time for them too, but it’s encouraging to know that they all graduated from college relatively emotionally intact.
BB: How do you feel about the number fifteen?
JF: The Freshman family doesn’t like to speak of the number fifteen. Despite the negative association, we are a family with a very healthy diet, and we don’t gain fifteen pounds every year.
BB: Has your name ever gotten you into any trouble?
JF: Facebook wouldn’t let me use my real name on my account because they insisted that “Freshman” was a fake last name. I went by my first and middle name, “Jaclyn Rose,” for a few years, and then finally, before college, scanned a copy of my passport and sent it to the Facebook support team to prove Freshman was my real last name.
BB: Do people ever get confused?
JF: Whenever I go up to register for something, and they ask for my name, they repeatedly scold me for telling them my year instead of my name. ”We know you’re a Freshman, but what’s your name?” It usually takes around four tries before they understand.
BB: Are you on Instagram?
JF: No, I’m not.
She seems okay, but she’s definitely struggling with the burden of her last name. Next time you see her, just give her a pat on the back and shout “FRESHMAN!” She’ll luv that.