Wellesley has a lot of traditions, and this page is my attempt to explain them from a student's point of view.
| Step Singing |
| Several times a year, students gather at the Chapel steps (facing the
Science Center) and sing Wellesley songs. The students are segregated by
class, with the Seniors on the highest level and First Years on the ground.
Davis Scholars form their own "class" for Step Singing. During Orientation,
First Years receive a Wellesley Songbook, which contains all the songs
necessary for Step Singing. Unfortunately, most of the songs do not have
memorable tunes, and very few people know them. Each of the upper classes
has a Songmistress, who theoretically leads her class in song. One song
which is well known is America the Beautiful, which was written
by a Wellesley alum and figures in many school ceremonies. Don't forget
to sing "...and crown thy good with SISTERhood...". Another important part
of Step Singing is the Class Cheer. Each class has a cheer which starts
like this: "1 9 9 8 Wellesley Rah! 1 9 9 8 Welllllesley!" and concludes
with a more or less witty rhyme.
Personal opinion: Step Singing is a fun tradition that you should participate in at least a few times before you graduate. Also, try not to lose your Songbook too quickly. It might have sentimental value later. |
| Flower Sunday |
| On a Sunday in September each year, a multi-faith, multi-cultural religious
service is held in Houghton Chapel. This is the Flower Sunday Service,
and the day it is held on is called Flower Sunday. The service is only
a small part of the tradition, however. Flower Sunday is really a bonding
time for Big and Little Sisters, who buy each other flowers and attend
the service and a preceeding brunch together.
Personal Opinion: Spending time with your Big or Little Sister (or both) is a great thing to do, and getting flowers is always fun, but the chairs in the Chapel are the least comfortable chairs I have ever experienced, and the service tends to run long. |
| Lake Day |
| One day each fall, the College Government declares that it is Lake
Day, and that everybody should go outside and play. In the good old days,
it was expected that most students (and some professors) would skip their
classes and play on Severance Green for most of the day. Now it is expected
that students will play on the Green when they aren't supposed to be in
class. On Lake Day, the Green has loud music, food, vendors, and lots of
other fun stuff.
Personal Opinion: Lake Day was more fun when I was taking 100-level instead of 300-level classes (and the administration was slightly less stinky about it), but it's still a good chance to relax and play outside with friends. |
| Convocation |
| A ceremony held in Alumnae Hall during the first week of classes in
the fall to welcome the new academic year. Seniors wear their graduation
robes for the first time, and for about half an hour people actually look
forward to the academic rigor to come.
Personal Opinion: I'm not much of a fan of ceremonies, and haven't attended Convocation since my first year, but I'll definitely be there now that I'm a senior <--that was a big fat lie - i skipped it last year. |
| Tower Court Mixer |
| a.k.a. the Meat Market, the Tower Court Mixer is held in Alumnae Hall
the night before classes start each fall. More frat boys than you have
ever imagined (as well as boys from Harvard, Babson, BU, BC, etc), will
be packed into the Ballroom, which will feel like a sauna after the first
half hour. Many of the frat boys are either nervous freshman pledges or
upperclassmen trying to get dates for formals. There is no alcohol at the
Mixer, although there are plenty of pre-Mixer parties. The low-down is
that everybody know exactly what the Mixer is, and makes fun of it, but
almost everyone goes.
Personal Opinion: Don't miss it your first year, at least. It's a unique and special Wellesley experience. After your first year, it's a good chance to have fun with your friends, and not worry too much about who tries to pick you up and who doesn't. |
| Hoop Rolling |
| One of Wellesley's most unusual traditions, Hoop Rolling involves all
of the Seniors rolling wooden hoops from ???? down to the lake ???? on
a Saturday morning at the very end of the spring semester. Long ago, people
said that the winner of Hoop Rolling would be the first of her class to
get married. In these enlightened days, the belief is that the winner will
be the first to become CEO of a company. The winner also gets dunked in
the lake. Competition is strong, and the Little Sisters of many Seniors
get up very early the morning of Hoop Rolling to hold a good starting position
for their Big Sister.
Personal Opinion: It's not necessary for Little Sisters to get up at 5am to hold a place in line for their Big Sister, since only the first few Seniors in line have a chance of winning anyway. Actually, I don't see why it's necessary to have Hoop Rolling so early in the morning. All the same, I'm going to be there a-rolling my hoop. <--- another big fat lie - not only didn't i roll, i didn't even have a hoop |
