Filled out resumes, played a lot of "Halo," enjoyed Iowa, became an art thief, that sort of thing, came back early for Interterm '05.

Art thief, eh?

Yeah, I interned for a firm in Des Moines.

Really?

Sort of, but I shouldn't say any more-keep it hush-hush you know.

So how do you like being a first-year RC?

It's uniquely interesting. I have seen things I have never thought I'd see.

Like what?

Just, it never ceases to amaze me, like what happens at 5 a.m. on Sundays. When I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, I walk through the halls in the Plaza and I wonder how the hall became so different since I went to sleep.

Oh? Different how?

Different like when I go to sleep they're relatively clean, and by 5 a.m. the place is just absolutely disgusting. I have no idea what my residents do when I go to sleep, but it must be fun.

OK, I'll leave it. So I hear you're a neuroscience major ....

I am a neuroscience major. I wanted to take a lot of science but I wasn't particularly interested in anything specific in any one science discipline in particular. Once I got to Amherst, I started taking chemistry and biology courses and I became interested in psychopharmacology. Psychopharmacology is the study of psychotropic substances and their effects on human systems, like painkillers and stuff.

Do you feel that there's pressure to do something this summer?

Well yeah, but I was lucky, I did something with my summer after freshman year. I did microbiology research in a lab in Wisconsin, I got published too. But some people I know just goofed off and are now worrying that they need to do something with their summers so they can get a job when they graduate.

So what did you in the snowstorm?

Williston, enough said.

What's your favorite band?

My favorite band would have to be Air. I just heard their soundtrack to "The Virgin Suicides" and it's creepy, but good creepy. They've got such a great range and incredible sound. I have to give props to these guys.

Are you excited for this semester?

I really am, I'm finally taking the first real neuro courses of my Amherst career. And I'm taking screenwriting, well I'm trying to take screenwriting, but the pre-reg system at this college is BS.

Speaking of pre-registration, aren't you on the CAP?

I am on the Committee on Academic Priorities. We've got a lot of work ahead of us. The committee is charged with dealing with a lot of things at this college, but my personal focus is on the topics dealing with students, admissions, financial aid, classes, this BS registration system, student life, that sort of thing.

What organization are you most actively involved with?

The Amherst Halo League. I spend a lot of time cultivating my "Halo" talents, which are unequaled on this campus. I can own anyone, anytime, anyplace. I am always looking for some new opponents to stomp on.

Any advice for freshmen?

It gets a lot easier at time goes on­­-

-Are you talking about winter?

Well that too, but really everything. But probably the best advice I have is to get excited about the semester as it carries you through the first rough bit at the start when you try to get readjusted to college life.