During move-in weekend, 611 freshmen arrived at DePauw University expecting a college experience and were instead met by summer camp.
On the Monday of orientation, my debut weekday as a college student, I spent my time literally running from one required activity to another.
Looking back on my first three days at college, I have come to the conclusion that I was more stressed out then than I had ever been during my four years in high school.
I had met so many people that my brain was constantly buzzing with all of the names I would not remember the next day. Beyond that, I felt as though I didn't have a single quiet moment to sit and come to terms with my new life.
I understand what the administration is trying to do.
If the freshmen are kept busy, they are less likely to feel anxious about their new lives and will perhaps even meet new people.
The intentions are good, but I was so busy running from activity to activity that I forgot to have fun.
Instead of cramming everyone's heads full of information broken up only by a multitude of bonding games, the administration should disperse the activities throughout the first few weeks of class. Mentor meetings and group activities would be more appreciated if they were spread out.
Don't get me wrong. Meeting with my mentor group was a great way to create a solid group of friends. But I should not have been required to spend every waking hour of an entire weekend with them.
Orientation weekend feels like a blur of sitting in circles, holding hands and overcoming strange obstacles. It wasn't as memorable as I had hoped.
Had freshmen been given a chance to settle into our new homes, explore campus and meet other students on our own, a few activities with mentor groups or dormitory floors would have been more meaningful.
Instead of having an overwhelming number of activities to attend and then suddenly very few, new students would be more gradually integrated into the college atmosphere.
Yes, I am aware of the fact that as soon as school begins, extracurricular activities and sports also begin. But the orientation activities during the academic year do not necessarily have to be mandatory.
Because students would be required to attend some activities during their first few days on campus, they would already feel comfortable with their mentor groups and would be more inclined to attend optional team-building activities.
Although attendance, or lack thereof, is a legitimate concern, turnout at both the luau and the 80s dance was high. Students are willing to participate in activities encouraged by their mentors and resident assistants.
Let's be honest. Freshmen did not choose to come to DePauw because of the appeal of an entire summer camp wrapped up in four days. We chose DePauw because of the options available here for us, most of which we can find on our own.
– Silver is a freshman from Sylvania, Ohio planning to major in English writing. opinion@thedepauw.edu