Ingrid Hijman, head of the Student Service Centre, last Friday on the first day of the AID. Behind her is a mentor group. Photo Herman Stöver Is the AID a big party for some but a disaster for the other? In all honesty, all the partying, the ‘mandatory socialising’, all those strangers around you and a new environment, isn’t that an absolute nightmare for insecure or introverted students?
We asked Ingrid Hijman, head of the Student Service Centre, to respond to the proposition, “The introduction is no place for introverted students”. The Service Centre supports students with all manner of issues and is WUR’s partner in organising the introduction days.
‘No place for introverts during the intro?’ Hijman laughs. ‘The introduction is precisely the place to be for introverted students. We probably wouldn’t need introduction days if we had only extroverts. Of course, the introduction days are extra tense for this group of students, but we leave no stone unturned to ensure that all students, regardless of how insecure they may be, feel right at home here. I believe the structure and uncluttered programme, which features the information market on the last day, helps us achieve this goal. Moreover, we give considerable thought to how the groups are made up.’
Hijman talks about the annual puzzle that culminates in forming the groups. ‘Particularly how the groups are formed can help students feel comfortable around each other. Each mentor group has at least one other student with the same programme. If a group has an international member, there will always be at least one other member from the same country. That way, there is always someone with whom you have things in common.’
Quiet students
Students who sign up for the Annual Introduction Days can indicate their preferences for specific groups. Hijman: ‘We have specific groups for neurodivergent students. That includes the quieter, more insecure students or students with anxiety issues. These groups are mentored by older students who have been specifically trained.’
Hijman clarifies that all mentors, two of whom accompany each group, receive short training sessions. ‘The training includes workshops, exercises and an escape room. They are asked to consider various situations, such as “What would you do if one of your charges is very drunk and someone tries to kiss her?” We teach the mentor moms and dads to keep an eye on their group and to reach out if they have concerns. We also teach them to intervene if they see a group member succumb to peer pressure and cross their own boundaries. There is a 24/7 hotline available to students during the AID, as well as a student doctor.’
Peer pressure
Hijman: ‘We teach mentors to intervene when needed. They must learn how to handle a diverse group. But letting go, drinking, and lack of sleep are also part of the experience. We don’t want it to become too meek. Transgressions that have occurred elsewhere have not been reported here, to the best of my knowledge.’
Why is that? Hijman: ‘That can be due to a variety of factors. I am proud of how we organise the introduction. Wageningen offers a warm and comprehensive welcome to many students, and we don’t have associations with extreme hazing. Something else that may contribute is the fact that our programmes attract people who want to improve the world and care about their environment. We are fortunate to have many people here who care about the world and those around them. Additionally, most students live in Idealis facilities, which is less lonely. You are part of a community.’
No, new students fare well in Wageningen, she says. ‘Especially if you are a person for whom this is a little difficult. What affects students here is mostly climate stress. These students aim to make the world a better place and feel the pressure to do so. If anything, that is what makes students depressed. I tell them: “You can’t solve the world’s issues by yourself. Make it smaller and consider what actions you can take within your small circle.”’
How do I make it through the intro? Tips:
Here are a few tips to make it through the introduction and have fun, especially for those who are a little apprehensive.
1. Prepare
For example, you can take a bike ride through the city, walk across the campus, look at the map, or write down which parts of the programme you may skip.
2. Face it, no matter how scary it may be
And realise you are not the only one who is scared.
3. Take breaks
An introduction week is a busy week with little sleep. But you need not join every activity. Know your boundaries, and feel free to say: I’ll sit this one out.
4. Raise the alarm on time
If you don’t feel well, don’t keep up appearances but confide in someone.
5. Enjoy and go with the flow
Accept that you are being drawn out of your comfort zone and that feeling uncomfortable is part of the deal.
This article was published in De Gelderlander/Lieke Mulder
I am a little offended in the choice of words in the question: “insecure, introverted students”. Introversion sometimes is mislabeled as insecurity. Although the question doesn’t clearly specify whether it refers to a subset of introverted students: those who are both insecure and introverted; I am under the impression that the word “insecure” in this context is used to label “introverted students”. After all, the AID can also be taxing for confident introverted students. That begs the question why the label “insecure” is being used in this context.
In her reply, Ingrid Hijman, gives a better, more nuanced description of activities for “quieter, more insecure students or students with anxiety issues”. She uses the word “or” to distinguish between the groups. To me that is a more respectful choice of words as it clarifies that “insecure” and “anxiety issues” are not used labels for introversion. After all, extroverts can also be insecure or have anxiety issues and find the AID taxing or challenging.
A small change to the wording of the question to “insecure or introverted students” in my eyes would have been more clear, more inclusive and more respectful.
Hi Lennart! Thanks for your feedback, fair point. We have changed the sentence.
Thank you Coretta. I appreciate your swift response.