Tulane University - Jambalaya Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

Page 12 text:

o r I e n tation — registration — rush From the first day of orientation, through registration and rushing, confusion reigns supreme as the internal master of all our minds. The beginning of orientation marks the beginning of a new way of life for all the freshman and new students who have not yet been acquainted with the Tulane way. The entire program is carefully planned during the summer by an orien- tation committee of students who devote long preparatory hours to the working out of a successful plan to give informa- tion, and, at the same time, enjoyment to all. When the plan reaches the working point, it is then that the wheels of uni- versity life are set in action, beginning the journey of an- other school year. Before the excitement of orientation has a chance to wear off. we are plunged into perhaps the most confusing aspect of college life — registration. For two days, under and upper- classmen alike are dashing constantly from one place to an- She is probably thinking that if she can once get by this, she has got school knocked. other, making an attempt to begin the school year in a settled fashion. Both Newcomb and Tulane gyms are scenes of this valiant effort, which, if accomplished within a few hours with no gross errors, deserves recognition. It is a feat which is rarely accomplished. Midst the confusion of orientation and registration is Rush Week. The wining and dining, smiles and hangovers begin to also take their toll. When fraternity rush ends the clapping songs and bizarre skits of the girls break into full swing. Then . . . boom, plunk black balls, pledge . . . simple as that! This entire period from the first day of orientation until the last day of sorority rush covers almost three weeks. Although at the end we all wonder how we lived through it. we can see that we did survive, and we ' re glad it all happened because it was fun. It takes many hours of analyzing for the University to come up with such a complicated registration system.

Page 11 text:

• • • arrival into the world of the university Enter llic fri ' shnuiii with ;i jolt . . . deposited iiitn the new wiirld nf iiiii i ' i-ity life. The place is foreign, bewildering, and ;i little frightening to him. Soon, he realizes that he is not aloiu- and that there are many others in the same boat as green and new at this college business as he. This primary feeling of fright gives way to relief, and being a part of this adult world brings a sense of pride . . . I ' m here; I ' m a college student now. .After this initial shock and period of adjustment comes the traumatic experience of unpacking and getting settled. Looking at his roommate he questions, Who gets which closet? . . . or, Wanna get some drapes at the book store? . . . and, Wow, those are some pinups vou got there! ! . . . all this is a part of the first encounter with higher education. When the newness wears of! and the questions and wide eyed looks are erased, then, and only then, the student has arrived. The oldtimer has a different outlook. Cocky and sure of him- self he returns to the academic ( and social) world to see what has been added in the form of new freshman girls, good follow-ups on the little black book from the preceding years, and how the professors have ever managed to survive the long Roommates in the dorms realize the need for pleasing sights during study breaks. summer months without them. There is the pleasure of seeing familiar faces and getting back into the swing of the routine that has molded his life for the past one, two, or three years. Unpacking??? That can wait; there are more important things to do. I .Many, however, believe that it saves trouble when the end of the year rolls around if one just does not unpack at all.) Newcombers discuss the attire for the coming year. ' hat really lies behind that smile may be the fearful mind of a scared frosh.

Page 13 text:

Now, let ' s see, what was the birthday of my great grand- mother ' s sister? Rush week is a time for fast talking and plenty of parties.