This year, despite me living in an apartment, I am part of the Forest Welcome Week Team so you may see me at check-in. Some of you may be wondering why all the process when you are moving into your residence hall. There are many things going on during welcome week, some of which include: club signups, campus events, orientations, residence hall events, freshman induction, finding classrooms, making friends, and mostly becoming accustomed to IU life. Are you starting to wonder what the purpose of these things are? Here are some noteworthy welcome week traditions.
1.They want me to sign up for WHAT?!Are you wondering why there are so many groups with signup sheets at move-in? Welcome week is not only to keep students involved for the week leading up to classes, it is to show them ways they can stay involved year-round! Being in a group, whether a club, sport, or government, is a fantastic way to make new friends and maintain connections. One of the biggest parts of university living is networking—and I’m not talking just Facebook. Networking to meet people who quite possibly may recommend you to a future employer is a BIG DEAL; the best part is, it’s simple. One of the big things during welcome week is New Student Service Day. This will be held on Saturday morning, and it is a great opportunity to make more friends, or further bond with your roommate or floor mates! I had other things going on that day when I first came to IU, and I always wish that I had gone, so DO IT! (this year they’re serving lunch too).
2.InductionFreshman Induction may be one of those events that you would rather not attend, and your parents would rather you did. REGARDLESS, it is a nice experience (and you get a nice IU pin too!) It really does not take up much time, so I definitely recommend going. It is similar to a High School graduation in reverse high speed. You will make the Indiana Promise, get your shiny little IU pin, stand there awkwardly for a bit, and be on your way. There are two sessions (2pm and 4pm) both with a nice picnic to follow. Also, a bonus for those of you who really just want your parents out of your hair, the picnic is really meant as where the parents/guardians/family says goodbye. So my advice on this one is GO. This traditional event is a finite beginning to your journey through your year at IU!
EVENTS GALORE! Welcome week events, believe it or not, have a very specific purpose—FUN! Welcome week events are meant to get the students out and around campus, meeting fellow residents of their building/floor, and making memories all while having a good time. Upon checking into your building you should receive a little round-ish booklet that tells you everything you will ever need to know about campus wide events during this crazy busy week. Also this year, there is a section on IUMobile (a really helpful phone app that you should definitely put on your phone) especially for welcome week! It lists events, times, and locations, and what’s more is that you can actually create your own personalized Welcome Week schedule—cool, huh? If I had to pick one and only one campus event to go to, it would be Culturefest…or maybe Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll…or maybe Taste of the Union? In reality they are all great so gather up your floor, friends, or just your roommate(s) and head out around campus as I’m SURE you will have things to do. DON’T FORGET that your residence hall will be having plenty of activities too. These are the best place for you to meet people from other floors, get to know the RAs (they’re not that intimidating…really), and meet other res hall staff members! Here is another blogger's look on some events: Welcome Week!
4.Do I HAVE to go?? Academic orientationYou may think it is mundane and worthless, but these orientations are a great place to learn about the school you want to become part of in the future (if you aren’t already part of it). You will learn steps needed to get into the school and classes you can take before you are officially accepted to the school. If you do not know where to go, fear not, the RAs/floor presidents have volunteered to lead group to their orientations.
Finally, for funsies here are a couple pictures from the game night hosted at Forest. That was one intense game of Jenga!
Until next blog,
Claire