Countdown to College: The (Online) Class of 2013
February 25, 2009 Posted in Reality
Back in December, after receiving my wonderfully thick acceptance package; dashing around my house while screaming bloody murder; hugging my mom/dad/dog/the mortified mailman; and texting everyone on my contacts list with blazing speed, I slowed down for a moment and composed myself at my computer. Still hyperventilating yet functioning relatively well, I logged into Facebook and did a quick search for my university’s class of 2013 group, which I had been secretly stalking for the past few days as admitted students began trickling into the members list. Without a moment’s hesitation, I clicked to join the group and sat back in my chair, relishing the second my admission became official – in cyberspace.
After all, if there’s anything the technology age has taught me, it’s that nothing is true until it’s posted to the Internet for the rest of the world to see.
For the first few days, I joined my fellow ‘13ers in the “Get To Know You” type thread and the obligatory message board games (which are excellent procrastination tools, if nothing else). I found myself growing more and more excited for the fall as each new name and face joined the group and posted an emoticon demonstrating their enthusiasm. But soon, the newness began to wear off and the extreme jubilation with it. Once the overall college craze at my school quieted down, I quickly forgot the group even existed. That is, until the friending frenzy began.
Some members of the group went on friend request rampages as soon as they joined, randomly requesting ‘13ers they hadn’t even interacted with in the group and racking up the mutual friend count on their profiles. At first, I figured they were being friendly and trying to get to know some of their future classmates, but only a couple of the friending crusaders made any attempt to communicate with those of us they requested. What was up their sleeves?
Nothing, it seemed, except for a desire to break 1,000 on their friend lists. I found it bizarre that these kids would make their first impression on their future classmates in such an obnoxious fashion. I shied away from them and instead began messaging ‘13ers with whom I had things in common, building the groundwork for new friendships.
While the Facebook friending frenzy was unnecessary and rather immature, I’ve met some ‘13ers through the group that I’m really looking forward to meeting in April at admitted students’ day. The next step is to step out of cyberspace and meet these new acquaintances face-to-face at our home for the next four years.
I just wonder sometimes if meeting these people online first is a good thing, or a terrible idea. What do you think?
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Claire says:
Wed, 25th Feb 200910:03 am
I went through the exact same process after getting accepted… There were many friend requests, but two of them ended up as my best friends here! The others that added me but never made any effort at conversation? I actually see them around campus, but I definitely deleted them off my friends list!
eliz says:
Wed, 25th Feb 200910:47 am
congrats
Back in my day we had to wait to get our email address to create a facebook account before joining groups.. sadly it didn't come in my acceptance package. haha but when I did I didn't friend anyone but I accepted all random requests. After the first few months it becomes so awkward to say "oh nice to meet you but I think you're my facebook friend.."
Liz says:
Wed, 25th Feb 200911:48 am
It doesn't really make much of a difference. I go to a small school and most people made their presence known on facebook before orientation. Facebook relationships don't equate real relationships. They do however, make something hilarious to talk about later. It's always fun to be like "I talked to that kid all summer long" when some terribly awkward human being passes you by or ends up in your class.
Also, as a rule of thumb, anyone you hook up with during the first week is a mistake. A mistake that can be forgiven, but never forgotten.
Lauren says:
Wed, 25th Feb 200912:44 pm
I actually made the facebook group for my class at my school last year. People would recognize my name from the group at the beginning of the year, and actually thanked me for it! My roommate and I actually met first on facebook- we filled out one of the surveys on a thread- and realized we seemed really compatable, so we met in real life. So far so good
Kris says:
Wed, 25th Feb 20095:52 pm
I’m a freshman at a small liberal arts school, and I definitely had experience with the friending frenzy. There were (still are) kids in my class who everyone in the class of 2012 knows because he/she friended everyone in the class of 2012 group. It’s a great way to make a name for yourself, especially at a small school, but it’s not a great way to be known. And I agree with liz, though I do know a couple people who became real life friends with the people they friended over the summer, it does make orientation more awkward if you introduce yourself to someone and they say “Yeah, we’re facebook friends”. so stick with the people you have things in common with, like sports or being from the same state/part of the country, rather than just mass friending everyone.
Abby says:
Wed, 11th Mar 200912:36 pm
My experience was that anyone I met on facebook, I didn't end up being friends with in real life. The only people I really put a great amount of time and effort into getting to know beforehand were my roommates. While it's definitely a very exciting time, the "friends" you make online are unlikely to stay your friends if you don't have any classes together, or if you don't live in the same dorm.