First-years were welcomed to STU in a dry fashion with a wide array of social, community service and academic events in this year’s super hero-themed Welcome Week.
Having a complete schedule of events to attend by choice eased what would have been a difficult transition to life as a post-secondary student. Most of the friends I am glad to have made are people I met at Welcome Week festivities.
Aside from the campus events, which included the cheer-off, STU carnival, Operation Ignition, comedy night and talent show, each residence held their own activities with friendship creation in mind. In Harrington, we played icebreaker games prior to the cheer-off, held a slip-and-slide, participated in a water war against Holy Cross House and Vanier Hall and played capture the flag.
Most students likely got acquainted with me after the somewhat unexpected dance party involving off-campus students and most of the audience that I managed to start while dancing to I Like to Move It by Reel 2 Real at the talent show.
I’m proud to be a Raider, especially after learning that Harrington was the house with the highest rate of participation in Shinerama this year. I, along with a handful of fellow Raiders, assisted with the barbecue at Sobeys on Regent Street and had a great time.
As a non-drinker, I enjoyed the fact that Welcome Week was dry. As a result, I could meet and get to know people for who they truly are and not while any of us were under the influence.
Mature student and fellow Raider Stacey Dawe was satisfied overall with Welcome Week and is experiencing difficulty in picking a highlight. In contrast, the highlight of my week was the dance party.
Dawe enjoyed the hypnotist show the most, along with the Wing Wars and Don’t Forget the Lyrics events. She also sees benefits in a dry week.
“It enables people to socialize in the first week without feeling like they have to drink to fit in,” she said. Dawe added that the house leaders did an awesome job.
“They’re very fun but responsible people.”
The academic transition sessions also were beneficial in making the jump to university classes. The T-pin ceremony put the icing on the cupcake in officially welcoming me to the STU community.
To say that I look forward to future university events in the coming months and years would be a classic understatement.
