The five people you meet at Laurier

Although the transition from high school to university seems overwhelming, at least in the academic and sovereign sense, it is without question that much of our first year of university is defined by the people we meet.

These are the people that, when reflecting over our freshmen experience, have somehow left a footprint in our lives. Whether good things or bad, these people have impacted us; taught us lessons about the world and ourselves. Most importantly, the encounters we have had with these people have enhanced our lives to some degree and our understanding about how truly multifaceted life can be.

Below are the common archetypes of students that each freshman will stumble upon at least once during their years at Laurier and the consequences they bear.

The kid who always has a story

Characterized by their ability to always have a catch phrase, preferably from myriad sitcoms, the kid who always has a story always has something to say. More often heard than seen, this student is always recollecting stories of the past to others, for the most part, in a convivial attitude. However, this friendly attitude and the overly enthusiastic story-telling sagas get mistaken for arrogance and this is the tragic flaw of the kid who always has a story.

Catherine Iliasse, a third-year psychology major at Wilfrid Laurier University recalled, “Every Monday in afternoon lecture, this boy who always sat behind me always talked about the things that happened over the weekend…every little detail, and so loud.”

Some can assert that upon meeting the kid who always has a story it can become a hit or miss situation: you either love hearing the stories and laugh until you have cramps or you find their story-telling abilities as attention-seeking.

Outside of being overly loud and boisterous in lecture, you will always find a crowd of people around them at parties. Red cup in hand high in the air, this conversationalist knows how to maintain an audience and keep them entertained.

Unfortunately, such verbal liberation and pseudo-intellectual comments can get them in some hot water. “After a while it gets old and sometimes offensive. They don’t know where the boundary between acceptable and unacceptable is, especially when first meeting people,” said Kevin Doles, a recent graduate of Laurier.

If there is anything to learn from the kid who always has a story, it’s that you are only as good as the stories you tell.

The binge drinking “A” student

First impression: a misfit who does not value their education and thinks that university is a four-year vacation. Realization: this student is an exemplar. The binge drinking “A” student, in the night time, appears as a hot mess. In contrast, during the day, they are so well-put together; it leaves you wondering if it’s the same person who tried turning your water into wine the night before.

They are the first to know about the best events happening within the student body and the last to refuse a celebration, trying to understand their lifestyle is like trying to solve a puzzle that doesn’t have all its pieces in the box.

“I met this one person during my first year and it was like they were fluent in two languages: common English and slurred [speech]. I was convinced they were going to flunk out after first semester,” remembered Alexandra Chin, a second-year BBA student.

The preconceived notion of this student is ironically what gives them a distinctive edge: they are at the top of their class academically. Their “work hard, play hard” mentality is always brought to fruition and they are proof, in the flesh, that maintaining a balance in university is possible—give or take a few bottles of Prince Igor.

The misunderstood bad boy

An enigma to the fullest, like a Colin Farrell meets Chuck Bass, their name itself is litigious. They have an acquired taste for rebellion, claiming that “in life, you can do whatever you want in any situation—we create our own rules.”

Their controversial nature often intimidates other males and cautiously draws females towards them. Walking with validation wherever they go, trouble often ensues and the misunderstood bad boy is the first person who shoulders the blame. In retrospect, it becomes clear that the only reason he is casted as the black sheep is because of his outspoken nature and audacity.

“I used to assume that he was just a selfish jerk who didn’t respect anyone — but it wasn’t until I heard from his friends about his childhood that everything made sense and my whole attitude and treatment towards him took a 180,” said Monica Pitchelli, a second-year student who once fell victim to the misunderstood bad boy. “I think what they mostly need is just a constant reminder that they’re acknowledged and appreciated,” she added.

Their relentless pursue to invariably test the limits of others with a disinterest in the consequences sets forth a self-destructive path. Surprisingly, hugs and hobbies are a great antidote for someone of this nature, particularly since they have “bigger problems than death” to deal with.

The virgin

All about the teasing and none about the pleasing would be an understatement when referring to the virgin. Male or female, they know how to get what they want without making any compromises for anybody.

Very flirty in nature and ironic in behaviour, they are well-educated in the process of getting attention. Lacking verbal inhibition and being a little more mysterious than others is what gives them their charismatic attitude. But, because not everything in life is about rainbows and high-fives, the virgin is willing to overcome the odds in order to get even.

“I always thought she was all ’Sunday School’ and fulfilled the golden rule thing, but she definitely had an ugly competitive side,” said Steve Kern, a second-year science student, of his experience dating a virgin. The trick is to be prudent with them since they have tricks up their sleeves won’t result in a satisfying happy ending.

Honourary hawk

Not officially enrolled at Wilfrid Laurier, the honourary hawk always makes a debut. They visit often and make each visit more memorable than the last. Never shy to make new friends, the honourary hawk can walk into any situation and greet each person inside by their first name without hesitation and “rock out with their hawk out” harder than anyone else in the room.

“I used to get homesick and asked my friend to come visit so that I would feel a bit more at home, after a few times of visiting, my friend became a household name everywhere we went….people even had nicknames!” said Kristi Tench, a second-year student.

The honourary hawk brings a greater sense of school pride to the student body, potentially loving Laurier more than the students themselves.