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Not rushing? Not in a social club?

How you can still enjoy Rush & Induction Weeks

Students talkingJanuary 14, 2019 - Daryn McMinn

Right after the “most wonderful time of the year” comes what can sometimes feel like the loneliest time of the year. For “indies,” those of us who are not involved in a social club at Ouachita, Rush Week and Induction Week can totally change your normal social interactions because your club friends are so busy. But don’t worry! I’m here to tell you that it is possible for you to survive those first two weeks back from Christmas break – and have fun doing it.

To prepare yourself for those two weeks, start making a mental list of friends or people you know who aren’t involved in or going to join a social club. I know it might seem like an impossible task to think of even a handful of people to add to that list, but I promise, we’re out here if you look hard enough! And even if you can’t think of anybody, I guarantee you’ll find some of us to hang out with. We’re the only people you’ll ever see anytime after class!

Once you have indies in mind, be purposeful about spending time with them. You will especially want to make sure you find someone to eat meals with in the caf so that you’re not feeling excluded amidst conversations about rush parties and difficult induction duties. I personally like to find one really close friend whom I can always count on to eat my meals with, but it’s nice to switch it up sometimes and eat with my other indie friends.

In addition to mealtimes, be intentional about spending quality time with other indies in the evenings and on weekends. It’s important to have fun with others while your social club friends are out doing their fun things. Some of my favorite things to do with other indies are to have movie nights in my dorm room, go on campus drive arounds (CDAs) and take late night trips to Waffle House. This year, I’m also looking forward to possibly making a trip up to Hot Springs with friends to walk around downtown, which is a fun little adventure that I will always highly recommend to others.

There also will be several campus events you might want to add to your calendar during Induction Week. Campus Ministries will host Pancake Palooza on Saturday, January 20, at 9 a.m. in the Stu. It’s free! Campus Activites will host a movie and pizza night on Tuesday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Stu (showing “The Incredibles 2”). Hannah Pilcher, Resident Director, also will be hosting a girls’ event the evening of Friday, January 18, for independent girls on campus. Ladies from all classes, not just freshman, are welcome.

Give yourself a break during rush and pledge week if you’re an indie. Know that these two weeks are unlike any other weeks on campus, and that you will have time with your social club friends again once they’re over. Just don’t sit around waiting for your semester to begin until after rush and pledge week. I promise, there’s much joy to be found and many memories to be made with the other indies during this time! Pour into each individual friendship you have and know that God has a purpose in bringing you joy and love through each of those.
 

Daryn McMinnBy Daryn McMinn, junior English major from Royse City, Texas. 

 

 

 

 

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