Megan Tung
What is your first memory of Trinity?
My first memory of Trinity was thinking the entrance test was pretty easy, but being very uncomfortable having to talk to an adult during the interview. At the time, I really did not want to go to Trinity, since I was very attached to my friends at my previous school. When I started at Trinity, I was quite closed off. I made very few close friends and did not really try to incorporate myself with the class.
What are some ways you’ve grown since then?
Maybe because of influences at my old school, I had a negative view of the world and people in it. My moral code hasn’t changed that much over time, but my view of people has. I am more forgiving, and more willing to look at the bright side of things. I’m far more willing to listen to people than I was before. I feel that if I don’t listen well to the other point of view, I don’t have a good basis for my opinion. I also talk much more now in class. In eighth or ninth grade, I didn’t think my thoughts would contribute much to the conversation. Over time, getting comfortable with the people in our class, I became much more willing to talk.
What classes have you particularly enjoyed? Why?
I've enjoyed all of my classes, even the ones that have particularly stressed me out, because I enjoy learning in general. Overall, however, I particularly have liked Humane Letters, since I really enjoy philosophy. Over time, I've enjoyed classes more as I've participated more; often I didn't speak in class in earlier years of high school, but I really value being able to hear other people's opinions on the various texts we read. Reading different texts and breaking them down to understand them is something I do a lot even outside of class.
In 12th grade Humane Letters, the texts often engage with what sort of foundation or commitments a person has to have for living life. Which of Trinity’s commitments have mattered a lot to you?
Above all, I think what resonated with me is the idea of always loving. Trinity has an emphasis on being friends with everyone. There are people in my class with whom I disagree, but we are willing to befriend each other and listen to each other.
What is one class or subject you would not have taken on your own?
I think that the only class that I would not have taken was Latin, and I still found it interesting in the end. Choir and drama have helped me overcome some of my stage fright. In Macbeth last year, there was one scene where I was laughing from nerves in all the rehearsals. But my role in this year’s play (You Can’t Take It With You) is very loud. It can be hard to summon up the attitude of a drunk lady at the end of a long day of classes. I try to act like the complete opposite of myself.
What extracurriculars did you participate in?
I have participated in Trinitones, Student Ambassadors and Yearbook Club. I've honestly liked participating in all of them, even though I became a Student Ambassador by accident! I've gained some amount of confidence talking with other people from them.
What was your favorite book you read in HL?
Either the Iliad or Crime and Punishment. The Iliad really struck me as beautiful. Crime and Punishment, on the other hand, felt almost sticky while reading. I really felt Raskolnikov's emotions, in almost an off-putting way, but I think that made it far more interesting.
What advice would you give to an incoming student (one very much like yourself) about how to get the most out of Trinity?
I think my best advice is to get more sleep than you think you should. Try to find enjoyment in every subject; if you are stressed, let it out, but then figure out some way to relate to the topic that makes it more interesting.
What’s next for you? What do you hope it will be like?
I’ll be going to Purdue. I hope that I’m able to handle the workload. I picked computer science because I liked my experiences with coding so far. I am still figuring out what I’d like to do beyond that.
