Every freshman struggles to find their place. With so many differentiating hobbies and interests, how do you find your people? At Mississippi State University, multiple organizations host “Dawg Days,” two weeks of student activities and games before classes start.
Across campus, activities are put on for students, giving them the chance to make friends and connections before the hectic school year starts. With so much happening, students are able to pick and choose events that pique their interest. There are things from painting and putt-putt to candle making. While attending the events, conversations strike up, often ending with contact information being exchanged.
Having so many activities before school starts really benefits students. These events help relieve stress about upcoming classes for the semester and make it easier to build friendships ahead of time. This way, students already have a support system when classes start. Dawg Days gives opportunities to those who could not afford or did not want to join programs like the Panhellenic Council or New Maroon Camp.
Abigail Hoeniges, a junior international business major, talked about her experience attending Dawg Days.
“I enjoy getting to meet new people and I have a good time at the events I attend,” Hoeniges said.
Along with being free, the events also have varying times, locations and themes, making them open to everyone. With so many different events happening at different times, there is almost no excuse not to find something that fits your interests. These events create a space to relax and be yourself before the pressure of grades, due-dates and exams set in.
After Dawg Days is over, those friendships and connections are still valued and used in daily life.
Jude Sutherland, a forestry major, recalled their experience at last year’s Dawg Days.
“I went to a putt-putt golf event last year for Dawg Days and met some guys at that. We still talk and hang out often,” Sutherland said.
Hunter Waring, a sophomore fruit and vegetable horticulture major, used the Dawg Days event as a way to hangout with friends made from previous events.
“I was able to reconnect with people and see friends again, because in college you don’t always get the chance to take time off,” Waring said.
Students across campus have positive views towards Dawg Days. Many of them have made close friends through these events.
Rachel Hargrove, a senior English major, met multiple people during her experience attending Dawg Days.
“They really helped in freshman year. I made two of my closest friends through a movie night with the Dawg Days,” Hargrove said.
To me, Dawg Days is one of the most important programs our campus offers, for both new and returning students. Trying to find your group of a hundred thousand people on campus is difficult and overwhelming. The events that take place are not solely de-stressers from the upcoming year; they are opportunities to create meaningful bonds among your peers.
As great as Dawg Days is, I believe the campus does not advertise it well enough. Most students stumble into them by accident or hear from them by word of mouth. Few emails were sent out about it and it was not present in social media posts regarding campus activities. It is a missed opportunity for those that do not hear about it.
These beginning events kick off the year and they need more acknowledgement and recognition. During her interview, Hargrove discussed the lack of advertising the event received. If the university promoted it more openly, more students would attend.
Having visible promotion could go a long way in increasing the family atmosphere our campus is well known for.
Though Dawg Days is over itself, different organizations host year round events that can help connect students. The sense of belonging does not fade from our campus, it just shifts into new spaces and groups. That is what makes our campus culture so strong.
