As someone who made a LOT of mistakes their freshman o-week, I have established a sort of “survival guide” to start off the year with a bang and set the tone for a fabulous semester.
This is semi-Cornell specific, but these are basic tips for anyone experiencing their own version of O-Week.
Be friendly: First and foremost, be open and make friends. Knock on your neighbors doors, invite people to meals or to go out and do something. Not everyone you meet during your first week is going to be your new BFF. But you're all in the same boat trying to find your way in this new place. Introduce yourself to as many people as you have the opportunity to. It'll pay off.
Buddy Up: I cannot stress enough how important this is, especially if you are a freshman or transfer. You may think you know your way around Collegetown from your endless campus visits, but trust me, you don’t. I still get lost after a whole year there, even more so at night after you’ve been partying, whatever that may mean to you. There is nothing worse than being that person who gets woken up by a police officer while napping in a bush at 4am because you couldn’t find your way home (yes this happened to a friend of mine). Also it’s a great way to bond with your new classmates.
But don’t be in large groups: If you’re in a group larger than four or five you might as well be holding a huge neon sign saying freshman. If you are a large group walking into Collegetown, people WILL chant fresh meat at you (usually while passing CTB). Even worse, when trying to enter a party the guys will give you a hard time more often than not. Don’t get me wrong they’ll let you in, O-week is just giant open parties for the most part, but they’ll try to scare you.
Pace yourself: You have the rest of the next four years to go crazy. Pace yourself. Drink lots of water. Eat dinner. Don’t forget you still have classes next week, and orientation events in the morning. For many of you it’ll be the first time you’re surrounded by limitless free drinks. Don’t forget you’re human and there are limits.
Avoid floorcest: Floorcest is the common term for hooking up with someone who is living on your floor. This is a bad idea, especially O-week because honestly, you don’t know these people, you don’t know if you’ll actually like them in two weeks and then you have the awkward running in to each other basically every day for the whole year. Really, if you listen to anything I write in this article, listen to this. DO NOT DO IT! Yes, woohoo college, new people and all that jazz, but there are tons of new people not living on your floor. It makes for awkward situations. If you’re super attracted to someone, you still will be in a few weeks when you know this person better and can decide if it is something you would like to pursue.
Be aware of your ratio: The ratio is a complex art. Basically you can’t have more guys than girls, but it needs to be an obvious enough margin that counting is unnecessary. Sorry boys, but you’re going to have to split up. (This is a rule for any open party during the year).
