Feeling a little out of place? First time at a large university? It’s no big deal. We all went through it when we came to NIU. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a new transfer student, a large university is a new and unfamiliar place for most.

Take heart though. Those students that helped move you in all day Wednesday have a lot more in store for you. The NIU residence hall coordinators and the NI Guides have been preparing numerous activities geared toward getting new students acquainted with each other and the campus.

New Student Welcome Days are already in full-swing. So if you’re sitting around with nothing to do, that’s your own fault. NIU residence halls are sponsoring daily events guaranteed to help you meet new people or at least get you something to eat.

New Student Welcome Days began Wednesday, Aug. 22 and run through Sunday, Aug. 26.

“Since food service does not begin in the residence halls until Aug. 27, most of the daily events will involve food.” said Matt Miller, student coordinator of New Student Welcome Days.

Hall coordinators and NI Guides will organize the events which include pizza parties, ice cream socials, and even an event called “Intro to Beer Nuggets 101”. If you don’t know what beer nuggets are, go to this one. They’ll very likely become your main staple during those long study hours.The “class” will be Friday in Gilbert Hall, time to be anounced.

One of the larger events will take place Friday at 9 p.m. when Lincoln and Douglas Halls co-sponsor a “Dock Dance” at Douglas Hall until midnight.

Besides food there will be plenty of games in which students can participate. The residence halls will hold scavenger hunts, volleyball tournaments, softball games and Douglas Hall will even hold a turkey bowling tournament on Sunday at 3 p.m.

All of these events are open to new students. If you see that another residence hall is holding something you’re interested in attending, go, it’s for everyone.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, you’ve already attended some of the Welcome Days activities and had a great time. If not, stop moping and get out there. This is the time to make new friends and get to know NIU, don’t waste the opportunity.