I, like many newcomers to Carleton, decided to participate in frosh week to start my university experience off the right way, meet new people, and have a week I’d never forget. However, my most vivid memories of frosh week include raucous chanting, camp-style activities, loud people everywhere all the time, and several headaches.
Universities are supposed to be institutions of higher learning, a place to grow and mature, but this wasn’t my impression while I was standing in a circle, surrounded by my fellow “Gargoyles” (the name of my frosh group) clapping and chanting “Fuck you, Ottawa U!” I never went to camp as a kid, but I’d imagine frosh week is similar, except with more profanity.
Needless to say, this isn’t what I thought frosh would be like. How do they expect us to have this much school spirit on the first day here?
I won’t lie, frosh week is a great opportunity to make friends and have fun—for some people. If you’re not the extroverted type, then you’re probably not going to have a great time.
Most of the activities are catered towards the outgoing, social butterfly, school-spirit loving types, and leave the quiet kids in the dust.
A lot of newcomers to Carleton are coming from out of town. They may not know anyone. They may be shy, scared, and probably have a lot of questions.
These people might benefit more from a thorough tour of campus, smaller group activities that allow for meaningful friendships to be made, and chances to connect with people in their program, rather than marching around campus, filing into a stadium to cheer for a football team, and going to a Much Music Dance Party full of sweaty people.
Personally, I’ve made many good friends during board game nights, barbecues, movie nights, and other quieter activities hosted by smaller societies on campus during the two years I’ve been at Carleton. I can’t say the same for frosh week.
There’s ample time in the next four years for parties, clubs, football games, bar crawls, and making questionable decisions. But frosh week is where students make their first impression of campus and university life in general, and it marks the start of a new chapter in their lives. People who prefer a more relaxed environment may feel overwhelmed by the cheering, chanting, and perpetually loud welcoming committee.
I don’t mean to diminish the hard work put into organizing frosh week; I just think the energy could be put into a slightly different goal. There’s nothing wrong with brainless activities to break the ice, but students are showing up with serious questions about everything from where their classes are to mental health resources available on campus.
I understand the concept of frosh week is just lighthearted fun, but everything is centered around bright colours, cheering, running around, and school spirit.
I think it’s time for a better balance between high-intensity events that appeal to the extroverts, and low-key activities for the quieter types.
