Spring Break
Making new connections
College is the first time away from home for many people, forcing them to rely on new social structures
Mindy Brown/ staff writer
Issue date: 8/26/04 Section: The Verge
Freshmen are thrown into a huge mess of new people as soon as they step out of their cars. From meeting upperclassmen that help them find their rooms, to the scary-in-itself event of meeting their roommate, to the overwhelming number of events planned for the incoming freshmen, meeting people is not only scary, but forced. Michael "Hollywood" Tomasek said that events such as the freshmen mixer Thursday night on the South Quad were "a good way to meet people, if you had the balls." Fortunately, networks of acquaintances grew and more and more people became comfortable with opening up to new people. Everyone is in the same boat their freshman year; everyone is new.
When talking to new freshmen, there are a few different stories that are told about roommates. If their roommate is someone they didn't know before college, they either like or tolerate each other, at least this early in the game. The comfort level has not been reached and they are still treating each other as guests instead of friends. Freshmen also have the option of choosing someone they already knew as a roommate and this seems to work well. The comfort level is already reached and as Freshman Katie McAndrew puts it, "you can be sarcastic and annoying at each other and not feel bad about it. It's just more normal and natural."
Unfortunately, there are a few disappointing roommate stories. Freshman Jenna Caschetta had her first roommate tell her she wasn't coming to Eastern when she called her before the term started. The day of move in, Caschetta's new assigned roommate commented to her mother, "I don't want to be here," and packed her things and left the next morning.
Fortunately, people like Caschetta, and everyone else in fact, had little time for those homesick feelings with all the events planned for the first few days. The common theme was that meeting people was important. Getting out there and getting to know others is the best way to feel comfortable in your surroundings.
When talking to new freshmen, there are a few different stories that are told about roommates. If their roommate is someone they didn't know before college, they either like or tolerate each other, at least this early in the game. The comfort level has not been reached and they are still treating each other as guests instead of friends. Freshmen also have the option of choosing someone they already knew as a roommate and this seems to work well. The comfort level is already reached and as Freshman Katie McAndrew puts it, "you can be sarcastic and annoying at each other and not feel bad about it. It's just more normal and natural."
Unfortunately, there are a few disappointing roommate stories. Freshman Jenna Caschetta had her first roommate tell her she wasn't coming to Eastern when she called her before the term started. The day of move in, Caschetta's new assigned roommate commented to her mother, "I don't want to be here," and packed her things and left the next morning.
Fortunately, people like Caschetta, and everyone else in fact, had little time for those homesick feelings with all the events planned for the first few days. The common theme was that meeting people was important. Getting out there and getting to know others is the best way to feel comfortable in your surroundings.
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