Will there be ice breakers?
One of the main goals of NSO is to get to know your peers. The most natural way for 18-year-olds to really get to know each other is through deep, honest conversation, usually led by an older and wiser student who tells himself that he remembers what it was like to be in your position, but really has blacked out all memory of that difficult part of his life...so yes, there will be meaningless ice breakers.
How can I seem the most interesting to my new peers?
Please keep in mind that here at Penn, we like to keep things interesting. While it might help to have answers to “two truths and a lie” memorized, expect more creative prompts, such as “two truths and several lies used to mislead your classmates,” and “What is your deepest, darkest, most shameful secret that you’d never tell anyone but must tell this circle of strangers?”
Should I panic if I didn’t read the book for Penn Reading Project?
Yes. While in the past you might have seemed totally cool for pretending not to have time for something like this, here your overachieving peers will laugh with genuine confusion when you tell them you’re not prepared for the mandatory conversation on the book. Extensive outlines on the themes of the book are not mandatory, though highly encouraged.
Can I bring my parents to the events?
To help students better acclimate to college life, many of the events at NSO are for students only. The Welcome BBQs and dessert receptions are simply not suitable for parents. However, parents are strongly encouraged to look through the fliers slid underneath the doors of their children’s dorms, and to accompany their children to these events, for they are the most suited towards parents.
I’ve noticed a lot of social media posts of freshman sitting on their dorm beds. Is this something I should be posting too?
This is probably a good idea in order to fit in and complete the facade of perfection we have all yet to shake. So yes.
What should I bring to NSO?
Non–white sneakers, enough enthusiasm to get you to the first darty of each day, and water to stay hydrated. Optional: your Penn Reading Project book, to use as shelter from the inevitable darty rain.
I thought I knew where I was going but now I'm turned around. Where am i?
You're on Locust. Phi Delt is that way.
Whenever I ask upperclassmen about NSO, they just say “NSO is the best week of your life.” Should I be repeating this even if I haven’t actually experienced NSO yet?
You are highly encouraged to repeat this exact sentence, or any variation on it, whether or not you believe it, whenever it seems fit, for the rest of your life.
