NovMo '25: A Year in College

Sofia Hakimi has always felt like she was standing on the sidelines of her own life. Growing up in the only Muslim family in a small New England town, she was never able to truly relate to the other kids in school. She tried to convince herself that that was okay. Her parents instilled the same hardworking values that brought them to America from Morocco. The most important things were her education and a stable future. But Sofia still wanted deep, close friendships like the ones she’s always seen on the television and read in her novels. When she’s accepted to Dartmouth University to major in English, it feels like the opportunity she’s been waiting for.

Dartmouth is huge; she's late to at least three of her classes because she can’t find them; and the homework is overwhelming. Her roommate, Harriet, is nice, but they’re awkward around each other. She and Harriet attend the annual Community Lunch to celebrate the new term, and Sofia immediately notices their clothing styles. In addition to her hijab, Sofia wears modest clothing that covers her whole body. Harriet, and most of the other girls, wear variations of short shorts and crop tops that barely cover anything. While she stands in the shade, she comments on the heat from the sun to another student. They agree and say that she would probably be less hot if she hadn’t overdressed. It makes Sofia feel intensely aware of how differently she is dressed from everyone else.

Sofia applies to work at the Baker-Berry Library on campus as part of her federal work-study. She’s scheduled to work in the afternoons and late evenings throughout the week. During staff orientation, she meets one of her coworkers, a Junior named Lenora, who shares a couple of shifts with her. Lenora is an avid photographer.

When Sofia arrives for class during the second week of the semester, some of the students are speaking about the Israel-Palestine War. One of them says a bad comment about Muslim women, and it cuts her deeply. Sofia tries to defend her religion, but she feels so shaken that she can’t get the words out the way she wants them to. She spends the rest of the class unable to pay attention to the lecture and ignoring the other students.

After a late shift working at the library, Sofia returns to her dorm to discover that Harriet’s boyfriend is there. They’re asleep on Harriet’s bed, partially clothed. Deeply uncomfortable, Sofia leaves the room and stays out in the Common Area. She’s woken up by Harriet the next morning, who’s confused why Sofia didn’t go back to their room. Sofia tries to explain that it’s inappropriate for a boy to sleep over in the same room with a girl he’s not related to. Harriet gets upset, so she attempts to rectify it by explaining that it’s for modesty and protection in Islam. Harriet thinks that the whole world doesn’t revolve around Sofia, so she should be considerate of other people.

As Halloween approaches, the campus is buzzing with energy. Sofia and Harriet are awkward around each other, refusing to talk about what happened. Lenora invites her to a party in one of the dorms on Halloween night. Sofia is hesitant, but Lenora convinces her that nothing bad will happen, and she won’t know anyone else there. At the party, Sofia is shocked to see that most of the girls are dressed in immodest costumes, while she, once again, is covered up. They all look confident and having fun. Sofia stays on the outskirts watching them. There are seeds of doubt about her femininity.

While working on a group project for a psychology class, the topic of relationships gets brought up. Sofia doesn’t have a boyfriend, and when pressed, she explains it’s against her religion, like drinking alcohol and permanent tattoos. One of her partners tells her to let loose and have fun—this is America, not the Middle East. Sofia politely tells them to mind their own business. She’s perfectly content with the life she has. However, she continues to question herself and her role in Islam.

She goes home for Christmas Break and shares her feelings with her mother. Her mother sits her down and shares her own stories about adapting to American culture when she was younger. She reminds Sofia that the most important things are to love and accept herself.

During the first week of the new semester, Lenora invites Sofia out for breakfast. They talk about their future goals. Sofia wants to get married and have a family. She jokes that she’s not a strong, independent woman, but Lenora admires that. It’s the first time someone other than her family has appreciated her for those beliefs. After a class, Sofia finds Harriet sobbing in their dorm. Harriet and her boyfriend broke up. Sofia comforts her, and Harriet apologizes for her past actions. Sofia invites her to grab dinner together, and she accepts.

Sofia finishes her final, final exam and returns to her nearly empty dorm. Most of her stuff is packed into boxes or suitcases. Harriet’s side of the room is completely empty, save for her. They hug, and she departs for the summer. Sofia walks outside and meets Lenora. She takes a picture of them with her polaroid camera and gives it to Sofia before leaving. On the back is Lenora’s number. Sofia beams and waits for her parents.

Pronouns: She/her
Age: 18
Height: 5'8
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Black
Physical appearance: tall and gangly. Long, wavy, thick hair.
Unique physical attributes: acne scar on cheek.
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Favorite shoes/footwear: converse or sneakers
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Any pets? -- Two cats
Other people's opinions of this character: kind, quiet, smart
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Favourite books: Pride and Prejudice, the Hunger Games,
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Favourite sports/sports teams: tennis and women's gymnastics
Dream holiday: traveling in Europe
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I'm not sure if this is semi-autobiographical, but I also live in New England and go to a dartmouth univerisity. Wonder if we go to the same place...

funnily enough, @goodolnoah, this is semi-autobiographical! I also live in New England, but I do not go to Dartmouth lol.