New students move past freshmen fears

Stacy Locke and Jesse Small Guest Writers

Move-in Day, Aug. 25, is a day like no other for the 682 freshman entering as Vassar College’s Class of 2011. Temperatures lingering above 90 degrees, an endless line of cars chock full of dorm goods and the energetic Strong girls screaming “Honk if You Love Vassar,” met us as we arrived on campus.

College freshmen all face myriad fears upon entering college. First, there’s the popular fear of the effects of changing eating habits—affectionately known as “The Freshman Fifteen.” Secondly, after working so hard to amass a few friends in high school we all must now repeat the shameless flattery, the small talk, and the awkward silences. And the uncertainties don’t stop there.

“I was so worried about going away to school, I’m surprised I even got here,” said Nicole Krenitsky ’11. “I was afraid that somehow a mistake was made in the admissions process and I would flunk out of school.”

Many other students worry about the co-ed bathrooms, out-of-control parties, getting lost on campus, and, let’s not forget, the eerily audacious squirrels.

“I didn’t know if I’d have a roommate I got along with,” agreed Charles Vinis ’11. “I was worried I’d have a roommate who was some kind of kleptomaniac or sleepwalker.”

We all have our preconceptions of what college life will be like before we go. Anticipating the academic challenges is a common phenomenon.

“I was looking forward to getting to a school where I could choose my coursework from many interesting classes rather than the few offered at my high school,” says Lillian Reuman ’11.

Some enter with a less optimistic stance, having been told what to expect by others.

“My parents’ friend once told me that I should never apply to a liberal arts school because it’s a haven for students with absolutely no sense of direction,” said Sam McNaughton ’11. “Obviously I didn’t really give any value to that advice.”
“I came in with a negative attitude based on what people were telling me to expect,” said Kendall Coleman ’11. “But I’ve gotten along with everyone I’ve met. I think people should experience Vassar before they judge it.”

What most of us have found is that the imagined problems seem minimal when compared with the benefits of life on campus. By the end of the first 24 hours at Vassar, most of our fears had largely diminished and been replaced with excitement and anticipation. The comfort already found by the first day of classes speaks to the helpful nature of orientation week.

“My student fellow was also a big help,” said Annie Furr ’11. “She made me feel at home. It is great to know that someone who has survived the same period of uncertainty will be there to help me out.”

Orientation activities and events such as “Belonging to a Diverse Community” and “Gays of Our Lives” gave the Class of 2011 ample opportunity to mingle.

“I really liked my Freshman BYOA [Build Your Own Adventure],” said Furr. “I spent an entire day trying to juggle and am still awful at it. At least I got to meet a lot of other freshman.”

“I was in the Slam Poetry BYOA; I really enjoyed it,” said Nii Yaboah ’11. “I found a new way to express myself. You really have to put yourself into it so I got to know people through that.”

While tedious at times, orientation helped freshmen to find like-minded people and experience the friendly nature of the Vassar community.

“Things all sort of worked out,” said Vinis. “I’m digging Vassar a lot.”

Undoubtedly there will continue to be those awkward, repetitive introductions of “What’s your name/hometown/residence hall.” But after a couple weeks on campus it seems almost silly that we could have been worried about adjusting to college. Now all we have to do is successfully survive the next four years.