This semester, one of the pervading notions around campus about Geneseo's newest crop of freshmen is just how, well, quiet they are. One piece of evidence that supports this idea is that there were all of (brace yourself) zero disciplinary incidents in the freshmen residence halls the first weekend of school. Hardly what you'd expect from the latest group just released into the big, bad world, right?
Of course we at The Lamron aren't suggesting that vomit-streaked hallways and people getting their stomachs pumped are good things (despite the fact it seems like a long-standing freshmen tradition); God knows we're glad that some seem to be taking a new, temperate approach to college life. But the fact remains that the new class' reputation is significant: Jones' RAs are reporting that this is a far, far quieter group then they were anticipating, and students seem to be largely keeping to themselves.
Of course, you could certainly argue that this is a good thing: If people are focusing on schoolwork, what's the problem? It could very well be the result of Geneseo's much-publicized rising academic reputation. And while we still stand behind our editorial of Sept. 6 that encouraged everyone to remember the real reason they're here, academia, it's important to remember the flipside as well. The college experience can be severely stunted by an approach that doesn't consider the myriad of possibilities for activity and involvement on campus that are vital in complementing academic development.
We also can't say, of course, that the fact of freshmen seeming to keep to themselves in their
dorms means they're not getting involving themselves in student life in other ways (shameless plug for The Lamron: Fun! Real world experience! Free pizza sometimes!) But the apparent existence of this trend is undoubtedly an opportunity to remember the need for a strategic balance. The social and professional development opportunities are numerous, and if people are largely opting to stick to themselves or a small group of friends they've likely already developed, there's a good chance that a lot are missing out on some great things the college has to offer: clubs, activities and the socializing that's a natural result of these things.
So there you have it freshmen (and all others). Keep academics a priority, but open the door in the free time you do have, and find out what this place has to offer. And when you're 21, maybe you can give some more thought to joining the upperclassmen at the bars. God knows that's the only place you'll find us. (Just kidding. Mostly.)