You’re a Wabash Man Now: Recommendations for the Class of 2013
I’m going to start this list with the disclaimer that this isn’t all you need to do to be a successful freshman. Hopefullyyou’ve already picked up most of the necessary tips from friends, family, and teachers. These are just a few things that I wish someone would have told me (or, rather, some things I wish I would have retained).
First, you’re already off to a good start. Read campus publications and emails. Not only will you learn about campus opinions and events, but they’ll occasionally offer
vital information if you want to be involved in campus discussions. You’ll learn which publications are worthwhile, so an initial read of an issue can save you time later as you weed out some magazines and commit other publications to memory (Read: The Phoenix).
Second, think then speak. When entering a new atmosphere, you need to survey your surroundings first. In other circles, you can say something stupid and people will ignore it, accept it, or overlook it. This is Wabash, and Wabash men ask, “Why?” While this initially might seem awkward or intrusive (and it’s often a little of both) a community searching for truth provides a deeper, more fulfilling experience.
So rethink your communication strategy. Facebook is for events. Personal wants are for the ads section (http://www2.wabash.edu/classifieds/). The Bachelor is for editorials. We have other publications for eclectic diatribes.
Set your priorities early. Last year, I came in to Wabash with literally nothing on my plate. After catching up on the television shows I’d stopped watching (the start of a love-hate relationship with hulu.com), I fluttered around from activity to activity with no clear direction. This will inevitably happen with a liberal arts degree at a small college with so many opportunities, but try to pick up meaningful activities. Only so much Family Guy can help you achieve your goals.
So ask advice – about everything from everyone. Of course, not everyone’s advice will be relevant, but you’ll learn to discern who knows what. Professors are always great resources. Not only can they help you in class, but they’re actually great, real people worth your time.
Take part in the uniqueness of Wabash at every opportunity. College will be over before you know it (or so you tell me), so you really need to maximize the benefits of your education. Part of this means looking out for Wabash peculiarities and traditions.
Partake in Chapel Sing! Literally, any freshman on campus can join the competition, so support your fraternity/independence! Not only will you become uncomfortably familiar with “Old Wabash,” but you’ll get to know some guys you’re living with pretty well. Fraternities, to the best of my knowledge, compel participation, but Independents are still proudly remembering the day when every Wabash man would sing the fight song.
And, if you really want the full Wabash experience, commit to the Alma Mater Sing, where you show your vocal eloquence to another of Wabash’s classic tunes.
Show up to any given Wabash sporting event (way cooler than your high school). Wear red, come ready to cheer, and learn the everyday traditions that make Wabash what it is. While we’re on the subject of sports, leave the high school letter jacket at home. Everyone and his mother has one, and your former sports team means nothing to most people here. Start wearing a lot of red. This is Wabash, and you are now proud to be one of us. And feel free to ask questions if you don’t get something. I definitely wouldn’t have started avoiding the Arch otherwise.
Go to everything, stick with a couple of things. Coming from the man who went to virtually every call-out meeting, I can say authoritatively that there’s something for everyone on this campus. One of the greatest selling points about Wabash is the student-run activities (some of which I’ll promote at the end of this article). So, if by some horrible twist of fate there isn’t a club that you enjoy, start one. Starting a club is difficult, but grab an older student to help you, and then run with the idea. After witnessing the birth of L.A.S.E.R.T.A.G. and serving under Supreme Commander Sidebottom, I know that anything can happen with motivated individuals working for their goal.
Wabash, and, more specifically, the people you are living with, won’t change you as much as you might think. Sure, they’ll pull you away from the path you’re on, but, more often than not, the Wabash community will enhance certain characteristics you already possess. So now is the time to take a big breath and look at where you’re going in life. If that needs to change, then start looking for who you want to be more like and associate with those people. Not rocket science.
While you’re at it, check out the Career Center. From what I’ve been told, it takes most Wabash students about two years to settle into an excellent job. The Career Center is working to change that statistic. From mock interviews to help getting a real interview, the Career Center is armed with a squadron of capable Peer Advisors (a peerless network) and numerous specialized events to help you define and achieve your goals.
Watch what you consume. Not only is this good for obeying the law (sorry underage beer fans) but it’s pretty important for your health too. While Indiana still ranks ahead of Wisconsin on the healthiness scale, we’re at least the 16th fattest state in the union. And that’s fat – even for Americans. When citizens start being irresponsible in an area of their lives, the government has another excuse to expand behavioral regulation. Now’s the time to set the habits that you’ll have for the rest of your life. Interesting health related side note—coffee has a half-life of six hours, so if you have a cup of coffee at dinner to help with studying, you’ll start a cycle of tension, dependency, and bad breath. (Just sayin’.)
So on to a brief analysis of campus clubs. This list isn’t definitive (I’m not so sophomoric as to think my experience is comprehensive), but it could prove useful to you.
The Wabash Conservative Union/The Phoenix – a solid, likeminded group of guys led by the fearless Cassius Austin Rovenstine. We have Bush-lovers and haters, but we generally all agree that less government is good and responsibility should lie in the hands of individual citizens. Regular meetings and a tri-semester publication. Events are intellectually stimulating and typically followed by some of the headiest conversation on campus (which is saying something).
If you own a Mac, you should attend every Student Mac Users Group (SMUG) meeting you can. Subway plus gloriously relevant computer tips… a great way to spend your Tuesday lunchtime.
The Parliamentary Union is comprised of an extremely talented group of individuals pursuing gentlemanly debate at other colleges. Group regulars are more than willing to help you develop your own speaking and can provide phenomenal assistance. Every Wabash man should give this group a try.
There are two clubs which formed last semester that definitely deserve your attention: the Case Study Club and Mock Trial Club. The Case Study Club meets biweekly to discuss business dilemmas and problem-solving strategy. Combined with a Case Study Competition, this club is a huge asset to a liberal arts education.
Second, the Mock Trial Club, an offshoot of the PreLaw Society, essentially begins a Wabash man’s law education. While larger schools have specialized programs to prepare students, the Mock Trial club utilizes a myriad of resources to prepare for the trial. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in law, debate, or acting.
Alpha Phi Omega is the service fraternity of Wabash College. Donating a total of $10,000 last year to charity, APO provides the campus with ample opportunities to serve in the local community. From building houses with Habitat for Humanity to walking dogs with the Humane Society, APO does it all.
The Independent Men’s Association (IMA) provides several excellent events throughout the year, from cookouts to a movie on the mall.
Similarly, the MXI provides the campus with a myriad of activities—notably the Soul Food Dinner in the second semester.
In fact, if there’s one thing that the various cultural groups provide this campus without fail, it’s phenomenal food accompanied by informative lectures. While I’m not a member of the Asian Student Society, I will wholeheartedly vouch for their events. Interesting topics accompanied by exotic food. Could any man ask for more? The same goes for Unidos Por Sangre’s excellent Carne Asada. I have personally attended every meeting of the French club that offered food, despite a complete ignorance of the language. While membership to these clubs may be rather niche, they consistently
supply the student body with inclusive opportunities to appreciate foods outside of typical college fare.
Niche clubs flourish on this campus. We have clubs for artists, bowlers, brewers, cigar aficionados, chefs, dorks, journalists, laser warriors, legitimate MMA warriors, outdoorsmen, ping pong ballers, sailors… not to mention the countless academic groups.
You’ll start seeing benefits from the Student Senate soon (if you haven’t already). From funding the clubs to orchestrating events, the Student Senate works to facilitate a healthy student life.
Wabash College is one of the greatest investments you can make in this point in your life. You have the freedom to do as you please. Like putting the United States in the hands of the individual citizens, the success of the entire body is contingent upon the individual members’ personal responsibility. For the rest of your life, you are a Wabash man. On behalf of The Phoenix staff, I wish you luck.
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