Okay Class of 2019, we’re officially less than a week away from Welcome Week 2015! As exciting as it can be to move into your dorm, meet your roommate (roommates, for those of you stuck in triples), and experience campus life for the first time, it can also be incredibly nerve-wracking.
Personally, Welcome Week was really overwhelming for me. I felt like everyone else had already made friends and was having a blast while I ate Ben & Jerry’s with my roommate. After spending a full year at AU and absolutely loving it, I now realize how untrue this was. Many people I talked to over the course of the year admitted to having similar thoughts and fears during Welcome Week.
But Welcome Week can also be an amazing experience if you make the most of it! Here are some tips to make the most of your first week on campus.
DO leave your door open, but also leave your room.
I made sure the door to my room was always propped open and that my roommate and I had cool music playing (well, the Jonas Brothers Pandora station) during those first few days of Welcome Week. I had heard from all sorts of college articles and older friends that this would show people we were interested in meeting people and wanted to hang out. And this is true to some extent: I met one of my best friends because he left his door open on move-in day. However, don’t sit in your room and wait for people to come to you. Walk around your floor and introduce yourself to other people, who will probably be sitting in their room nervously with the door open and hoping for visitors.
DON’T feel the need to go to parties.
As much as AU may try to stop freshmen from going out during Welcome Week, it will happen one way or another. However, don’t feel like you need to go out because “everyone” is. You’ll have all semester to go to parties and drink, so don’t worry about doing it every night during Welcome Week. Parties also aren’t for everyone (I hate them with all of my heart), so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you don’t want to go. If you do decide to go out, don’t go overboard with drinking. No one wants to be remembered as the one who got transported on his or her first night at AU.
DO participate in Welcome Week programs.
AU works incredibly hard to plan different activities and programs for new students during Welcome Week. In addition to free on-campus activities, there are also several programs for students to register for, like the Freshmen Service Experience, Discover DC, and Explore DC. While these programs do have a $115 fee (roughly), they offer lots to new students. These programs help you to meet other freshmen, older student leaders who can answer your questions, practice using the DC Metro (it’s really easy, I promise), and see new parts of the city. It’s also nice to have two structured and planned days, since you most likely won’t have organized plans during the rest of the week. More information on these programs can be found here.
DON’T be afraid to spend time alone.
I consider myself to be a fairly introverted person, so all of the activities and socializing that came along with Welcome Week were exhausting for me. Don’t feel like a loner if you want to spend a night in with yourself, or go out to eat alone. You will be constantly surrounded by people in college, and it’s okay to want some time alone every now and then. One of the best ways to get away from it all during Welcome Week is to check out the gyms in both Bender Arena and Cassell Hall. Not only will you be getting a great workout, but you can also take some time to relax and clear your head.
DO go out and explore DC.
While you’ll have all semester, and many more after this one, to explore the city, Welcome Week is one of the few times you’ll have absolutely no classes, jobs, or internships to worry about while you’re here. Take advantage of this and use the time to see the monuments, visit a museum, or try a new restaurant. Lots of people will be looking to go downtown, so this can also be a great way to meet other new students.
DON’T worry about when you move in.
Though move-in day is technically Saturday, August 22, you are free to move in anytime between then and Sunday, August 30. If for whatever reason you decide to move in later in the week, don’t worry about missing Welcome Week or the “real” move-in day. Another good friend of mine didn’t move in until the Friday of our Welcome Week, and she was still able to meet lots of people and made plenty of friends. Welcome Week does not dictate your entire college career, so don’t stress out if you miss it or don’t enjoy it.
Welcome Week should be a time for you to meet new people, explore AU and DC, and adjust to college life. Try to make the most of it, and don’t be alarmed if it isn’t as great as you expected. Enjoy Welcome Week, and good luck with your first semester at AU!