All sophomores are first-years in their own respects. Like first-years, we see the campus in an entirely different way than any other class. Sophomores have the advantage of knowing what to expect, but first-years have the luxury of seeing everything for the first time. Both classes experience many of the same things, yet their experiences are distinct. DePauw's social, academic and greek influences mean different things at different times. As a sophomore, I offer my insights in hopes of making sense of these differences.
Sophomores are forced to see DePauw in more objective and academic light. Typically, sophomores start thinking more about grades, summer internships and their future. We take more major-based classes, or at least are taking big steps toward deciding a major and minor. First-years do think about these things, but only as daunting topics of a distant future. Living on their own for the first time in their lives, first-years spend most of their time and energy acclimating to this new independence. It makes sense why first-years don't spend much time setting up a summer internship because the newness of the first-year experience is too great and too finite to ignore.
Whether independent or greek, most everyone can agree that the recruitment process influences much of DePauw's culture. As a first-year, the pressure to join a chapter, and to impress various houses, never subsides until after those first two weeks in February. Fraternity parties, tailgates, lunches and dinners and philanthropies dominate much of the first-years' fall semester.
With this in mind, the typical sophomore views DePauw's social interactions more objectively-rushing a house (for most people) is no longer a concern. Instead, brothers and sisters in any given fraternity or sorority are deciding upon a class of future initiates. These people will share ancient secrets, live in the same house and determine what the house will be like in the coming years.
First-years are deciding which house upholds their values, which people are most like themselves, and where they will ultimately live for the next three years.
This is not to say independents are less significant aspects of DePauw's social scene, but it is important to recognize that greek life fuels nearly every social aspect of this campus. Regardless of the answer, the greek-life question is significant to every student at DePauw.
A basic, important truth about being a sophomore is that there are now students a year younger than you on campus. This distinction may sound obvious (and it is), but I believe there is something deeper to it than mere age. Each class changes DePauw in a unique and gradual way; each class functions as its own valuable commodity. There is a certain, exotic novelty in each first-year class. It is easy to stereotype upperclassmen based upon their greek (and non-greek) affiliations, but with first-years, stereotyping is nearly impossible. You have to get to know a first-year before you can make comments on his or her character.
Like I said, I am a different type of first-year; I'm seeing things for the first time as well. For first-years reading this: don't think too much. Don't let the greek decision dominate your life. It is also important to savor each moment of your first-year.
I only know so much about DePauw, but I know a few things. While its greek life flourishes, DePauw is more than a collection of fraternity and sorority houses. It is a place of great intellectual growth, a setting for lifelong memories and a second home. Drink it all in, and drink it slow.
- Weilhammer is a sophomore from Indianapolis, Ind. majoring in English writing.