William & Mary Psychology Major

Awkward, nerdy, where fun comes to die, very preppy, and everyone lives in Swem the library

There are definetly people who do fit this stereotype, yet I would say a vast majority of people are simply smart, but do more on the weekends than simply study. People are also extremely involved on campus, often doing a variety of extracurriculars. Also, I haven't even been in Swem this semester.

Freshman seminars are fantastic. They are a really good way to not only get better at writing, but take a wonderful and small class. I got to know my professor really well, and learn about the French Revolution in a very different way (we spent a couple classes just watching movies). If you really want to get a lot out of a class, its great to go to office hours and talk with your professor. They love when students come by and ask questions. Class participation is not very strong, and it can be hard for teachers to facilitate a dialogue in class. In my experience, there's not much competition, but everyone wants to do well and expects to (even if they don't do the work). The GERs (general ed requirements) aren't too bad, although they can be somewhat confusing on what counts and what doesn't in fulfilling them. William and Mary as a liberal arts college is more focused on learning for its own sake, although there are tools such as the career center which help you find internships and jobs. Often, getting to know professors in your department is a good way to help build contacts in your field of study and even get connections for future jobs.

Diversity is not big on campus, although we are getting more and more diverse. As a jewish student on campus, it has been a really good experience. There is a lot of tolerance I think, but also a chance to teach others about my religion, and explain the different customs and such.

Even though we are a state school, I have gotten a chance to meet people from all over the United States and the world from places like California, Saudi Arabia and China. I have met a lot of people who are openly gay, black, white, asian, hispanic. While there may not be tons of people who fit in these groups, they are definetly present on campus.

People wear a variety of stuff, but mainly comfortable but nice looking clothes. People are generally preppy but nobody really cares how you dress. People tend to self segregate, but if you join multicultural groups especially you get to meet people from other backgrounds as well. The more active you are on campus with different activities, generally the more people you will meet.

As a state school we tend to have people with less money that at the private schools. I know people who are here instate and with financial aid. To be honest though, it doesn't come up that often. The nice thing about being here is that so much happens on campus and doesn't cost much that money is less of an issue than if we were in a city where it costs more to go out.

Students are politically aware, but not very active. Academics and extracurriculars mainly come first. People are pretty central on the spectrum, but left and right are both present on campus. Future jobs and salaries has never been in a conversation I've had here.

Alpha Phi Omega, the community service fraternity is the largest organization on campus, and fraternities and sororities are also very popular. People tend to go out and see acapella concerts, theater productions. Sports events are that popular. it varies with guest speakers, some are far more popular than others. I met my closest friends through my freshman hall and through the organizations I am a part of. I have also made some good friends through my freshman seminar as well.

I am never awake at 2 am, but when I am up late, I am either doing homework, or hanging out with friends talking watching a movie or something like that.

We have a lot of traditions: Convocation, Yule Log, Blowout, King and Queen Ball, Homecoming. It's really amazing to have such a long history.

Dating is pretty common, generally you become friends and then date. There aren't many places to go around here for dating, but you can go to the movies, or out to eat, and if your creative you can do other things as well.

There are parties every weekend. Some people go all out every weekend, some never go out at all. If you want to party, there's always something going on at the frats.

Fraternities and sororites do have a large role on campus. about 30% of people go greek.Frats host a lot of parties, but greek life is a great way to meet people as well. While active, the greek community isn't divided from everybody else.

This past weekend, I had revelation for my sorority on Friday. Afterwards went out for dinner and ice cream. Watched a musician at Aroma's a local coffeeshop. Relaxed in the morning on saturday, ultimate frisbee philanthropy tournament in the afternoon. Did homework and watched a movie. Sunday morning homework, date party in the afternoon, and then a french film and dinner in the evening

William and Mary is definetly what you make it. There is so much to do, you just have to be open and willing to put in the effort. If you do, you get so much more out of it than you can imagine.

also, community service is a really big deal. We have a lot of different tutoring programs, relay for life, a local version of habitat for humanity, special olympics swimming. Students really do want to give back