There is this cultural custom in my college: When it is promotion period for student societies, the candidate committees will raise banners and shout slogans all over campus. They are literally omnipresent. Students dressed in funky clothes and accessories will parade around and yell in your ears, and when two student societies meet they will compete to see which one yells louder. The process lasts for two weeks until each and every one of these committee members lose their voice and exhaust themselves.
As a spectator, I dislike it. Every time I want to buy a muffin from the cafeteria there is bound to be a hoard of colorful people yelling unrecognizable slogans. I know Astronomy Club is fun, but I am quite sure star-gazing is not like being on steroids. Why the over-excitement? If I am interested in an activity, I will join in; if not, I do not see how screaming and spitting in my face would pique my interest.
Whenever someone ask 'Why do you want to join the student society committees?' It is always the same answer: To experience college life. Some people enjoy the feeling of achieving something in a team, and the good ole' sharing of sweat and tears; I am all for it. However is this parading and shouting really 'college life'? Or rather, is that really the college life you want? I asked some of these energetic members and turned out they are just doing this because the ex-committees tell them to. Some hopeful new committee do not see the meaning of such activities but since it is a tradition they are doing it.
Of course there will be college activity enthusiasts who enjoy every bit of this. Honestly, if that is what you truly like, it is within your rights just fine (Although it pisses me off, but hey pissing people off is part of the beauty of democracy and liberty). But how many actually enjoy doing the yelling parade? I did not conduct an in depth research but I do know quite a few who find it exhausting and unrewarding.
Of course there will be college activity enthusiasts who enjoy every bit of this. Honestly, if that is what you truly like, it is within your rights just fine (Although it pisses me off, but hey pissing people off is part of the beauty of democracy and liberty). But how many actually enjoy doing the yelling parade? I did not conduct an in depth research but I do know quite a few who find it exhausting and unrewarding.
And then there is this another tradition called Consultation. The candidate committees of all the societies will be confronted by ex-committees. Candidates would be challenged in every aspects: from their yearly planning to how well they remember the school policies. While the original purpose of this consultation meant well, it often turn into some ugly showdown and personal insults. Questions like 'Why is your year plan full of crap?' or 'Recite all of last year's slogans of the English Society' would pop up and this painful grill last for a ridiculous period of 18 hours.
I understand the importance of traditions. But, like showbiz, if the audience and the performers both loathe this show then why bother running it? Shouldn't an ideal college life be doing what you like? I am not condemning the concept of college life immersion, but I do urge my fellow freshmen to think again when some seniors tell you to go perform some shenanigan tasks. If you are doing it just because they tell you 'it is part of college life', think: is it part of your college life, or theirs? I know that in my case, I only take crap like that when I am paid.
