After a jam-packed orientation weekend that saw less campus-wide events and more dorm-specific activities than previous years, the Class of 2013 can settle into college life.
"I got to meet a lot of different people at a lot of the different activities at Domerfest," freshman Tom Temmerman said. "Also, the event was so awkward that it was really easy to talk to people about the awkwardness of the whole thing."
Freshmen Orientation, or Frosh-O, occurs each year and is intended to make the transition to college life easier for incoming freshmen by hosting events that help students get to know each other and become familiar with the campus.
Many freshmen students embraced the Frosh-O events that took place within their dorms.
"We got to actually talk to one another at the smaller events," freshman Kelly Brakora said. "It was easy to get conversations going."
Freshman Dan Finan said his favorite orientation event was Alumni's "Dawg Run," named for the dorm's mascot, which gives freshman a chance to run around campus.
"The run was definitely the coolest event because before the run we were puppies and after the run we were dawgs," Finan said.
Stephanie Bonaroti of Howard Hall said the smaller events enabled her to better know people in her dorm.
"We had a night where we talked about Howard Hall traditions and I really felt like I bonded with the girls in my dorm," she said.
Bonaroti, however, expressed disappointment that she did not have more opportunities to become acquainted with students from other dorms.
"When we did do things with other dorms it was always in a situation where you were thrown together and you didn't get to really know the other people or really even know their names," she said.
Freshman Rachel Palumbo of Lyons said while she felt like she didn't get to meet many freshmen outside of her dorm, she isn't too concerned.
"The girls I met during Frosh-O were all pretty much in my hall but I'm not worried about it," Palumbo said. "I know the people I'm living with and I'll get to know the others in class.
"When we were in smaller groups it was much more of a pressure-free environment," she said. "There were so many of the big events where social interaction was forced that it got tiring."
Bonaroti said she feels relief now that orientation is over.
"I felt isolated as a freshmen during Frosh-O," Bonaroti said. "Now I feel more part of the school."
