GLORIA SHELLER
Staff Writer
As the new school year approached, a small, dark cloud hung over my head. Thinking that my freshman year was officially over, I have started my descent into the sophomore slump.
Now a senior, I have reflected on my freshman year at Pepperdine and can only imagine that it will go down in the books as the best year of my college career.
There is no other time that students can ask OneStop dumb questions about scheduling and get away with nothing more than a muttered “freshmen,” as they scamper away.
There is no other year when students will introduce themselves simply as so and so, from some place, majoring in something.
There are no other opportunities to make a first impression on a college campus.
Now freshmen are at a new school making new friends and taking classes they never even knew existed. With a clean slate, freshmen can begin the unmarked and unparalleled journey toward building the characters of the kind of people they want to become.
This is why it is important for our new freshman to grab every opportunity to get involved in something on campus that comes their way. There is no place like Pepperdine to have an outstanding first year at college. New Student Orientation for example is a great warm up for freshman and transfer students to begin their transformation into true Waves.
Events such as Frosh Follies get students riled up for the year to come. It also gives upperclassmen a chance to meet the freshmen (or at least watch them dancing around in an embarrassing manner).
There is always room for more to join Riptide. The first Convocation is a good way for students to ease into the weekly Wednesday routine. Most students still have their parents around to help them through their first Convo, just in case it gets too intense.
Students even get to begin their Pepperdine journey with a barbeque in the same place they will one day hopefully graduate — Alumni Park.
Even after all the hand holding of NSO is over, new students are still offered plenty of chances to join fun clubs like the Swashbucklers Society, get on-campus jobs (“working” in the gym) , and check out different organizations like Campus Ministry and SGA.
Dance in Flight for example is a huge program, starring Pepperdine students, put on by the school showcasing all types of dance.
It is an awesome way for students who are talented dancers to meet more people with the same interests and a way show off their crazy moves to the rest of the school and community.
Don’t miss an excellent chance to get involved with something different and challenging. You’ll find that when the door closes, you might feel regret. “Dance in Flight is a wonderful opportunity that I wish I could have been a part of,” said sophomore Annalise Dry, who didn’t make it to last years tryouts.
But for students who aren’t lucky enough to be great artists, there are so many other things to do.
While Pepperdine is a Division 1 school, most of our athletes are not on the D1 teams.
They are participating in intramural sports like soccer and basketball. It is a perfect way to have fun and keep off weight gained from Caf food.
Why not over fill your plates new students? Not with food, of course, but with activities. Have fun while you still can.
After a while, the Payson Library will begin to seem more like home than your apartment, going out during the week will be only but a memory, and you’ll chat with your professors more than your parents.
Joining an organization or club is a good way to stay grounded and stay fun while on this while college ride. Freshman, get ready.
This is the time of your life.
8-28-2006