Make friends, then argue

At one point in our college careers we were all freshmen. We didn't know anyone, so we clung to the people nearest to us: our dorm mates. As time passed on, we came to the realization that a basis for a friendship should be more than just convenient geography.

From that point, we all branched out to other arenas, looking for other students that shared the same interests. For myself, I found that the best way to meet other students is to join student groups. Not only do these groups allow Hopkins students to bond, but they also afford the opportunity to make a difference.

Among the many groups available to students are religious organizations. At Hopkins, the Interfaith Center creates an atmosphere of unity between groups that seem to be at each other's throats at other colleges. Hopkins is probably one of the few schools in the nation where students involved in the Jewish Student Association and Muslim Students Association socialize regularly and attend each other's events. If you have a religion, there is a group that you can join.

In addition to religious organizations, campus cultural groups organize events all the time. As an added bonus, they occasionally offer free food.

Many Hopkinites were involved in music in high school. Some of us were in the band, others sang in the choir. At Hopkins, you can fulfill your musical craving by either taking lessons at Peabody or joining one of a handful of groups on campus.

For those that are into classical music, the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra or the JHU Band would be a good bet. For those that can sing, there are several a capella groups on campus. So many groups, so little space, here's a few: Octopodes, a coed group that wears all blue; All-Nighters, an all male group that wears vests; Sirens, an all female group that wears black; Mental Notes, a funny coed group that wears funny clothes. OK, you've caught on.

We all have personal politics and views. If you're interested in politics, Hopkins has an abundance of groups to fulfill your political desires. Because many students tend to be very focused on their work, Hopkins doesn't have many large-scale political events, but it's easy to join any group.

The College Republicans come out in force, sponsoring many events on campus and boasting a very active membership. The College Democrats are also prominent. Other groups focus on specialized interests, such as the ACLU, and for those who like to argue, there's always the Debate Team.

In addition to the varsity sports, there also are a fair number of club sports, some with a fanatical following. Rugby and Ultimate Frisbee are two sports that come to mind.

These are just a sampling of the many student groups on campus that one can join. Remember, if you have an interest, and a group doesn't exist. Just start one.