While scrolling through Penn's Course Register (something an undecided sophomore in the College admittedly does regularly), it really struck me that Penn offers so many options for its students' academic enrichment. In other words, there are departments like LGIC (Logic, Information and Computing) and MSCI (Military Science) that I'd never heard of before. The courses offered within each of the many academic departments span so many topics, but certain skills and qualities are left to be self-taught as part of the college experience. Among the many necessary life skills not formally taught in a Penn course/preceptorial, empathy tops the hierarchy of importance in the "real world."

Empathy is defined as "the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another." The Cleveland Clinic published a great video on empathy which you should definitely spend four minutes watching here. Although this video does occur in a hospital patient-care setting, it shouldn't be too difficult to visualize the pedestrians on Locust Walk as having expository phrases about their personal lives above their heads as you cross paths with one another. Everyone has a story. Assuming otherwise simply goes against intuition. 

Empathy is a universal human trait that really shouldn't only be attributed to our lovely nursing students--everyone is capable of expressing empathy (even "cold-blooded, cut-throat Type A" students). Expressing empathy is really not that difficult of a task. Maybe it'll involve foregoing an hour of "studying" (i.e. news feed scrolling in Rosenparty). Perhaps you will take on a standing lunch date with a new acquaintance turned friend. I'm convinced the secret to keeping friends (and not alienating people because you got "less sleep, have more work, and are more stressed out" than everyone else) is actually expressing empathy. Sometimes, you just have to get over yourself and into someone else's shoes. 

Beyond the peer level of empathy, community outreach and service provide many meaningful outlets to exercise empathy. Get more involved in your chapter's philanthropy efforts. Actually show up to joint service events (and don't be that person hiding in a corner avoiding human interaction). Explore the various clubs and service opportunities this university has to offer.  

Sometimes, all it takes to be a better person is a little perspective and understanding.