Its not that as a SOCS member I miss out on most events. I'm happy with them but the time you held the MAC Connector was the perfect time for physical activities. I mean the PJ Parade could've been earlier and you could've had the airbands in that Slot. Atleast its been hell for me cause I have to wear jackets to physically active events to prevent sunburn which makes it even hotter for me. And plus Im an international so for me its even harder to get to know people and invading cliques @ SOCS events, gets you those looks from people. And the dumbest part was, International students orientation is on the last day of welcome week. So I get to know other "LONER" internationals after welcome week actually finished. Which is LAME. The planning needs to improve wayyyyyy to much. It seems pretty disorganized to me.

I barely talk to people due to self esteem >_>

Also, I'm very very very sure I give off that "Do I *look* like a people person?" vibe

Originally Posted by jc0390

I barely talk to people due to self esteem >_>

Also, I'm very very very sure I give off that "Do I *look* like a people person?" vibe

Smile more .

aj-maxx, I'm no longer involved in WW planning, but I was for a long time - so I can address some of the issues that you presented. The first thing you need to know is that the structure of WW as a whole hasn't changed very much at all in the last 8 years. There certainly have been tweaks here and there, and new events have been added to replace ones that weren't as successful, but the basic schedule has remained fundamentally the same, because it seems to work quite well. Things like bedraces, the outdoor concert, faculty day/night, the Mac Connector, PJ Parade, and airbands have been around seemingly forever, and pretty much on the same dates, too.

Originally Posted by aj-maxx

have nothing at the Faculty hollow at night. The bugs kill us (atleast me). Have stuff indoors.

Mosquitos have been particularly bad this year, but I honestly would never want to move the concerts indoors. Up until a couple of years ago, there always was one outdoor concert, and one indoor one - and the indoor one always sucked. It wasn' t because of the bands chosen necessarily, but rather because of the venues used - the only ones big enough are gyms, which have horrible acoustics and atmosphere, and get really hot and stuffy. I think we're really lucky to have as good a natural venue as Faculty Hollow, and I wish it was used throughout the year for concerts.

Originally Posted by aj-maxx

Make it more fun.

I'm honestly not sure how to respond to that. It's not like the events are designed to be boring; some aren't everyone's cup of tea, but that's why they try to plan both high- and low-energy events - it caters to different types of people.

Originally Posted by aj-maxx

Try watching Frosh videos of other universities.

At the end of WW there will be a Mac WW video that I'm sure will look pretty much exactly like what most other universities have. When you edit a week down to 10 minutes of concentrated awesomeness, it's always going to look really fun - and I don't think that Mac's is any exception. We have a much better WW program than some universities, which don't do very much at all.

Originally Posted by aj-maxx

Have physically active events from 5-8 and not in the afternoon. Do you even have any idea how many people are complaining of sunburns?

Yup. Reps get them particularly bad every year - but that's why it's always important to wear sunscreen! There just aren't enough hours in the day to have every outdoor event between 5 and 8 - a lot is crammed into the week, and they have to fit it in wherever possible. I personally think that early September weather is really beautiful, though, so I'd rather be outside!

SOCS has done an excellent job at integrating off-campus students with the residences and WW events (I still remember the first time they ever won the WW Cup, it was craziness), but I still think that in some ways the full WW experience is only really had by those living on campus. It's an unforunate reality, but often it's much easier to plan events for people who actually live together (since it's a smaller group), and a different kind of bond/friendship can be formed between them as a result. Any time you have to share your personal space (and essentially your lives) with others, it can either be a disaster, or an incredible experience. Hopefully WW helps make it the latter.

But no matter where you're living, if you haven't had all that great an experience so far, I can pretty confidently say that it's going to get better. WW can be overwhelming at times, and while some people fully embrace it and thrive on the energy, others can find it downright depressing. WW is not "real life"; we truly hope that it's one of the best experiences you've had in yours, but after its over things tend to settle down and often that's when the real personality of people starts to come out. At that time, hopefully all of you who are a little down will truly start to shine, and you'll see why many people consider their years at university to be the best in their lives.

Originally Posted by Cippi

Mosquitos have been particularly bad this year, but I honestly would never want to move the concerts indoors. Up until a couple of years ago, there always was one outdoor concert, and one indoor one - and the indoor one always sucked. It wasn' t because of the bands chosen necessarily, but rather because of the venues used - the only ones big enough are gyms, which have horrible acoustics and atmosphere, and get really hot and stuffy. I think we're really lucky to have as good a natural venue as Faculty Hollow, and I wish it was used throughout the year for concerts.

I can vouch for the terrible acoustics. From 2004-2006 all of the concerts (the main, Saturday night concert) were inside...and the sound was absolutely friggin' terrible, and it was as hot as hell in there.

I hate the biting bastards too (I'm apparently quite tasty as well), but I'd rather put my suit all the way up (I'm a rep), than deal with having to do stuff indoors. It rained almost all WW 2006...and so everything was moved indoors. It sucked. A lot.

I like how someone pointed out that its tiresome asking the same questions over and over again, its so true. Here's how my week has gone so far...

Hi, whats your name?
*person answers*
I'm Katie.
Are you living on Campus?
*person answers*
what rez?
*person answers*
oh really, thats cool I live in Bates, 3rd floor.
What faculty are you in?
*person answers*
Oh cool. I'm in Social Science Psychology.
Well I have to go do _______, see you around

*repeat all of the above*

Ah, the double door awkwardness that is involved in living in Bates (and Keyes too). Unfortunately because there are no common areas in Bates for the entire floor to hang out on, it can be a lot harder to get to know people in your res.

However, if you get involved in residence activities (Welcome Week or not), you'll be better able to meet people in your building, and thus have people to hang out with. You can also get involved in other activities on campus (clubs, IRC etc), and get to meet more people.

I've been lucky in that I've met people through clubs (and other friends) and have added to my list of friends/acquaintances.

You can do so too! I'm rather socially awkward. A lot.

yeah, this thread is perfect for me. in large social settings, everyone is in their groups, and i'm too shy to just join in, and small groups i feel really awkward in. welcome week was kind of useless for meeting people, i met more people on the elevator and passing in the halls than i did at welcome week. but most nights i'm just in my room, on the net. i need to stop being so shy!

Luckily online discussion forums help break boundaries :-)

I agree with what has been said by others, that it really is up to you to take initiative and seek out opportunities to meet others. But as we've seen here, people meet others in different ways and large social events like MacConnector just don't work for some because they are turned off by the large intimidating crowds. My best advice would be joining a club that you're interested in as clubs are, on the most part, made up of a small to medium sized group of people who plan events and have fun times together. If you join early (aka. go to the first meeting or event) then you're able to meet others and make connections early before the 'clique' feeling starts to kick in where people know each other already.

MacInsiders would like to run an event soon to help people meet others, whether it be a social event or something more 'low key'. Any ideas? I've always found that bowling is a great way to both have fun and meet people when it isn't your turn to bowl

boooooooooowling, i love bowling!

Honestly, I've attended all the Welcome Week events and I have enjoyed all of them. I have no complaints except the overlapping of events but I understand that it had to be done in order to squeeze all the events in. I still tried to attend all the events even when they overlapped. The only thing I missed was the hypnotist yesterday which suck cause I really wanted to see him :( On the bright side, I went to the charity casino and won a trip for two to Montreal from the raffle. But yeah I'd just like to thank all the WW reps for their hard work. I actually met a lot of people through Welcome Week but it could just be because of the fact that I live at Brandon and I end up talking to everyone I see lol. Anyway, anyone feel free to drop by room 916 at Brandon anytime if you're bored or simply want to meet people. We usually have a lot of activity on my floor's common room except for the past two days because most people left for their homes. By the way, yessss bowling sounds like a great idea!

Bowling sounds great.

Originally Posted by jamescw1234

yeah, this thread is perfect for me. in large social settings, everyone is in their groups, and i'm too shy to just join in, and small groups i feel really awkward in. welcome week was kind of useless for meeting people, i met more people on the elevator and passing in the halls than i did at welcome week. but most nights i'm just in my room, on the net. i need to stop being so shy!

I'm in third year and unfortunately, due to work, I have not been to a welcome week yet so I am very far behind on the friend meeting. I am also just like you, I wish I could just go upto someone and introduce myself but it's just too awkward for me

Originally Posted by spiotrowski

I agree lol, I feel lonerish sitting in my room too haha, I didn't go to faculty night so that's why.
yawwwn, i had homework tonight too.
boooo.

Homework that early, that sucks. Are you on or off campus? If your on campus then don't worry about it since you will be able to meet tons of people in rez. If your off campus then you should get involved in some clubs. Most of my friends I met were through intramural sports

Originally Posted by feonateresa

Well, it's like this I think. I'm living off-campus, and while SOCS is a great organization, it didn't really come through for me. I walked onto campus on Sunday, and everyone was in cliques already. It's hard to approach groups of people and be like, "Heyyyy I'm Feona and I go to MAC, yeaahh" haha. But I don't mind, I'll meet people, just not this week. ;P

Ha, I'm a member of SOCS and it's true, however, you need to remember that these cliques weren't always there, they were formed which gives you the opportunity to possibly fit in or create one with first years that will last until you graduate. Again I would say get involved with the SOCS intramurals. I play basically every SOCS intramural they have and it's a great way to meet people. The problem is that we have too many people coming out and have 3x the team you need but whatever

Hey guys,

I understand where everyone is coming from, and it's awesome that you are all offering up your suggestions and opinions, but I don't think it is fair to generalize and say that WW sucked, and was disorganized. I agree that is was overwhelming, and that is everything may not have floated everyones boat, but the people planning this did an awesome job. The opportunities given to you can only be as good as you make them. I don't want to go on a whole rant, but you can't complain about events, if you were sitting in your room and not giving them a chance. It is okay to give like constructive critisism, but to go as far as calling something lame that people have been working on for months? Anyways I'm sure if you went to any other Frosh week the events would be as spirited as they were here, and honestly this week was extremley fun for me, and I'm not one of those over the top enthusiastic people. I found it easy to become involved because everyone is in the same situation you are, not knowing anyone else. So I'm sorry if WW was not what you anticipated, but please to not blame people who have given their own time us first years, and don't bash stuff you didn't give a fair chance. I hope the rest of your year improves for you, just make it what you want it to be I had an awesome time, and I think the rest of my year will be great too!

Originally Posted by LWright

Hey guys,

I understand where everyone is coming from, and it's awesome that you are all offering up your suggestions and opinions, but I don't think it is fair to generalize and say that WW sucked, and was disorganized. I agree that is was overwhelming, and that is everything may not have floated everyones boat, but the people planning this did an awesome job. The opportunities given to you can only be as good as you make them. I don't want to go on a whole rant, but you can't complain about events, if you were sitting in your room and not giving them a chance. It is okay to give like constructive critisism, but to go as far as calling something lame that people have been working on for months? Anyways I'm sure if you went to any other Frosh week the events would be as spirited as they were here, and honestly this week was extremley fun for me, and I'm not one of those over the top enthusiastic people. I found it easy to become involved because everyone is in the same situation you are, not knowing anyone else. So I'm sorry if WW was not what you anticipated, but please to not blame people who have given their own time us first years, and don't bash stuff you didn't give a fair chance. I hope the rest of your year improves for you, just make it what you want it to be I had an awesome time, and I think the rest of my year will be great too!

Honestly, I didn't mean to blame any of the people who were involved in planning Welcome Week. I CAN see that it was fun for many people and they enjoyed it, but I was being honest in saying that I didn't. And fact of the matter is, many other people felt the same way too. I think it's better that these people be honest, so that next year they can make it even better for the first years. Welcome Week isn't for everyone, but not all first years know that, so they go through it feeling like, well, that blew nuts. Soo.. I understand where you're coming from, and indeed everyone should always have constructive criticism.