Turning Down the Bass: From NYC to Ohio

"My fast-paced lifestyle was typical of a big city like New York, and my family worried it wouldn’t translate well to the rural environment at Kenyon. Honestly, I was worried too."

By Catherine Yost '26
Date

When I first announced I was going to Kenyon College, the news was greeted with smiles and excitement. I did get one objection from nearly everyone: the location. I was known by my friends and family as the “city girl.” While I don’t think I have fully earned this title, spending four years of my life commuting in and out of Manhattan for school has grown me a reputation.

My fast-paced lifestyle and ambitious attitude were typical of a big city like New York, and my family worried they wouldn’t translate well to the rural environment at Kenyon. Honestly, I was worried too. Similarly to other New Yorker Owls, I chose Kenyon to get out of the urban environment, but I still had my doubts. I had spent most of my weekends senior year going to concerts in SOHO, Williamsburg, Forest Hills, etc, and as stupid as it sounds, one of my biggest worries going into my first semester was that I would experience music withdrawals.

I'm still struggling with this, but Kenyon has a surprisingly good live music scene for a school of its size. The student-run Horn Gallery hosts local bands about once a week — just enough to keep me satiated during the academic year. Not to say these concerts fall short. I've had some of my best experiences as a music lover in Gambier. About a month ago, the Horn hosted the annual “battle of the bands” where as the name suggests– student bands battle for a chance to open the end-of-year Summer Sendoff event. It was special to see people I knew performing. 

I’d had a similar experience like this back at home: going to little bars and watching my friends play alongside tens of other small artists, but knowing or having seen nearly every band helped me to let go. It was the perfect mix of originals and covers that allowed me to see into the lives of my fellow students. Having only one chance to prove worthy of sendoff made the artists able to conjure up an energy that you simply couldn’t find at a larger, less intimate venue. If you are looking to disappear a bit more at shows, Columbus is usually a stop on most artists’ tours. But it’s difficult to get into the city without a car (and unfortunately my parents wouldn’t let me keep my 2004 Honda Pilot on campus —  they argued that it wouldn't be able to make the drive, but I just say they want me to suffer.) 

Something I definitely took for granted in NYC is that basically everywhere else, you NEED a car to get places. The Midwest is no exception, especially in rural areas like Gambier. Luckily, Kenyon has a shuttle service that runs in and out of Mount Vernon most days, so if you happen to come to Kenyon carless, you have options to leave campus if desired. 

"I love walking into the bookstore and knowing the cashiers, or striking up a conversation with someone about the most recent all-stu email chain—not necessarily because we know each other, but because we share a community in Kenyon."

Catherine Yost '26

I find the lack of big business in Gambier comforting. It makes the campus seem less corporate than the rest of the world. Almost like a blast from the past, giving an old Americana feel to a state-of-the-art institution. The small shops make Kenyon feel like a family, allowing members of the  community to bond over “Taco Tuesday” at the market or the lack of hot coffee at Wiggins. I love walking into the bookstore and knowing the cashiers, or striking up a conversation with someone about the most recent all-stu email chain — not necessarily because we know each other, but because we share a community in Kenyon.

Since moving to Ohio, I've had to learn how to slow down. Mentally, physically, emotionally — all of it! And honestly, I don't think there's a more formative time to truly learn how to spend time with yourself than in your early adulthood. At a time in your life when everyone expects you to be moving through life at turbo speed, it's nice to just… stop.

The stillness at Kenyon is one of its many charms. It's hard to see where you're looking when you're running, but if you let your head stop bobbing up and down and just stand still, you're able to see life much clearer. Especially now, when my fellow students and I are just trying to figure out what our plans are, Kenyon is a great environment to let the waves settle, and finally, get to look at what lies at the bottom.