Written by Grace Canlas
I spend a lot of time at my desk, whether that be reading Shakespeare’s Othello for Great Books, writing an operational essay for Foundations of Military History, or drilling flashcards for any one of my classes. After pausing to take a longer look around my desk, I realized the area sums up a lot of my life at Hillsdale College. Here are five different items at my desk that share a story of how Hillsdale has impacted me.
My journal
Well actually, I have four different journals in my desk drawer. The specific journal I’m talking about is colorful and has an inspirational phrase printed in gold on the front cover. To most people, inside lies a list of random quotes from distinguished philosophers, theologians, and authors. To me, however, inside lies a collection of meaningful reminders of why I study at Hillsdale College. The quotes written down in my journal struck me as so beautiful when I read them for the first time that they captivated my soul and sometimes left me on the brink of tears. Studying at Hillsdale College has taught my mind and heart what beauty truly is—things such as Thomas Aquinas’ On Kingship or Dante’s Purgatorio—that cause me to ponder the wonder of humanity and the goodness of our Maker.
Half of my “American Military History to 1914” Reader
My loose-leaf textbook for this class was so massive that it didn’t fit in my binder, so I had to keep half of it in my desk while I carried the other half we were discussing in my backpack. Here at Hillsdale, we don’t read good things only in the Great Books courses. Every class at Hillsdale consists of carefully selected, thought-provoking reading. I have found that it is the curriculum, professors, and students that truly distinguish Hillsdale College. The curriculum challenges me to study deeply. The professors encourage me to think freely. And my classmates inspire me to live boldly.
Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are a fun, colorful way to compensate for my lack of brain space to remember all of the various things going on throughout my week. They might remind me to meet my friend for coffee at Penny’s, attend an upcoming lecture from a visiting academic, or complete a first draft for three of my essays over the weekend. There are so many great things I get to do at Hillsdale that the sticky notes just keep coming.
Greeting Cards
These are a classy and personal way to stay in touch with others. While there are so many lovely people here at Hillsdale, there are also a lot of wonderful people back home. Greeting cards are a special way to say “hi” to a friend, let your mom know you are thinking of her, or tell your grandpa something interesting you learned in class. Here at Hillsdale, there is so much to be thankful for, and greeting cards are a great way to express your gratitude throughout the semester.
Magnetic Hand-Holding Socks
This might require a quick Google search, but trust me, you too will want a pair after you see them. These were a fun, unconventional, and memorable gift for my roommate after her baptism. Our hand-holding socks always put a smile on my face and remind me of how blessed I am to have such a terrific friend. I think about staying up until midnight talking about our favorite childhood movies, spending three hours trying to solve a mystery from her favorite true crime podcast, or catching up each evening with our daily debriefs. I might be biased, but I think I have the best roommate in the world. Thanks for a lifelong friend, Hillsdale.
While those late nights that slowly turn into early mornings are not always glorious, as I pause from my reading or typing to look around my desk, I am reminded of how blessed I am to be studying at Hillsdale College. My desk is just a small reflection of the amazing education, friends, and memories Hillsdale has provided me.
Grace Canlas, ’27, is pursuing a major in English and double minor in psychology and military history and strategy. When she’s not studying, Grace can be found practicing martial arts or laughing with her family and friends.
Published in February 2025
