By Allison Strickland
Real World: U of L
“Real World: University of Louisville” is a new program in freshman orientation that includes skits about the various problems and situations students may encounter in their college years, such as study habits, getting along with a roommate, and alcohol.
The skits are performed by the Student Orientation Staff, or SOSers, in Strickler 101 throughout summer orientation. By introducing these situations to incoming freshmen, the staff is hoping that this new awareness will help them to make sensible decisions rather than acting rashly.
Accounting major Ryan McKinley said, “We’re trying to introduce ideas and possibilities. Some are extremes. We want them to expect the worst when they get here, show them ways to use resources on campus.”
Eleven skits were performed, each touching on a different subject. The first talked about getting in touch with professors.
Another skit, concerning time management, involved a girl who avoided her homework. Eventually, as all of her assignments piled up, she became overwhelmed. In the end, she had to take control and finish them.
One skit dealt with roommates who did not get along. The main purpose of this skit was to show that the campus counseling center is available to anyone who needs help.
But how effective are the skits? Many of the staff were worried about how seriously the incoming freshmen would take the skits.
Tiffany Meaux, a communications major, is an SOSer involved in the skits. She said that the skits were “very effective in demonstrating real life situations that college students face.”
Freshman psychology major Sarah Calhoun said, “Whenever I thought about going to college, I never worried about those kinds of things. I worried about academics.
This is reality hitting me.”
Renecia Griffie, an undecided freshman, felt the same way. She said the skits were “real honest and true.”
“The skits are a really good thing because they learn what college is going to be like,” said Jill Sullivan, a sophomore theatre arts major. “It’s good because it shows them what they might have to deal with and how to deal with it.”
Marketing major Sarah Daniel said that the skits “create good discussion. They get the incoming freshmen aware. I wish they could be taken a little more seriously.”
