Feb
6
Literacy at “The Big D”
February 6, 2013 | Tagged adaption, communication, Dickinsonian, language, literacy | 3 Comments
The first couple of weeks at Dickinson can definitely be a struggle. For freshman, campus seems huge and like everyone else knows where they are going, except you. Remembering the names of all the different locations and the various routes I could take to get there, I thought, would take a whole semester. Thinking it would be impossible to map out the entire campus in my head, I felt misplaced and lost. Then I began to realize that Dickinson is a beautifully simple and centralized campus. It did not take long for me to share the feeling of being able to consider myself a “Dickinsonian.”
I never thought I could feel so at home during my experience at Dickinson. There are so many welcoming and amazing groups of diverse individuals that I have met here. Even when it seems as though I cannot relate to another student in anyway, I always know there is somehow a connection between us. For one, we share the fact that we are pursuing our education at the same small, private, liberal arts college. But also, within the community, there is a list of unwritten vocabulary spoken in the language of a typical Dickinsonian.
An outsider would probably have a hard time distinguishing a regular conversation involving plans for dinner or studying. Eventually it becomes natural to use words such as “hub”, “snar”, “caf”, “lib”, and so on. In contrast, fellow students would not think it is natural to say Holland Union Building, Union Station, Cafeteria, and even library. From a more narrow perspective, when planning to go out on the weekend, my group of friends and I use Dickinson literacy to navigate to different locations. Among these are places we know as a number like “377” or a vague name such as “townhouse” or “lacrosse McKinney”. If one of us were to mention these to an outsider, they would probably be lost and very confused about what we are referring to. Having a unique language with my friends and the whole community creates a sense of homeliness and connectedness to the people that surround me the most. For me it also shows that no matter where I am at Dickinson, I know that I share some kind of relationship with someone when I least expect it.
Comments
3 Comments so far
I would have to agree that getting adjusted to Dickinson can be a very tough experience, but I also think that the literacy on campus gives Dickinson a community feel and enforces a connection with others. I think that we will find this experience not only with current students, but also with alumni of Dickinson. The Dickinson alumni seem to be very willing to help. For instance, you may want to talk with an alumni about their experiences after college. You may not have anything in common with them, however, you do have the fact that you both have recieved a Dickinson education – and that is a powerful connection to have.
Clara, I think this post is wonderful because it identifies Dickinson literacy and relates to everyone’s initial college experience. I also agree with Michelle in stating that Dickinson is a great connection to have during and subsequent to your time here. I’m glad you’ve adjusted, found a core group of friends, and have become fluent in Dickinson lingo. Good Job!
So fascinating to read this post, Clara, and the comments. You’re definitely describing a *student* literacy. I have no idea what the locations are that you mention (much less where they are!). What are the means by which you all pick this stuff up? Social exchange?