The discipline of archaeology is by no means a simple nor singular study of the past Essay Example For Students

The control of prehistoric studies is in no way, shape or form a straightforward nor particular investigation of the past Essay Because of the wide scope of proof inside the archeological record, from natural to inorganic, a wide range of techniques and approaches are taken so as to manage the wide range of contrasting proof. By and by, the investigation of stoneware is without question one of the most significant errands taken on by any classicist. An incredible abundance of data can be picked up from the investigation of stoneware, regardless of its lifeless state. It is for this very explanation that this exposition will endeavor to investigate and clarify the large number of study that archeologists apply to ceramics. As has just been expressed, there are numerous exercises to be gained from the investigation of stoneware. These exercises change in both practice and utility. Be that as it may, all have their influence in sorting out the past. Much can be gained from stoneware some of which is straightforwardly connected to the ceramics itself. Other data can be discovered which is more construed than all else. This in this manner makes the investigation of ceramics one of two sections. We will compose a custom exposition on The order of prehistoric studies is in no way, shape or form a basic nor solitary investigation of the past explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now Right off the bat, the physical investigation of stoneware, which will be managed in the initial segment of this exposition, and besides the investigation of the social knowledge earthenware gives empowering archeologists to comprehend the general public from which it came. Maybe the most evident method of examining stoneware is by the unaided eye yet its conspicuousness ought not cheapen its significance. By watching the physical traits of any antiquity an extraordinary arrangement can be recounted its production just as its maker. The act of typology is of incredible use while breaking down stoneware. By watching the shape and size of any antiquity it is regularly conceivable to date that relic inside a particular scope of dates. The size of this range is anyway not generally as exact as one would want it to be. In any case, by utilizing typology an informed speculation can be made with respect to the formation of a bit of earthenware this would then be able to be additionally applied to the site itself where the ceramics was exhumed. Assuming notwithstanding, the bit of earthenware is enlivened in any capacity the date of creation can be progressively exact. The explanation behind this expansion in exactness is very straightforward. Despite the fact that the state of a bit of earthenware is a significant factor in deciding its date through typology it is lamentably not especially inclined to change through time, in contrast to design. The state of a water vessel for the most part continues as before in a particular culture because of the idea of its motivation, it is in this manner significantly more valuable if a beautification is available on the vessel since it is substantially more helpless to change. Enriching highlights may change in a couple of ages and in this way are supposed to be sequentially touchy. It is therefore that enlivening highlights can limit the range wherein an ancient rarity can be dated. As helpful as typology ends up being it is sadly just reasonable when adequate exploration has been done in the specific territory which is being contemplated. Qualities from one culture can't really be applied to another. It is accordingly unrealistic to expect that a little tight jar found in Asia could be dated alongside one of comparative qualities found in Europe. Not all physical investigation of stoneware have such complexities. Exceptionally essential perceptions can inform an incredible arrangement regarding the creation of a bit of ceramics. Albeit regular spot today, the act of tossing pots on a wheel was just presented after roughly 3400 B. C. Past this date a procedure of building pots up utilizing a progression of earth curls was utilized. This effectively recognizable distinction can promptly give the bit of earthenware an end post quem. It likewise gives an away from of the innovation accessible and utilized by the skilled worker. The physical qualities of ceramics can likewise be utilized to distinguish considerably better subtleties of its creation. On the off chance that the outside of a bit of stoneware is vitrified or coated it tends to be accepted that it was terminated in a warmth more than 900 degrees Celsius which is just conceivable in an encased oven. he procedure of terminating earthenware in an encased furnace produces total oxidization of the mud and along these lines a uniform shading can be seen on the completed item. .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b , .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .postImageUrl , .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .focused content region { min-stature: 80px; position: relative; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b , .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b:hover , .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b:visited , .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b:active { border:0!important; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .clearfix:after { content: ; show: table; clear: both; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b { show: square; change: foundation shading 250ms; webkit-progress: foundation shading 250ms; width: 100%; darkness: 1; progress: obscurity 250ms; webkit-progress: murkiness 250ms; foundation shading: #95A5A6; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b:active , .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b:hover { haziness: 1; change: mistiness 250ms; webkit-progress: murkiness 250ms; foundation shading: #2C3E50; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .focused content region { width: 100%; position: relat ive; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .ctaText { outskirt base: 0 strong #fff; shading: #2980B9; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: striking; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; text-embellishment: underline; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .postTitle { shading: #FFFFFF; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: 600; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; width: 100%; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .ctaButton { foundation shading: #7F8C8D!important; shading: #2980B9; fringe: none; outskirt span: 3px; box-shadow: none; text dimension: 14px; text style weight: intense; line-tallness: 26px; moz-fringe range: 3px; text-adjust: focus; text-beautification: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-tallness: 80px; foundation: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/modules/intelly-related-posts/resources/pictures/straightforward arrow.png)no-rehash; position: supreme; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b:hover .ctaButton { foundation shading: #34495E!important; } .u8022dfd 49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b .focused content { show: table; tallness: 80px; cushioning left: 18px; top: 0; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b-content { show: table-cell; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; cushioning right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-adjust: center; width: 100%; } .u8022dfd49fad8e80fcc39eddd764328b:after { content: ; show: square; clear: both; } READ: The Call Of The Wild EssayA shady or smudged surface demonstrates fragmented oxidization which is the result of lacking time or warmth in terminating, this is commonly the consequence of a bit of ceramics terminated in an open furnace. It is additionally conceivable to apply progressively logical strategies to build up subtleties of a bit of potterys make. Filtering electron microscopy can uncover slight changes in the microstructure of earth warmed more than 900 degrees Celsius. The consideration paid to how hot the furnace was may appear from the start unbalanced to its value yet in truth it is critical. By setting up at what temperature the ceramics was terminated at a reasonable picture can be painted of keeps an eye on handle of pyrotechnology at the time being referred to. The structure of encased ovens thusly is a significant stage in keeps an eye on improvement. By evaluating the strategy for fabricate a prehistorian can uncover the mechanical improvement of the gathering of individuals from which the earthenware originated from. Albeit simply watching ceramics with the unaided eye can give a lot of data it has additionally been represented that progressively logical strategies for study are of incredible use too. The ongoing improvement of such techniques has changed the field of vision of the paleologist and empowered him to see the past with more noteworthy detail. The utilization of substance and infrared spectroscopy has empowered archeologists to set up subtleties of the weight control plans of the old individuals under investigation. Buildup left in or on ceramics can be taken a gander at under a magnifying lens to uncover the substance of a pot a large number of years back. As expressed in Renfrew Bahn a container found in Western Iraq, after concoction and infrared spectroscopy was found to contain tartaric corrosive which demonstrated the most punctual appearance of wine in the eating routine of any human race. Obviously this specific bit of proof goes farther than just showing what an antiquated gathering of individuals may have eaten or flushed. It has social ramifications as well. It derives that, because of the idea of liquor, the antiquated gathering which the vessel originated from were engaged with get-togethers where wine would be flushed. This utilization of science inside paleohistory is in no way, shape or form atypical. Logical investigation may appear to be cold and very unfit to reveal insight into the individuals of the past however this isn't the situation. The presence of grain impressions or grains themselves in or on antiquated earthenware loan themselves impeccably to science. From this much can be educated of the way of life of the old individuals being referred to. By examining the shape and size of old grains under a magnifying instrument archeologists can pick up information on oat family life among early people groups. Once more, likewise with buildup in the container expressed before, data in regards to the way of life of the gathering from which the earthenware originated from can de found through the logical consequences of such practices as grain investigation through microscopy, spectroscopy and substance testing. The development and taming of oats shows and advance in keeps an eye on handle of his general surroundings. Oil bearing seeds found in or on earthenware can likewise help give a knowledge into the life of the gathering who made the ceramics. Oil bearing seeds which give flax can be utilized to make materials. These apparently useless remains frequently found in or on earthenware are in reality of principal significance to the

Justice and Mercy in the Merchant of Venice Essay Sample free essay sample

In the council room scene of The Merchant of Venice. justness is given to and fro between the Christians and Shylock. in contrast to pardon. Shylock can't encounter any contrition for Antonio and the Christians in light of the disdain he has for them. Tenacity and disdain can do misfortune ; the ethically better have a privilege than justness. As the test scene starts. the Duke talks roughly Shylock as a cool heel. unequipped for mercy ( 4. 1 3-6 ) . The Christians consider Shylock stubborn and pitiless and will only specify to him as â€Å"the Jew† . Shylock does non have respect and has neer gotten respect from the Christians. so consequently. Shylock is non tolerant toward the Christians. In spite of what the Duke had only said about Shylock. at the point when Shylock enters the council the Duke discloses to him that everybody anticipates that Shylock should demo forgiveness and non take Antonio’s substance ( 15-34 ) . In any case. Shylock went to council prepared to take Antonio’s substance that he is qualified for blending to the agreement. We will compose a custom paper test on Equity and Mercy in the Merchant of Venice Essay Sample or on the other hand any comparable point explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page Usurer does non want to be paid with ducats. non even multiple times each piece much as what he loaned to Antonio. Shylock just needs from the Christians what was guaranteed to him by law. Bassanio offers Shylock 6,000 ducats on the three 1000 ducats. so Shylock does non travel through with taking a lb of Antonio’s substance. Bassanio is trying to secure Antonio and pass on him to justness in light of the fact that Antonio had no influence over the smashing of his boats. Bassanio said that he is happy to pay multiple times what he previously offered and put his manus. caput and chest on the line as security ( 204-07 ) . In spite of the fact that the Christians do non talk deferentially to Shylock. they are defenseless and completely at his pardon. In any case, Shylock does non experience any ground to demo leniency. In light of Shylock’s refusal of Bassanio’s offer. The Duke approaches Shylock â€Å"How shalt 1000s trust in mercy. rendering none† ( 87 ) ? Shylock does non accept he is making anything off base. He is simply taking what is genuinely his. what is legitimate. Shylock contrasts supporting his agreement and the Christians supporting their entitlement to deal with slaves by the by way they feel. Shylock stated: imagine a scenario in which he were to express the Christians non to work their slaves so hard and permit them get hitched their young ladies and permit them eat a similar supplement. what might the Christians state? Shylock said that they would state â€Å"the slaves are ours† . hugeness that the Christians accept that they are allowed to deal with the slaves by and by way they feel since they own them. Shylock feels as if he has a similar option to hold his agreement with Antonio and said that on the off chance that he is rejected his privilege so t he Torahs of Venice have no approval ( 88-102 ) . The Duke sends for an equity from Padua for more distant entrance on the case of this agreement. Steping in for that equity is an ongoing visitant of his. Balthazar. who is truly Portia masked as a grown-up male to try to help Antonio. In any case. despite the fact that she is on Antonio’s side. it seems like she is by and large just to Shylock. When Bassanio requests that the Duke flex the statute with the goal that Shylock does non get his way. Portia interposes. expressing that that is non conceivable in light of the fact that an order can non be changed on the grounds that that would take to numerous awful legitimate conclusions. To this Shylock reacts â€Å"A Daniel semen to sentiment. yea. a Daniel! O insightful juvenile equity. how I do respect thee† ( 218-19 ) ! Shylock is referencing to a shrewd equity named Daniel from the Bible and he implies that the equity accompanies justness. Portia other than qualifies Shylock for the lb of Antonio’s tissue in light of the fact that the cash was non payed back in cut however she demands that Shylock show pardon and to take the cash alternatively.Shylock will non demo mercy. he just needs his agreement to be satisfied. â€Å"By my mind I swear there is no force in the lingua of grown-up male to transform me. I remain here on my bond† ( 235-37 ) . In light of Shylock’s stubbornness. Portia warrants him to take a lb of tissue from Antonio’s chest. what's more, Shylock’s responses to her finding of realities are juvenile since he boasts as though the equity is his ally expressing such things as: â€Å" So says the bond. doth it non. baronial equity? ‘Nearest his heart’â€those are the truly words† ( 248-49 ) . He obviously communicates his contempt for Antonio. Shylock even requests Portia’s request to hold a sawbones return consideration of Antonio’s sore so he does non shed blood to perish demand does the agreement require a sawbones? Portia simply trusts it to be human tolerability. so that Antonio does non expire yet Shylock only reacts with. he can’t happen it in the bond ( 252-257 ) . Shylock is truly satisfied with how the occurrence is going in support of him and despite the fact that on the opposite side of the blade. Antonio is dealing with the finding of certainty excellently. Antonio does non kick or talk with disdain to Shylock. He even thinks about his perish as lucky in light of the fact that he does non hold to populate the rest of his yearss in destitution like most cursed work powers do in the wake of losing their riches ( 261-67 ) . Antonio even attempts to alleviate Bassanio with the goal that he does non experience liable for Antonio expiring for being not able to take care of an obligation for Bassanio’s benefit. Antonio said that he does non apologize paying for Bassanio’s obligation. he said. â€Å"For if the Jew do cut however profound bounty. I’ll wage it right away. with all my heart† ( 275-76 ) . Luckily for Antonio. his humbleness will respect him. Portia reveals to Shylock that he will gain more justness than what he sought after. â€Å"Thyself shalt see the demonstration ; for as 1000 urgest justness. be guaranteed thou shalt have justness more than 1000 desir’st† ( 310-12 ) . Portia said this to Shylock in the wake of expressing Shylock that the agreement does non permit Shylock to hold any of Antonio’s blood. So if Shylock somehow happened to cast any blood. his property would be taken from him by the area of Venice ( 305-07 ) . On the off chance that this be the statute. Shylock submits to taking the cash ( multiple times the credit ) and permitting Antonio travel. Bassanio concurs with giving the cash yet Portia discloses to Shylock that he is non qualified for the cash any more extended on the grounds that he had just denied it publically ( 333-34 ) . Shylock is informed that he should now go through with the agreement and move up the tissue. however, he can only take one lb exactly. no less. no more . non even a small amount of an ounce or Shylock will be slaughtered and his property taken ( 319-327 ) . So justness has turned in the kindness of Antonio and Bassanio now. Portia other than reveals to Shylock that since he had direction to execute Antonio. Antonio’s committed to half of Shylock’s things. while the other half will make a trip to the area and Shylock’s life is in the authorities of the Duke ( 342-58 ) . The Duke. as opposed to Shylock’s inadequacy of pardon. forgivenesss Shylock’s life and relying upon Shylock’s co-activity. he will chop down the sentence of giving the territory half of Shylock’s things to simply an OK ( 363-67 ) . Antonio other than shows leniency. Antonio is willing non to take half of the effects. on the other hand give his half of Shylock’s possessions to Shylock’s child in-law and young lady. As bit of Antonio’s exchange Shylock must go Christian and put his child in-law in his will to have Shylock’s assets when Shylock passes on ( 375-85 ) . Antonio has no activity demoing mercy. In advance. Portia even inquires as to whether he will demo any kindness towards Shylock. The Christians do look ethically better than Shylock. be that as it may, what Portia had done may non hold been straightforward. Portia could hold been doing up the statute about Shylock non having the option to cast a dot of Antonio’s blood. By what other means would you take tissue without throwing blood. The court and Portia was venturing out to let Shylock to cut Antonio before Antonio talked boldly and Humbly ( 259-76 ) . around the clasp when Portia said gain a sawbones to do certain Antonio didn’t dice. So Portia could hold great caused throwing no blood to up. each piece great as the law about surrendering land due to reason to murder. She may hold made up the law that Shylock will perish in the event that he takes any less or to a greater extent a lb of tissue. The law that Shylock must finish the agreement since he previously denied the cash may hold other than been made up. Anybody would hold done likewise in the event that they had Portia’s rapid amusingness however it is still non moral. She cheated Shylock’s justness for Antonio’s. Usurer wound up obtaining nil in the terminal. he was just ready to keep up his life and half of his territory. insofar as he got purified through water a Christian and gave over his possessions to individual he would non want to offer it to. He could hold gotten multiple times the credit at the outset however his tenacity and disdain shielded him from surrendering. On the other hand Portia camouflaged as a lawyer tricked Shylock into procuring nil. The Christians demoed Shylock forgiveness when Shylock demonstrated none however there is non genuineness in their activities. So they are non ethically better than Shylock. only lenient. Plants Cited Greenblatt. Stephen. Cohen. Walter. Howard. Jean E. . Maus. Katharine Eisaman. The Merchantof Venice ( 4. 1 ) . 2008. The Norton Shakespeare. ( Based on the Oxford Edition ) . SecondEdition. New York A ; London: W. W Norton A ; Company. 2008. 1159-68. Print.

Skating or School

Skating or School Before coming to MIT, I had no idea if I wanted to continue skating, training, and competing. Before committing to MIT, I accepted the fact that, as a full-time student as a full-time MIT student, there was the all-to-plausible possibility that I wouldnt have the time, energy, or resources to continue to pursue the sport. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, how I would adapt and adjust to the rigor and intensity of the course load, if I would have any free time at all outside classes, if it was worth it at all, that pursuing skating and MIT meant I would be subpar in both, not able to fully dedicate myself to one or the other. I expected the worst, and accepted the fact that in my 12-year long stint as a figure skater, I had had a fulfilling-enough career, and if choosing MIT meant that I had to give up the sport, that would be just all right, that I would move on and pursue another dream and whatever else the Institute would have in store for me. And yet, here I am, in my third year, still skating, training, and competing. What if I could make both work? Since coming to MIT, Ive been fortunate enough to compete nationally and internationally the past two skating seasons. Still Juniors-age eligible, I competed on the international Junior Grand Prix Circuit in Bratislava, Slovakia, in 2015 and Ostrava, Czech Republic, last fall. Freshmen year, I was the repeat US Junior Mens silver medalist, and this past year I secured a spot at the Senior Nationals with a win at the Eastern Sectionals. I love to compete, and its what drives me through hell weeks on and off the ice. Ive even had the opportunity to perform in shows and exhibitions at Harvard and Dartmouth and even the Rockefeller Center. But I constantly am reminded by the opportunity cost of training and competing full-time. Exams and psets I dont have enough time to study for or complete. Classes I dont take because they dont fit with ice time. Study abroad and exchange programs that dont have access to ice rinks and coaches. UROPs that are cool but not viable with my training schedule. Internship opportunities at inconvenient locations and inflexible work hours. MISTI, GTL, and other IAP and summer opportunities that conflict with competitions and training. Spring Break trips with friends. Ive spent the past two Thanksgivings, Christmases, New Years, and Winter Breaks in Boston, away from home, training. The skating season is year-round, no breaks, hardly any room for vacation or free time. Not even time to visit family. Prior to this summer, I went back home just once since I left for college. On the other end, I dont have enough time to train 6 hours a day, 6 days a week like my other competitors. I have to selectively choose competitions that work with the school calendar. I have to be as ruthless and efficient as I can on the ice just because I dont have the luxury of training all that I need to do. Some days Im only on the ice for 40 minutes and rushing back to campus, picking up lunch and eating it while speed-walking to class. More often than not, I sacrifice my diet as well just because there arent many good convenient food options nearby campus. When Im injured, I dont always have time to get proper treatment and have to nurse it on my own. And then theres the expense of it all. Nothing in the sport is cheap. Each trip to the rink not only is a 25 min commute, but add in the cost of the ride, ice time, and coaching fees. Multiply that by 5 days a week, 52 weeks in a year. Cap that off with the cost of skates, costumes, choreography, travel, competition expenses, physical therapy, and the bills pile up every month. As a Team USA athlete the past 3 seasons, Ive received stipends that cover only a fraction of the costs. At one point during freshmen year, I had 3 part-time jobs to help pay for it all. Fortunately, Ive also been supported by a few scholarships, including the Helen M. McLoraine Figure Skating Scholarship Program and the US Figure Skating Memorial Fund to help defray a portion of my training and tuition. Mentally, its exhausting to try to keep up with everything. I never have enough time to train or study or do other extracurriculars or anything for that matter. By nature of the sport in the US, I get no funding, resources, or support from the school or sponsors unlike other varsity or professional athletes. Im constantly psetting on the road and my schedule is always packed. I have loads of lectures, assignments, labs, and psets to catch up on while on the road when Im away for week-long training camps and competitions, and exams to make-up when Im back. I dont get any additional extensions or support. Im on my own here. Classes dont stop for anything. Some days I do want to give up. Some days I question why I still want to continue all this madness. Some days I fall behind, in skating or school. Training is hardly enjoyable physically or mentally. School is hard enough on its own. More of often than not, both my mind and body are equally drained, on the verge of burnout. Its lonely to do this all on my own. But every night I collapse in bed, sleep as much as I can, and wake up the next morning to do it all again. I still love what I do. I wouldnt keep it up otherwise. My parents think Im mad trying to juggle everything. There are still goals I want to accomplish before I hang up my skates. A career in skating is short-lived. I want to make the most of it while I still can. The relentless sacrifice, though, has been well worth it. Ive met so many talented and amazing individuals through the sport. Ive traveled all around the US and the world. I love the challenge and the process of training and competing. I love to perform in large arenas and audiences. Im never bored. Theres always something to work on, another challenge to tackle. Its a constant learning experience. Skating forces me to ruthlessly prioritize, structure my time, and stay on top of my work, making the most of every hour of every day. Skating gives me an outlet, a break from the hustle and bustle and the daily grind of MIT though, its in itself an equally-demanding workout. MIT works my brain muscles; skating, physical. When Im on the ice, I focus solely on the training. When Im on campus, I focus on my schoolwork. It keeps me physically and mentally fit. The two separate spheres I enter in and out of several times a week balance each other out. A perk about training on my own is that I get to form my own schedule. Im not tied to a 5-7pm training schedule every day. If one week is especially rough class-wise, I can take it lighter on the ice. My coaches are also flexible and understanding, and work around my schedule as well. But if a competition is coming up, then I sacrifice time towards my classes and cram in as much training as I can. Some days when I cant make the hour round-trip commute to and from my main training facility, then I try my best to squeeze in ice time at MITs own rink on campus. Ive also found a tight-knit community with my coaches and other skaters who train under the Mitchell Johansson Method. I didnt choose MIT because of skating, but it just so turned out that it was one of the best places to do just that. My coaches are world-renowned, and the skaters I train with compete at the highest elite level as well, a training atmosphere I didnt even have back home growing up. The Skating Club of Boston, the local club I represent, is one of the oldest in the country, producing dozens of National, World and Olympic Champions throughout the years. And Im also part of the MIT Figure Skating Club, yet another intimate community. For one, the club is immensely welcoming and supportive. Ive had the opportunity to meet other passionate undergrads, grads, and alums, some whove just picked up the sport since coming to MIT and taking one of the skating PE classes, to those who competed competitively back in their respective hometowns and continue to skate purely for the love of it, for the club, for the community, and for themselves. Every weekend, there are several hours of instruction and coaching, free for club members. And its a great way to stay in shape, Team Captain Ananya N. 19 reminds me. Skating at MIT is not just competitive. Each semester the club puts on an exhibition open to the MIT community and the public. Skaters from all levels perform individual routines and group numbers choreographed by fellow club members. We invite all our friends, classmates, professors, advisors, and family to come out and watch and even join us on the ice afterwards to learn to skate. Its a fun and relaxed environment to share our love for the sport. But we also do compete on the intercollegiate level as a team representing MIT, a separate domain from my professional career. This past winter, MIT hosted one of the three qualifiers in the Eastern Conference right here at Johnson Arena, the MIT Intercollegiate Competition. Schools from all over the East Coast, from University of Virginia to our neighbor Boston University, brought contingents as large as 30 skaters to compete for a spot at the Intercollegiate National Championships. School teams are ranked and given the final prize. Each school accumulates points based on placement in each division, and consequently the point system favors schools with large teams of varying skill levels. From beginner to elite, any student can compete. All other competitions I do professionally are solely based on individual placements. Collegiate skating was the first time Ive been able to contribute to a team effort, and Ive definitely enjoyed the more casual, relaxed, and fun competitive format. At our MIT Intercollegiate, we finished 7th overall, despite having a team a fraction of the size of other schools. But the hometown advantage did help we had a great showing of the MIT community supporting our skaters. The entire competition is run by the schools club team, and the amount of time and energy everyone put in to organizing and running the event was incredible. By hosting these events we will again this coming winter even as a non-varsity sport, our Club President Diane Z. 19 points out that we secure enough funding to sponsor skaters to the other intercollegiate competitions, covering their travel, lodging, and registration expenses. This coming season, NYU and University of Delaware are hosting the other two competitions. The traveling aspect is what my teammates, including Ananya N. 19 and Diane Z. 19, reflect most fondly on when talking about their experiences in the club. Its the late night group psetting sessions and last-minute submissions at the airpot before 5am flights, to visiting schools all over the East and meeting other skaters, to karaoke and ice cream runs after the final event, to cheering on and skating through your teammates programs that youve memorized on the sidelines as they perform. And finally its the community within the club that is the most treasured above all. Undergrads, grads, and alums of all backgrounds and interests come together every morning at 8am, bonded by a common passion and alma mater, to practice and dedicate their time to do what they love. These close friendships that extend beyond the rink, in and out of the classroom, offer a social component to an otherwise often lonely, individual sport. Over the summer, I took part in the 2017 Collegiate National Championships hosted at Adrian College yet another separate domain from the intercollegiate realm and professional skating. This time around, the format is centered on the traditional, individual-based competition structure, with each skater representing their school. Top placements in the Championship division earn a monetary scholarship award as well. I took two days off of my UROP to experience Michigan and Collegiates for the first time. One of my training mates at Mitchell Johansson Method, starting her freshmen year at Boston University, also competed, in addition to another MIT teammate, Shannen W. 21. Without a car or Uber or Lyft, I hitched rides with her and other gracious skaters from schools all around the country to get to and from the hotel and rink and feed myself. I had sprained my ankle the week before, and wasnt sure how much I would be able to perform at the competition. But I was able to squeeze out nearly two clean performances and bring back the title for MIT. This past weekend, I competed at the 2018 Eastern Sectional Championships to attempt to earn a spot at the 2018 US Championships in San Jose, CA. Luckily, the competition took place in Boxborough, MA, around 45-minutes outside Boston. I competed Friday night and Saturday afternoon, and didnt have to miss a class. A group of my friends from the MIT Figure Skating Club drove over to watch on Saturday and cheer me on. I pulled up from 3rd to 2nd overall, and qualified for a spot! They graciously drove me back, and we stopped by for some all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ to celebrate. This Winter Break, though, I will again have to spend here in Boston, alone, but training as hard as I can. No complaints here, as I will have a chance to visit home when Im in San Jose. At the beginning of the season, I envisioned that this would be my last. That I would finally wrap it up, and purse my other aspirations here at MIT. But there is much that I still have yet to accomplish for myself. I still love to train, to compete, to perform. As long as my mind and body stay with it, I have a feeling that I might just keep at it for one more year. I cant imagine skating without life at MIT, and life at this school without the sport. At most of my competitions, the announcer starts with: Representing the Skating Club of Boston, and sometimes, Representing United States of America But at Intercollegiates and Collegiates, I like the ring to, Representing Massachusetts Institute of Technology here is Kevin S. I feel right at home. Post Tagged #Figure Skating