Saying “this is so cringe” while smiling the whole time.
SAYING “THIS IS SO CRINGE” WHILE SMILING THE WHOLE TIME.
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Remember those first few weeks? The dizzying blur of orientation, a whirlwind of new faces, forced introductions, and traditions that felt, well, a little… theatrical. We stood in awkward circles, learning cheers that felt utterly ridiculous, or participated in bizarre team-building exercises designed to break the ice but mostly just broke our spirits (momentarily). You found yourself muttering “this is so cringe” under your breath, maybe even rolling your eyes, yet somehow, a genuine, if slightly bewildered, smile was plastered on your face.
That internal conflict was universal. We were all there, the bright-eyed, ambitious, slightly terrified incoming students, navigating a new world where quirky rituals were the norm. Whether it was the slightly off-key alma mater singalongs, the themed dances where everyone felt equally uncomfortable, or the mandatory campus tours that felt less about architecture and more about enduring the relentless optimism of your tour guide, we lived through it.
And secretly, deep down, we cherished it. That shared moment of collective embarrassment, of participating in something so fundamentally dorky, was precisely what bonded us. It stripped away the carefully constructed facades, showing us that even at institutions renowned for their serious intellect, there was room for profound silliness. For alumni, these are not just memories; they are the bedrock of our shared narrative, proof that even the most elite experiences begin with a healthy dose of unadulterated, endearing cringe. Current students, you are living this paradoxical magic right now, embracing the awkward, and forging connections that will last a lifetime.
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