Hello.....What?

Moving into any new community can be difficult. Especially moving onto a college campus that is still in session, like it is here at Davis. Even so, there are typically some aspects that one can use to start getting to know others such as keeping an open door when at home in the residence hall, and saying "hello" to those on the walking paths or at events.

Unfortunately, this has been somewhat hard to do, and I know that I have not been here too long, and would like to see how this changes over time. I have kept my door open, but with apartment style rooms, students do not have to come out often to accomplish their needs, and can stay in the rooms. I have had two wonderful student neighbors who stopped by on my first day when I moved in, but there has not been much outside of this.

In addition, students here are EXTREMELY focused, more than I have seen elsewhere. They are here to accomplish their goals, and will relax a little more on the weekends. Typically this is good, but I wonder if students feel isolated at times. It takes a more intentional effort in the work of the professionals to reach out and get to know the students around campus.  Moreover, the bikes do not seem to help. The students are zipping from place to place, rarely in packs, and breeze by each other. I have of course been saying "Howdy" to students I pass on the bike roads who are walking or riding the opposite direction, but most of the time their reactions are not verbal. The students tend to have a look of bewilderment, and the thought of 'are you talking to me?'

I know that with this being my 5th day on campus, my 3rd day working that some of this may be partially due to my transition. However, it is essential that I notice my assumptions, and then over the summer continue to analyze them by working to confirm or disprove them.