The cooler weather, the falling leaves and the switch from iced coffee to hot tea makes many people think of the fall season. But, for most college students, these seasonal qualities mean one very festive thing — Homecoming Week.
Although the student population has been back on campus for weeks now, the week-long celebration signifies the beginning of a new year and the return of what makes a university — its community members.
Homecoming Week carries different meaning for every college student. For some it is about attending every single event, and for others it is about simply spending time with friends.
No matter how one spends their week, there is something to be gained for everyone. There are many ways to make the most of Homecoming Week for each type of student.
Get involved
It might seem like every professor, every adviser and just about every organization on campus attempts to push for student involvement all year — and for good reason. Involvement is promoted constantly, but homecoming is the best time of the year to engage in what the university has to offer.
Involvement is almost always the backbone of any student’s college experience, and it is the foundation of any successful university community.
Engagement can be many things. Sometimes that means going to an event or two and sometimes that just means utilizing campus resources more than usual.
Meet alumni and community members
When Homecoming Week arrives, Moscow buzzes with community involvement and the return of past University of Idaho students. It is the perfect time to meet with people who were once in our shoes.
Making connections is a key aspect of college success. Between cramming onto the sidewalks downtown for the parade and tailgating with all kinds of Vandals before the football game, a student might learn something new from a completely new person.
Enjoy the nostalgia
Homecoming Week has been enjoyed by students for years. With each passing year, the student body changes but the activities often stay the same.
Tradition is one of the most important aspects of Homecoming Week. It gives new students a chance to engage in what others have before them, and it gives exiting students one last chance to remember some of their first college experiences.
Explore
For some students, getting off campus can be a challenge during this time of the year. Midterms are right around the corner and it can seem like every essay and project has finally piled up.
This is exactly why it is good to take some time to explore everything from the campus to the Moscow community.
There are countless activities happening all week — some homecoming related and some not. Students should take the time to seek out new places and spaces and create even more of a bond with their home away from home.
Give back
There are always opportunities to give back through the university and the community all year, but Homecoming Week more readily makes those options available.
Students and community members can give blood at the annual blood drive Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Food drive bags were dispersed throughout the community and will be picked up Thursday. Students can donate food items and donate all year at various Vandal Food Pantry stations on campus.
Start new traditions
Homecoming Week and tradition will always be synonymous. However, the way traditions begin are by starting new activities and events in the first place.
In my past three years at the university, my friends and I have created memories at each UI Homecoming event. But, some of our greatest memories were made during the unexpected parts of homecoming like getting involved, exploring a little further and fostering our own sense of what it really means to be a Vandal.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97