Finding your Place at BU

Kristin RaceLiterature and Society

Dr. Sherry10/03/11

Problem

• In order to succeed and enjoy your time at college you must have friends.

• Who will your friends be?

Background

• When you first go to college the first days can be scary.– A new environment– New classes– New clubs/organizations– Most importantly, new friends

Background

• You are faced with many decisions…

– What groups and organizations should I join?• Sororities/Fraternities• Sports• Clubs

– Will people on my floor become my good friends?

Method

• Took photos of dorm rooms

• Observed and took photos of a particular culture

• Interviewed people from different organizations

• Observed the dining hall

Findings• In the dorms you find people that have the

same interests as you and they may become good friends.

When it comes to people interests it can be as simple as their favorite color. People in these two rooms are great friends and you can tell they have some similarities when it comes to choosing the colors on their beds.

Findings• When you join an organization or group you

become involved in a whole new culture.• For example, a sorority

•I observed the sorority house of Alpha Sigma Alpha where 11 girls in this organization live. The girls told me that they spend a lot of their time here (even girls in ASA that did not live in the house). They are all great friends and the reason they joined a sorority was for friendship and being a part of something great.

Findings• I also interviewed people from different

organizations to see who their greatest friends were.– I observed that a lot of people are greatest friends

with the people in their organization. – In most cases people lived with others from their

certain club or sport. – They also usually spent most of their day with

them either at practice, a meeting, or just hanging out.

Findings• I then observed the dining hall, the Scranton

Commons. In most cases people eat with their greatest friends. – There were a lot big groups eating when I was

there. – Most of the tables were filled with a particular

club or organization like… • The football team • Sororities/Fraternities• CGA

Conclusion

• Based on my ethnographic data, I noticed that many people’s greatest friends are with people from their clubs and organizations. – They have a lot of things in common and spend a

lot of time together. • People also join organizations and clubs that

best fit their personalities and that is why they are such close friends.

Conclusion

• This shows me that your college experience has a lot to do with what you get involved with on campus.

• They say the people you meet in college are your friends for life and what better friends than people from clubs and organizations you are involved in.