The WBSL Radio Station is a place built on expression and putting your voice out into the world. But dropping in on other shows to truly listen, rather than using your own voice, is just as important. Sitting down with Jack Fischer ‘28 and Truett Neopolitano ‘28 taught me how much perspective you can gain simply by tuning in. Collaborating between Girl Talk, the show I host alongside Gabby St. Clair ’27 and Katherine Nelson ’27, and their show, Reel Talk, was not only fun but also genuinely meaningful. If you’re reading this, consider it your sign to take a break and listen in.
On a chilly Wednesday night, I walked into the studio to find Jack and Truett hyperanalyzing the Pitch Perfect series, a small glimpse into the wide range of topics students unpack on air. I introduced myself and asked them a simple question: If you could go back and give your freshman-year self any advice, what would you tell yourself?
Truett, who came to Berkshire from New York City, described the transition as a drastic shift in freedom. “I came into a space that was a lot more free and open, and I had a lot more independence,” he said. “Don’t take all that stuff for granted… You need to focus on what’s important, like going to class and getting your work done. If you play a sport, stay active, and do all that stuff. I would just say make sure you keep your priorities in check as much as you can because there are always going to be distractions.” His advice resonated with me because Berkshire offers a different kind of freedom than a city does. It places you in a structured routine and hands you responsibility right off the bat. Living with your friends, navigating FOMO, and adjusting to new schedules, workloads, and expectations are all incredibly stimulating at first. Truett’s reminder to recenter yourself when things get overwhelming is something many students, especially freshmen, need to hear.
Jack, on the other hand, came from Bermuda as a soccer recruit. His advice focused less on behavior and more on identity. “Don’t limit yourself to one characteristic,” he said. “I came to school, and all I was here for was pretty much soccer. I made my decision based on soccer, and then soccer season ended, and I’m like, ‘Well, what am I at Berkshire without soccer?’ And then I became a squash player. And then I became a track runner. And then I became a DJ, and then I became a friend. I became a boyfriend, you know?” His words perfectly captured what Berkshire is meant to do: push students outside their comfort zones and give them space to discover who they are beyond a single label. Jack fully embraced the opportunities available to him. For any freshman reading this who feels boxed into one identity, his message is a powerful reminder that you are allowed to be multifaceted.
I asked the same question to Kat and Gabby during a recent Girl Talk session, and their answers echoed many of the same themes. Kat said, “Listen more instead of speaking. Find importance in the words you say. Start talking to more random people at school. Oh, and invest in baggier jeans.” Gabby added, “You don’t have to put yourself into one box or assimilate into a single friend group. You have to learn how to love yourself first.” Together, their reflections brought the conversation full circle, reinforcing the importance of open-mindedness and listening and, in turn, highlighting how self-improvement comes from gaining others’ perspectives.
Hearing these different perspectives highlights how many types of people come to Berkshire, from different backgrounds and at different stages of life. While everyone’s approach to the Berkshire experience looks different, the overarching theme remains the same: growth begins when you listen to others and to yourself.
