Back from watching Running Man!

The end of July to start of August 2013 was basically about meeting new people, making new friends. After CSC camp in July, I attended my last 2 orientation camps as a freshie. Well, at least looking back now I do not regret the times at the camps I have attended. First it was Temasek hall camp from 26th July to 2nd Aug which I attended 4 out of the 8 days. The next 4 days were spent at Science Orientation Week, named SOW in short. 

Games during Hall camp were really amazing. It was definitely a level higher than what I have seen in camps I have attended so far in school. First, it was all student-led activities. Second, they were all pretty original. Given its authenticity (which probably may be prevalent in other hall camps perhaps), there were tons of preparation by the crew who planned those events. I applaud the creative juices and effort the organising committe managed to squeeze out.

However, what I didn't really enjoy was duration of the camp. 8 days were simply too long! I meant, if it was 8 days of continuous activities and fun, I'm sure I would have missed the camp when it all ends. However, I got a little disappointed as there were simply too much waiting time in between events. While much filler activities came in to kill time in terms of bonding games, it kinda of dwindled when we were still playing it on the 4th day. There were days which were spent actually at waiting for nothing. Luckily I was spared of that as those times that happened on the 5th day onwards. Seniors mentioned that the camp would be even more fun as the days went by. Well, it was below my expectations.

Perhaps I could not click well with hall friends. Most people from Science faculty would have chose King Edward VII Hall instead given its relative closer distance to Science. However, I chose Temasek as I thought it would actually be good to know people from other faculties too. During the camp, I realised I could not assimiliate myself into the community. Socialising and acting to be friendly to know people perhaps isn't my style. I've tried but maybe I was not good enough. At the same time, most people in the same block were already friends before they met in hall. So it was natual tendency for one to stick with the familiar faces then to go out of comfort zone and try to know someone new instead. For someone who came alone to have a whole new experience of making new friends who have no other connections with you before, it was tough. It was not a good feeling when trying to fit in the crowd. That made me wonder whether that was what I wanted. It was those times when most people would turn to their phones instead to feel safe in this unfamiliar environment. And I was no exception. I'll talk about my experience in hall some other day. For now, let me move on to SOW which I managed to escape from the awkwardness and loneliness I had during hall camp.

Attending SOW on my 5th day staying in campus was a relief. It was about meeting new faces and making friends all over again. It felt like I pressed the reset button and ended up in another new game. I was kind of accustomed to the bonding games and ice-breakers they had since after having played that for the last 4 days during hall camp, there's nothing much left to expect. Nevertheless, there were slight variations from those I have experienced in the other camps. I found it relatively easier to make friends with people from science. Perhaps of similar background and similar way of thinking, there was little barrier to communication and I felt more pleasant. I was not exactly 100% present during SOW though, since I went back hall on the 3rd day for 'a compulsory activity which everyone in Temasek hall needed to participate'. Plus, I went back hall at night to sleep during SOW so that was lesser time to get to know everyone. Nevertheless, SOW was also another great experience since I felt more comfortable with my orientation friends.

 

At the end of the day, I think SOW was more of getting to know friends from the same faculty, people who generally share the same interests as you do. I possibly could have a perception that I would be able to click better with friend from science and hence this outcome prevailed: Closer to science friends, not close to hall friends. I don't know and I think I may not find out anytime soon. To conclude, at the end of the 2 orientation camps, I know I have had enough fun. I got wet too many times during camp that I was so sick of getting wet during games. I know that was a sign but I'm lucky to have that experience. I really enjoyed myself over those few days and I know I need to, because the days ahead would not be as that fun when all the studying begins.