Monthly Archives: August 2012

Morgan Field

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The first day I arrived on campus I spent the majority of my time walking around and trying to find a familiar face from the few people I knew from accepted students day, or even to find someone who was interesting to me. The problem was that no one was outside. Morgan field was entirely empty. So I sat down in an Adirondack chair to read and relax and was invited to sit with a group of kids who I of course assumed were freshman as well. Little did I know they were actually mainly “townies” and a junior at Dickinson. As orientation progressed I found that everyone became more friendly and more students were outside playing frisbee or socializing. Whenever I walked by someone greetings and smiles were exchanged. It reminded me of a story my psychology teacher from high school told me about his college in Tennessee. He said that he always assumed girls were interested in him because of how friendly they acted to him. It wasn’t until later that he realized it was only southern hospitality.

I do not feel that was the case on Morgan field. At least all the freshman were still in the phase were everyone is friendly with each other because you never know who could be the person with the potential to become a close friend. As the upperclass mans had arrived Morgan field’s general air has changed to me. Although it  busier with more students studying and chatting outside it doesn’t have the same affect as the first few days. The older students tend to ignore the freshman and as we ourselves are slowly developing friendships we have become more selective in who we choose to talk with. Hopefully in a few more weeks it will transform into more of a community feel without so much segregation between freshman and the older students when they come appreciate us as people as apposed to the immature children they seem to view us as.

The delicious transition

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The cafeteria room in the HUB building was, for the first couple days of orientation, packed to the rim with people, with lines extending long past the cashier. The sound of hundreds of people could be heard from outside, filled with excited conversation from the eager, but anxious first-year students. Most of these freshmen, if not all, were prepared for the day with a precise schedule, with a date for everything, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

However, as the days went by, it became clear that these meals became less of rigidly-placed times of day, and more of casual meetings, set up whenever the students desired to eat. This was consistent with the rest of orientation, all into the beginning of the academic term itself. As we are making the transition from high school students to university scholars, we are becoming more independent. Thus, it has, and will even further, become true that we take control of our lives and schedules, even if it be simply for lunch.

The Cafeteria

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Cafeteria

 

I walked into the cafeteria and noticed that there were more people than usual.  As I was trying out for the soccer team, I had been on campus for four days already.  This was my domain.  I joined the team in making fun of the scared looking freshman, as well as checking out the cute new girls.  I was part of an Alpha group, I suppose.  I even considered hazing some of those freshmen.  Indeed, I am one as well, but I was indeed still savoring some residue of my senior status in high school.  I watched, with my gang, as my peers looked around, tripped over seats and looked for someone they were half introduced during a tour.  I was comfortable with the twenty-five others whom I could count on to keep me from seeming like a loner.  It was quiet, now that I think about it, in the cafeteria.  There was noise, but the attitudes were still subdued.  No one would do anything to have himself classified in some way or another.

Then the rest arrived, and I was no longer on the team.  I looked out upon the sea of heads.  There was boasting and bravado, and whatever it is that girls do to show who is dominant.  It was almost a fever in which the student body interacted with each other.  They hugged each other as they were reunited with the friends that they had not seen throughout the entire summer.  There was intensity in their competition that made me feel as if it were a competition to see who could relate the most stories as fast as possible.  It was the energy of wild beasts on edge.  I was scared at this intensity.  They were excited so at the necessity of socializing.  I spilled my chocolate milk.  Embarrassed, I asked for a rag, cleaned the mess, and found a place to sit at an empty table.

The House

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The House

 

When we all first came together at what is called ‘The House’, it was a new set of faces. I could only recognize one other, as we had been in contact for many months before. We all arrived one after the other and were led to the back of the establishment where we were told to ‘hang out and get acquainted’. We all stood in some sort of uneven circle, looking around us and at our feet, nobody speaking. There would be the occasional eye-to-eye contacts, and heads bowing. As more arrived, the circle became messier. Some of us shook hands and said no more than our names. The entire situation was, not necessarily uncomfortable or awkward, but tense. We were all clearly nervous about the approaching examination. As the commanders made their rounds, conversations began to come about, as the ice was broken slightly by the senior officers. We all began to get acquainted casually as we waited for further instructions. As we began to open up, a large portion of the excitement disappeared, as a large part of the nervousness was for what sorts of guys the others were. Jokes were being exchanged and the scene was becoming a very normal get-together.

 

The final 200 meters of the physical examination was where it became clear that we were not simply friends, but in many respects family. As we ran on the very final bits of energy left in us, we still found it from deep down to yell and cheer each other on. One by one we’d pass through the finish and collapse beside the senior officers, who were also cheering us as we burned every bit of strength we had left. In just an hour, we had gone from being absolutely silent to being partners. A team.

 

Military, being what it is, forges men. It builds character and incomparable friendships. Being around the other cadets, both new and old, was first very tense. We were all nervous, and there was a considerable amount of ice to be broken before any of us could comfortably open up. Now, almost a week later, we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together. Talk about life, family, girls, school and everything else we can think of. Our friendships have turned into something that normally would take months to forge. In the words of Lieutenant Colonel Lugar, ‘we are a family, and a team.’ Almost a week later, the military house is now my favorite spot to socialize in. We all come together to keep each other motivated and to support one another. The point to this is time. Everything takes time to develop and mature. The military house went from a 5am wake up ‘burden’ to the place we are all most excited to get to during the day.

Welcome

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I want to extend a welcome to all  my new students. Depending on the course in which you are enrolled, you will be using this blog either frequently or sporadically. I encourage you to set aside some time in a quiet location so that you can familiarize yourself with the blog features well before your first post or comment is due. Always remember to select the correct category for your course and name and add tags as appropriate.

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