Advice From Current Febs

Updated fall 2007!

Beginning your college career in February is an unusual experience that can bring with it many questions and concerns. We asked last year's new Febs to share some of their advice with you on two questions; see their answers below.

1. Will I have a "normal" college experience like all of my friends who are beginning college in September are having?
2. What do people do during their Feb semesters? Do I need to go save the world?
3. What are the different housing options I might be assigned to when I arrive at Middlebury, and when will I hear about mine? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
4. How does the rest of the campus react to the arrival of new Febs each winter?
5. How easy is it to connect with first-year students who arrived in September?

6. What are some of the benefits of being a Feb?
7. What are some of the drawbacks?
8. Please share any additional advice you think would be helpful.
9. Want to ask another question of the most recent class of Febs?

 

1:

Will I have a "normal" college experience like all of my friends who are beginning college in September are having?

A:

No, you won’t. You will have the benefit of a full semester in the real world first. You can literally do whatever you want with your time off: go abroad, volunteer, take a road trip, work, do an internship, or even sit in front of your TV for 5 months. The point is that when you get to college a) you are SO happy to finally be there and b) you have hopefully taken the opportunity to explore something you are interested in, which will impact the kind of things you end up studying. Once you actually get to Middlebury you will be like every other college student, except you have lived in the “real world” for a while, which is %100 to your advantage. Thea Morrison(almorris@middlebury.edu)

Before I arrived at Middlebury, I did not think that I would have a "normal" college experience, and that belief still remains true; however, in a different way. My experience was different in that I entered university with 100 other students who I became very close with. The Feb class bonds as a very tight-knit unit. Samantha Kaminsky (skaminsk@middlebury.edu)

Yes and no. Your introduction to college will be way different. Instead of lumping a large number of students together who don't know each other (like a normal September orientation) the Feb orientation is much smaller and intimate. As a result, you will know students who live all of campus, rather than just in your dorm or on your hall. So in that sense the orientation is much different. But when all the students show up in mid-February, it pretty much becomes a "normal" college experience (whatever that is). Aaron Krivitzky (akrivitz@middlebury.edu)

Once you arrive, everything will be beautiful.   You'll feel off kilter if you see your friends from high school at a New Year's party because they've already finished a semester of college, but don't worry.  Once you show up in February you'll get the same experience your friends had in the fall, but they can't turn back the clock and do what you might do in your time off. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

No, your college experience will not be normal. You will be living most likely in an upperclassman dorm, and you will have an extremely tight-knit group of friends (your Feb class), rather than a huge freshman class. It will also feel a bit weird when you are first starting to figure everything out, because it will feel as though the rest of the school already knows exactly what they are doing, and you don't. However, it's GOOD not to be normal! You will settle in, although it may take longer than you might expect. You will make fantastic friends, although that too may take longer. You will have the opportunity to have an amazing, rewarding and enriching semester before arriving at Middlebury. You might never live in an all-freshman hall, but that's okay too. It is a very different experience being a Feb, but it's something that if you choose to do it, you probably won't regret it. Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

Your college experience will not be the same as that of all of your friends starting college in September, it will be better. Starting college half way through the year may seem rather intimidating, but there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The staff and entire student body do an amazing job of making you feel as welcomed as possible. And remember, you are not alone. You will be arriving with over a hundred other students with the same fears and concerns as you.  Haik Kavookjian (hkavookj@middlebury.edu)

Everyone's college experience is different whether you come in September or February. Be more concerned about having a wonderful and exciting beginning to college and less about having a "normal" experience. Rayna Rogowsky (rrogowsk@middlebury.edu)

Being a Feb is certainly a little different from the "normal" college experience that most of your friends will be taking part in. There's no 500-person orientation or any of that. Instead, when you start at Midd in February, you get an orientation with the other 100 or so Febs and Orientation leaders who are sophomore Febs themselves. While nothing about the Feb experience is "normal" there's no reason it should hold you back from a "normal" college experience. We're really just like everyone else once we get here, and you are just as much of a member of the community as anyone else. Sam Libby (slibby@middlebury.edu)

Definitely. It's really amazing how quickly you settle into life at Midd. I've been here for less than 3 months, and it honestly feels like I've been here for the entire year. Once you and everyone else gets over the initial excitement of having new Febs on Campus, you'll start to get a feel for your "normal" college experience. Then again, no Midd experience is truly a normal one! Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

I would have to say no. Nothing about being admitted in February is "normal." Certainly not explaining your situation to laymen . In this respect, I recommend telling the truth to those close enough to know, offering an obscure sickness (scurvy) as an alibi to semi-close relatives or if you're tired/don't feel like explaining, having a backup lie to ballast your suspicious illness that kills any further inquiry (boring: citrus allergy/ fanciful: pirating expedition--mutiny, don't want to talk about it).

That said, I would be surprised if new Middlebury admits were comforted by the idea of having a normal experience. That's neither what I wanted, expected, nor got. My favorite professor, Kit Wilson, taught a seminar to twelve Febs and thought they were more interesting than any class he'd taught in his many years at the college. He toyed with the idea of a college only admitting after a gap semester. There is definitely an intangible quality to February admits that makes his suggestion hard to knock. Jeff Garofano jgarofan@middlebury.edu

It will be similar but better than coming in September. You’ll go through all the same stuff, but you are far less likely to get lost. You’ll have the added advantage of having 100 kids that you already know in all parts of the campus. You’ll get to skip the process that your friends go through of having to branch out of their dorm hall and find people. Plus you get to come in fresh and energized when September students are starting to feel worn out. Your Freshman experience is short and sweet, not a marathon. William Bellaimey wbellaim@middlebury.edu

Yup, you will just begin in February instead of in September! It is so nice to have that break between high school and college: it’s the perfect amount of time because you get a break, but you won’t get too used to not doing any homework. Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

"Normal"? No. Unique and rewarding? Yes. You'll experience all the usual adjustment issues etc. as your friends who start in September, only you'll experience them in February. But, you will also be arriving in February with a perhaps a different outlook on your education, life, etc. than you would have had you begun in September with 500 other students. It is also a unique experience to begin with a smaller group, rather than a larger group, in that you form really a sort of family. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

2:

What do people do during their Feb semesters? Do I need to go save the world?

A:

People do everything during their Febmesters. Saving the world is optional! I, as well as many of my friends, simply stayed home and got a job. The important thing to remember is that you may never have a chunk of time like this to do whatever you want again in your life. You are obligation free for 5 months. Do something you have always wanted to do but have just never had the time to. Remember that there are TONS of ways to do what you want. There are thousands of programs offered all over the world that you are eligible for. Said programs are also not as hard to afford as you might think. Thea Morrison (almorris@middlebury.edu)

There are many opportunities for Middlebury Feb students. You can help out at a local community center, study abroad, travel, teach impoverished students in third world countries, . The possibilities are endless. You do not need to save the world. You can work and save money for school, or even volunteer or intern. Think of this semester as one unique adventure that you will have to be proud of once you reach Middlebury. Samantha Kaiminsky (skaminsk@middlebury.edu)

Some students travel. Some work. Some go and play in the woods. Your Feb semester is an opportunity for you to explore some particular aspect of yourself. Many choose to do service projects both abroad and locally, which is awesome, but not necessary. Think of your Feb semester as an opportunity to take a risk, do something you've always been curious about but never had the time or the resources. Aaron Krivitzky (akrivitz@middlebury.edu)

You don't need to go save the world.  You can if you want to, but more realistically you can travel, study somewhere, get a job, or just try something completely new.  A lot of people who are interested in the outdoors or have never camped before try NOLS or Outward Bound trips, others travel all over, and some stay at home and get a job or experiment with hibernation.  There is no wrong way to be a Feb. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

By all means, go save the world. I think you were chosen to be a Feb because Midd thinks you can go save the world. But if you don't want to, it's all good. Any experience you have will be valuable when you get to Middlebury. In fact, it becomes one of the greatest conversation starters during Feb Orientation. I would encourage you to spend the time doing something you are incredibly passionate about. If you are passionate about the outdoors, take a NOLS course. If you enjoy math, get an internship doing research at your local university. If you are passionate about world culture, go travel. Spend some considerable time thinking about what you want to do and considering various options. You'll thank yourself for putting real thought into this. Use your time wisely because it is such an opportunity to do something you might never do otherwise. Ryan Kellett (rkellett@middlebury.edu)

No you don't have to save the world! People travel, study in far-off countries, work at the local grocery store or coffee shop, or learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby. Do anything that interests you! Travel! You might not get another opportunity to do so like this, and it will be really enriching. Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

The first question people will ask you when you tell them you are a Feb is "what did you do on your Feb semester?" People often jokingly give responses such as, "Oh, I cured cancer," or "I taught underprivileged Peruvian children how to read." While many Febs do some pretty extraordinary things on their semester off, you should do something that you want to do. Although it would be nice to give your parents a heads up as to your ideas, don't let them make the decision for you. You have almost six months to travel, take classes, work or even just spend time at home. Do something that will make YOU happy. Haik Kavookjian (hkavookj@middlebury.edu)

Do whatever compels you. Saving the world is always an option, but it's not necessary! Rayna Rogowsky (rrogowsk@middlebury.edu)

There are many different options for your Feb semester. My advice would be to do something you never thought you would. It could be saving elephants in Africa or working at a local Korean restaurant. Whatever it is, make sure it's something you want to do. Jennifer Holcomb (jholcomb@middlebury.edu)

Not everyone has to go out traveling, gallivanting around the world curing a number of dangerous diseases, although it might feel like that when you hear what everyone is doing. I worked as a carpenter, building houses, and stayed at home with my parents, which is actually similar to what a lot of people did. During your "Febmester," it's all about experience. Coming to school with a wider perspective, having experienced something after high school and before college, is a definite advantage, in my opinion. Sam Libby (slibby@middlebury.edu)

Absolutely not! Part of what's great about your Feb semester is that you don't need to do anything—you can do whatever will make you the happiest. I have friends who worked at CVS and others who traveled the world, but it really doesn't matter—everyone has their stories to tell. Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

You don't need to go save the world. I opted for a bit of a more traditional semester: I studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I did a bit of everything, traveled, studied, volunteered. But I also heard of people who had just as rewarding experiences also living in the "real world" and working for their semester off. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

For my “febmester” I studied Arabic in Cairo, Egypt for three and a half months and traveled around Egypt and Jordan. But I had Feb friends who studied like me, as well as traveled, volunteered, worked, and even just enjoyed spending time at home with their families for the semester. Spend the time to do something you have wanted to do but have not gotten the chance to do before, like taking a photography course or biking across the country, or (more practically) making money to pay for this fifty-grand-a-year college! Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

People do lots of different things during their Feb semesters. You don’t necessarily need to go save the world, although some make an effort to. Many people work, travel, study abroad or study at another college/university in the US. I spent my Feb semester in Grenoble, France living with a host family and studying at the University of Grenoble. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I encourage all who are able to spend some time abroad during the precious time off you are given. Carolyn Birsky cbirsky@middlebury.edu

People do all kinds of things. While you’ll meet some kids who tell you “I went to this isolated village in Swaziland, where I trained probioscis monkeys to perform post-modern jazz” there are also plenty of kids who spend their time working or training for a sport they love. Even if you don’t spend your time fighting poverty or destroying nuclear waste with your bare hands, try to find time for adventure. This is your chance to break out of the academic routine that earned you admission to Middlebury. Think outside the box. William Bellaimey wbellaim@middlebury.edu

People did all sorts of things on the spectrum of modest and unpretentious to immodest and unbelievable, from punching a clock to backpacking Vietnam. I'd say make the most out of your means. I scanned groceries at age 15 and have worked ever since--nothing wrong with that path. For my Febmester, I had the fortunate opportunity (nepotism) to do a hybrid of the two extremes through a paid internship at an environmental nonprofit in Washington D.C. If you need to work, strive for a paid internship. If you need to work near home, apply at a museum, bike shop, anything out of the ordinary that could present a learning opportunity. I offer the bike shop because that was one of my two randomly chosen jobs for the summer after my first semester, one I asked about on a whim. I never was and still am not a very serious bike rider, but talking to triathlon athletes, country-crossers, and anyone passionate about places, trips, and their preferred method of getting there has interested me on the most dogged of summer days. If you have the opportunity to travel the world, seize it by all means. It seemed that few of my fellow Febs got the memo about not needing to save the world. There were times when I felt I would have had to steathily board Japanese fishing vessels and wrangle dolphins out of tuna nets to impress my "peers," and I'm glad to have met such exceptional people. But, like I said, there are invaluable work habits and modesty lessons to be gained from the humdrum scanning of groceries and other menial labors. If you're at a grocery store, read every label you can. Learn about the local sourcing farms. Ask people what they're cooking and extract family recipes from them. Savor chestnuts of wisdom unlikely to be known by another Feb. Most of them don't know what an Ugli fruit is, much less that its produce code is 4459. Jeff Garofano jgarofan@middlebury.edu

3:

What are the different housing options I might be assigned to when I arrive at Middlebury, and when will I hear about mine? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

A:

Most Febs move in to the rooms that senior Febs or juniors who went abroad just moved out of. There are also a few people who move in with regular freshman. Getting upperclassman housing as a freshman is definitely a bonus. I had a huge single in a senior dorm. The only downside to this is that your friends end up living all over the place, instead of in the designated freshman dorms. If you do live in a freshman dorm you end up meeting a lot more September freshman right away, which is also great. Thea Morrison (almorris@middlebury.edu)

Each student is placed into one of the five residential Commons: Atwater, Brainerd, Cook, Ross, and Wonnacott. Incoming Febs can either be housed with September first year, other Febs, or in singles. Whether one is housed with other Middlebury freshmen, or on a hall with upperclassmen, each housing style has its advantages and disadvantages. Either way, housing for Febs allows students to interact with more Midd kids and get more out of their Middlebury experience. Samantha Kaminsky (skaminsk@middlebury.edu)

Feb housing is a crapshoot. Some Febs get REALLY nice upperclassmen dorms (from students who have gone abroad or moved.) And the rest are divided in the Commons system evenly in typical doubles and freshman dorms. Aaron Krivitzky (akrivitz@middlebury.edu)

You can end up anywhere.  A lot of Febs get placed in regular freshman buildings like Battell or Stewart, while plenty of others get dotted around campus in upperclassmen housing.  Don't worry either way - the people in freshman halls complain that their rooms are small, and those in upperclassmen dorms have giant rooms but complain they don't live with too many people their own age.  Neither complaint matters too much, since everyone you meet will be eager and willing to travel around campus to see friends. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

You won't hear about the specifics of this one until January so just relax and don't worry about it for now. That said, Febs either get placed in all-freshmen housing alongside September admits entering their second semester or they get placed into upperclassmen housing around campus. Each has their pros and cons. All-freshmen housing allows you to get to know a lot of regular freshmen and bond with the September freshmen class. The atmosphere is particularly energetic as everyone makes a conscious effort to keep their doors open and go to meals together. Upperclassmen housing allows you to get to know sophomores, juniors, and sometimes even seniors. This is a great way to get integrated into the Midd life fast as upperclassmen are always willing to show you a few things about the finer points of Midd.

The reality is that not that many Febs get placed into all-freshmen dorms. Regular freshmen without roommates get to choose a Feb room with them. Other rooms in all-freshmen dorms are filled with two Feb roomates. Not to worry though, Febs get some of the best housing on campus since they often get placed in upperclassmen dorms (i.e. palatial residences). You can be placed in a single (often in Ross Commons), a double (usually in Cook, Atwater, or Brainerd Commons), or a suite (usually in Wonacott Commons). Doubles are the most common for Febs. Febs are, of course, spread out across the campus.

One of the pluses of rooming as a Feb is that if you don't like where you are assigned, you only have to wait a semester before entering room draw for the next year. Febs are considered equally with the rest of the freshmen in sophomore room draw. Febs actually have four room draws as they get an extra room draw super senior year (for the fall semester before graduation). Ryan Kellett (rkellett@middlebury.edu)

You will mostly live in upperclassmen housing (Starr, Gifford, Painter, Chateau) but there are also Febs in all-freshman dorms like Allen and Battell. I lived in Starr, and it was nice because it was very quiet. The people in it were mostly juniors and sophomores, but I didn't really meet that many people on my hall. This could be considered a drawback. Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

Although as an incoming Feb you won't be able to pick your room or roommates, everyone seems to be happy where they end up living their first semester. In many cases, you will be taking the room of an upperclassman who has gone abroad for the spring semester. As a result, room possibilities very to a great degree. You might end up in a single, double or even a suite. Although rare, it is even possible for you to end up rooming with a regular admissions freshman. All of these options have their advantages and disadvantages. Although at first a single may seem lonely, you will quickly learn to appreciate having your own space. Of course it is always nice to have a roommate to keep you company at night, but if you are concerned about making friends, don't be. During orientation you will make over one hundred of your closest friends at Middlebury. For those lucky enough to get a suite, you can enjoy the comfort and space of a common area and perhaps even a small kitchen. Haik Kavookjian (hkavookj@middlebury.edu)

Because you are a Feb, housing works a little differently. Basically you could be anywhere. While this might scare you at first, it is a great opportunity to meet new people and even if you are in upper-class housing there will probably be a Feb or two with you. Jennifer Holcomb (jholcomb@middlebury.edu)

Febs are placed in almost every dorm on campus, with upperclassmen or freshmen, and it's almost random where you will end up living. Those who end up in freshman dorms usually find themselves more easily integrated into September student social situations. I was put in a sophomore hall, and as such, myself and the rest of the Febs who are spread out on campus travel to each other's rooms to see one another. There is certainly no barrier to meeting upperclassmen, however, which can be seen as a significant advantage to living with older students. They have a wealth of knowledge about how the school works, who to take classes from, and what to do in your spare time. I heard about housing in January, with enough time to talk to my roommate and plan out what I was bringing. Sam Libby (slibby@middlebury.edu)

Feb housing is awesome. You'll generally slide right into upper-classmen housing, which can be anything from singles to four-person suites (complete with private bathroom and kitchenettes), or maybe you'll land in Battell or Stewart with the rest of the freshman. In any situation, though, you'll never be alone—there will always be at least one other Feb living with you or right close by. You'll hear about your housing assignments a couple weeks before school. Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

In all honesty, I remember many febs complaining that we didn't get our housing assignments until very late. Ultimately, I think about half of the class get placed in freshman housing and half in upperclassmen housing. I was personally placed in upperclassmen housing, in an enormous single, but on a hall with plenty of other febs. I do have to admit, while I loved having my own space, and plenty of it at that, it did get a bit lonely at times as I wasn't living in one of the rowdier freshman housing buildings. But, I do have to say the room was enormous and I think they tried to put as many febs near one another as possible. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

As a Feb you can end up absolutely anywhere on campus. I lived in Battell, which is an all- freshman dorm, in a double with a September student. Though I was a little surprised at first because I thought all Febs roomed with other Febs, it was a great experience living with a freshman because I got to know a lot of other Septs through her and through living in a freshman dorm. Most of my friends, however, were living in upperclassmen housing, which has nicer rooms, but these dorms were often less social because the juniors and seniors do not work quite as hard to get to know the new Febs in their dorm. Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

Febs can be placed almost anywhere. Sometimes you really get lucky and get a great room left by a study abroad student or just-graduated feb. Sometimes you get stuck in the cramped rooms where all the September freshman live. It’s a trade-off. If you live with Sophomores or Juniors, like I did, you may have to work a little harder to meet new people, but you’ll get a comfortable space that Freshman otherwise never get. If you live in Battell, Stewart, Atwater or Ross (the Freshman dorms) you’ll be cramped but you’ll have a new way to meet people. Either way, don’t worry about it. William Bellaimey wbellaim@middlebury.edu

4:

How does the rest of the campus react to the arrival of new Febs each winter?

A:

It is slightly overwhelming to finish your Feb orientation with 120 kids and then realize that the whole rest of the Midd campus is coming back tomorrow. Everyone is generally really excited to meet the new students. Upperclassman are pretty much used to Febs, so Midd goes on as usual. September freshman (Regs) are slightly more intimidated by the arrival of the Febs. The feeling tends to be mutual though. The Regs think all the Febs have saved the world, so we are kind of awesome to them. But Febs are intimidated by the Regs because there are more of them, and they have been at college a full semester already. Just remember that Febs and Regs are ALL FRESHMEN! We are the same in EVERY other respect! Thea Morrison (almorris@middlebury.edu)

Most students are excited for Febs to arrive. After a long first semester, and a very cold beginning to the winter, enthusiastic February entrants are a highlight for current Middlebury students. Samantha Kaminsky (skaminsk@middlebury.edu)

Excited, keen, and sometimes a little overly enthusiastic. Every regular student I've met has been friendly and psyched to learn that I was a Feb. For them, it's like getting a whole new group of students at an already small school, so it has a big effect on the class. Aaron Krivitzky (akrivitz@middlebury.edu)

A lot of the campus is fairly excited.   In a community as small as Middlebury's 100 new people is pretty big news.   Febs can develop a small degree of isolationism at the beginning of the spring semester, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the appearance of 2000 or so new people.  If you're nice to everyone, everyone will be nice to you. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

The campus explodes in excitement for Febs. It is the extra boost that keeps the school going when it gets cold. Your energy will add such life to the school that it has become expected. Clubs, teams, and organization draw heavily on the Feb class and always make room for your arrival. Teachers love to have new Febs in their classes too. Pretty much only freshmen, who have yet to experience a Feb class, are afraid of you. Even then those freshmen are also intrigued by the presence of newcomers. They will grow to like you soon enough. Ryan Kellett (rkellett@middlebury.edu)

It was my experience that, for the most part, people were excited to have new Febs on campus. A lot of the upperclassmen were especially friendly. Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

Other Febs are most excited for your arrival. They totally understand what you're experiencing, and have the benefit of knowing how scared you may be, but ultimately how lucky you truly are!  The other students respond well to the new Febs, especially if the Febs make it clear that they want to be known. Rayna Rogowsky (rrogowsk@middlebury.edu)

I would say the best word to describe people's reactions is intrigued. Here you are, this new kid on campus but there are a lot of you. Here's a hint, people are just as scared of you as you are of them so just go up and introduce yourself, everyone loves to meet new people. Jennifer Holcomb (jholcomb@middlebury.edu)

Everyone's real excited to meet the Febs when we first arrive on campus. The orientation experience, with 25 sophomore Febs who are incredibly excited to meet you and have you at Midd, was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have taken part in, and I hope to be a Feb leader next year.  Overall, there is absolutely no disharmony with any other students. Everyone is very interested in what cool things you did with your semester, and how that has offered you more to bring to Midd. Sam Libby (slibby@middlebury.edu)

Honestly, they go nuts. In a good way. Every time I introduced myself as a Feb, the reaction was almost always the same. "Really? That's awesome! What did you do? Where do you live?" I think that we arrive at the perfect time. When the rest of the campus is kind of down since it's the middle of winter, we inject a shot of life into the community. Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

We stick out like a sore thumb, but I think everyone else understands that. There is a certain excitement about the Febs' arrival in winter, or at least for some. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

The rest of the campus is generally pretty excited to meet a bunch of new people; I had Sept friends begging me to introduce them to other Febs! Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

When you first arrive, you’ll be surrounded by the older Febs who run the orientation and adults who love Febs. You will feel like rock stars. Really. Then when the rest of the campus arrives you’ll be treated like everyone else. People are friendly and interested to meet you, but they might be a little intimidated by these loud newcomers who are euphoric and unstressed and travel in packs of 50. It’s OK. Have a sense of humor about it all and you’ll be loved by your classmates, who need a kick of energy in the rut of their second semester. William Bellaimey wbellaim@middlebury.edu

5:

How easy is it to connect with first-year students who arrived in September?

A:

At first, due to the intimidation factor, we stick with our own. But Febs want to meet Regs, and Regs want to meet Febs. What I found was that for the first half of the semester, before spring break, I hung out with almost all Febs. After break however I meet a ton of Regs. It helps when you know a Feb who lives with a Reg, then you can merge groups of friends. Overall it is really easy to meet September kids; usually the mixing happens all on its own before you realize it! Thea Morrison (almorris@middlebury.edu)

Honestly, it is somewhat difficult. Most September students are friendly, however, they usually already have somewhat tight-knit friendship groups. That aside, with a little effort and a friendly attitude, it is very possible to connect and befriend September students. Samantha Kaminsky (skamansk@middlebury.edy)

They are people too! Meeting regular students is just like meeting Feb students, they are really no different. Aaron Krivitzky (akrivitz@middlebury.edu)

You'll be taking classes with people from all grades.  You'll be in clubs with people from all years.  You're more likely to make friends with other Febs, just like when you were a freshman in high school you were more likely to make friends with other freshman, but that doesn't mean you won't make friends outside of your Feb class. 100 people may seem like a lot but you'll get bored with them eventually. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

Of the people already on campus, the people I found it pretty easy to connect with the first-years who arrived in September, largely because I had classes with them. Some are not really concerned with the Febs, but for the most part, students want to meet new people and make new friends. It's nice to get to know the first-years because they know what it's like to be a freshman, but they also have some experience with classes and other campus-related things that Febs might not have yet. Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

For the first few weeks, the Febs tend to stick together as a group. You will have just spent four days of orientation forming close friendships with your fellow Febs. These relationships are important and you shouldn't feel obligated to leave your new friends in search of "Regs." At the same time, it is important to stay optimistic with regards to meeting new people. Over time, you will begin to branch out and meet the rest of the campus. During the first few weeks everyone will seem very friendly and outgoing as they try to find new friends. Don't lose this positive attitude as the semester roles on. Remember, the other students are probably just as nervous and excited about meeting you as you are about meeting them. Introducing yourself to the other people on your hall is a great place to start. Just be yourself and have an amazing time. Haik Kavookjian (hkavookj@middlebury.edu)

It's easy if you make the effort to connect with September first-year students.  I found they are hungry for more friends, especially ones they can connect with, but you often have to initiate a desire to meet people who aren't Febs, as well.  Rayna Rogowsky(rrogowsk@middlebury.edu)

In my opinion, this really depends on your housing. If you are in a freshman dorm you will have freshman friends in no time. If you are elsewhere it might be a little tougher but the advantage to a small school is that you will meet people in classes, clubs, etc., so it's really not that hard. Jennifer Holcomb (jholcomb@middlebury.edu)

I'm not going to lie, it's usually much easier to connect to Febs who come in your class than it is to meet September students. With minimal effort, however, it's certainly feasible to meet other first-years. While you might be nervous at first to meet them, they're certainly nervous to meet you too! Sam Libby (slibby@middlebury.edu)

You might need to make the effort to introduce yourself, but once you do, you're all set. Everyone is excited to meet you and learn about who you are, and also you'll be in classes with tons of September students, and you'll meet a bunch on your very first day of class. Your social network just grows and grows and grows… Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

It isn't that easy, but you will always find first-year students who are open to meeting new people even though most have already established their circles of friends. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

Very easy if you make the effort! You have to remember that most of the Septs have already formed their groups of friends; you have to reach out to them if you want to get to know them. Just like they are sometimes intimidating in their groups of friends, the Febs are even more so when they are all clumped together. Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

It really depends on how much effort you put into it. There are times where it can seem really difficult and others where it’s easy. In the beginning, Febs tend to stick with Febs because of how close they get to one another during orientation. Yet, over time, you will start to meet more people outside of your Feb class. Sometimes living with “Regs” can make it easier to connect with them. Also, you will have classes with people from all different years, so that is also a good way to meet other first-years. Try joining a sports team or a group on campus; they are easy ways to meet people outside of the Feb class. Carolyn Birsky cbirsky@middlebury.edu

It varies from person to person. There is a limit to the number of new people you can get to know well in a new environment. September first years start by getting to know the other 30 people on their dorm floor, then slowly branch out to other dorms. Most febs start by getting to know their 100 feb classmates and then branch out to their September classmates as the semester moves on. If you make an effort to meet a wide variety of people, and if you try out a variety of activities, you’ll have no trouble connecting with all kinds of students. By fall, the class will feel far more integrated. William Bellaimey wbellaim@middlebury.edu

6:

What are some of the benefits of being a Feb?

A:

As I mentioned before, you have had a whole semester off to do whatever you want. This helps you focus your studies in ways that people who haven’t had the time to think about it can’t do. For me I was SO excited to get back to school that even doing schoolwork again wasn’t that bad. For the most part Feb housing is also awesome. And did I mention we get to ski down a mountain to graduate? Thea Morrison (almorris@middlebury.edu)

Instead of beginning college right out of high school, Febs start the university experience after a semester of new experiences and growth. Febs also enter Middlebury with a group of about 100 other students, allowing the Feb class to bond, creating a large friendship pool and welcoming atmosphere and support group. Samantha Kaminsky (skaminsk@middlebury.edu)

Time to do WHATEVER YOU WANT! The ability to "not know where anything is" when you get here and have that be ok ('cause you're a Feb). Bonding with students all over campus, rather than students who you live near. Feb orientation. Aaron Krivitzky (akrivitz@middlebury.edu)

The odds are pretty good that your Feb semester is the longest time in which you won't just go to school and do what is expected of you.  This alone is a rewarding experience, coupled with the opportunity to see a small part of the world outside the realm of academia.  Your friends from home might consider you worldly and wise, if you're lucky. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

You have a semester to explore and travel, or work and save money, and it's a break from the schoolwork! You can broaden your horizons and bring that experience with you to Middlebury, making the campus that much more expanded and worldly. Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

You get the best of both worlds!!! You don't get a whole year "behind" others in your high school graduating class, but you get time to grow and mature individually.  There is no wrong way to spend your Feb semester, it is just another opportunity to experience your own life and then come to amazing Middlebury where you continue to grow with everyone else in this nurturing community. Another benefit is that you have more time than the other first-years to figure out your academic and extra-curricular future because you have a summer interrupting your freshman year! Rayna Rogowsky (rrogowsk@middlebury.edu)

Being a Feb allows you to gain a really unique perspective before entering college. You really get a chance to learn what you are really all about and it's nice to enter college knowing that. Jennifer Holcomb (jholcomb@middlebury.edu)

Feb Orientation, an amazing concert by the faculty band, as well as a square dance. An immediate community of 100 people who want meet new people as much as you do. Basically Febs are amazing and we all stick together through thick and thin. Most Febs jump right into clubs, student government, and intramural or varsity sports. Also, the Feb community is ridiculously connected. You'll probably find someone that is only two degrees of separation or less away from you. Also, most Febs actually run into another Feb during their Febmester, believe it or not. We have a Feb grilled cheese night every Thursday at midnight that's basically a study break and hangout session for anyone who wants to come, even though it started as a Feb thing. Sam Libby (slibby@middlebury.edu)

To start, there's Feb Orientation, which is pretty much guaranteed to be one of the coolest experiences of your life. Ask any Feb, anytime, how much they liked Feb Orientation, and I'll bet you can't find one who didn't. Next, there's the upper-classmen housing, which is sweet. You also have an instant, tight-night group to hang out with. You're almost a class within the freshman class. It's not exclusive, but it's like being part of a special club. 50 of us still meet every Thursday night to make grilled cheese together—we're that kind of crowd. Also, there's a quick turnaround from being a "new kid" since you only spend one semester at school before coming back next fall as a Midd veteran. There are also spots reserved specially for Febs in lots of classes, many of which are almost impossible to get into otherwise. And, of course, there's your fall semester, which has the potential to be one of the best experiences of your life! Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

Time off before starting school!! Regardless of how you spend your time off, I think it's really valuable to take a breather after high school, gain a different perspective, enhance an old one, and then maybe have a better idea of how you want to use your time at Middlebury. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

You get to take the time off between high school and starting college which is such a plus! You also get eased into college by only having one semester before summer vacation. AND YOU GET TO SKI DOWN THE MOUNTAIN FOR GRADUATION!!! Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

There are so many it is impossible to list them all! To start, you’ve had time off from the rigor of school to breathe and do something that interests you. You will be starting Middlebury with a group of students who have done the same. Everyone will have amazing stories to share and will be just as excited as you are to finally be at Midd. Carolyn Birsky cbirsky@middlebury.edu

7:

What are some of the drawbacks?

A:

Sometimes the way course requirements/offerings work doesn’t tailor to the Feb. For example, a lot of the science classes are only offered one semester and have prerequisites that you have to take first. This can get tricky, but that is the only drawback I can think of. Thea Morris (amorris@middlebury.edu)

The College has already been in action before Febs arrive, and therefore Febs need to be proactive in orienting themselves with the campus, courses, and clubs. However, with a good attitude, and an active stance, Febs can quickly and easily become immersed in the Middlebury College community. Samantha Kaminsky (skaminsk@middlebury.edu)

Housing (not this year). Class registration. Aaron Krivitzky (akrivitz@middlebury.edu)

At some points in your time off you might worry that the world has forgotten about you, because you're no longer completely plugged into the system that has fostered you for so long.  Don't worry.  This builds character. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

It can be hard at first to meet some of the regular students, partially because you are so close with your Feb class and partially because everyone else already has friends that they have spent the entire semester with. It's not, however, a big deal. Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

It can be a little intimidating arriving on campus and not having a clue as to what you are doing, but no worries, after Feb orientation you will feel like you've been at Midd all year. Jennifer Holcomb (jholcomb@middlebury.edu)

Being too cool. Talking about your travels too much. Competitions to see who has been to the most countries. Feb hangouts that are just too much fun. Sam Libby (slibby@middlebury.edu)

Registration in the spring for the fall semester can be tough, since Febs fall dead-last in the registration hierarchy. That said, most everyone I've talked to got at least 3 out of their 4 classes, and chances are good that, if you persist, you'll get into your 4th. There is the potential of not living with lots of other first-years, and therefore you could miss out on the "typical" freshman housing  "experience" in college, but that's not necessarily a bad thing…. Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

It is hard to adjust entering halfway through the year because you may feel like you are in a very different place from the other students on campus. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

You won’t get into all of the classes that you want (though that’s the same for everyone …), but go and talk to the teacher and sit in on the class; most teachers will let you in! Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

8:

Please share any additional advice you think would be helpful.

A:

HAVE FUN!!! Your Febmester is your time! How many other people do you know who get to say “I basically had an 8 month summer vacation and you won’t believe all the cool stuff I did?!” Febs ROCK and that’s the truth. Don’t be nervous about joining the campus half way through the year! Your orientation is going to be great and you will settle in REALLY quickly. Don’t forget about FOO! It is a really great chance to meet people and to get to know Vermont! I can’t wait to meet y’all in February! Thea Morrison (almorris@middlebury.edu)

Enjoy your time off.  Don't feel like you have to get something specific out of it, and do what you want - you won't get this chance again. Rich Saunders (rksaunde@middlebury.edu)

Be a Feb! It's amazing! Samantha Pack (spack@middlebury.edu)

Come to Middlebury with an open mind.  If you are prepared for Feb matriculation to be difficult, but want to make the most of it, then you will feel wonderful when you get here and everything works out! Rayna Rogowsky (rrogowsk@middlebury.edu)

If you haven't already, get in touch with a current Feb at Midd to hear about their experience. While reading these Q & A's can be extremely valuable, so can hearing about someone's experience first-hand. Torin Hayes (tdhayes@middlebury.edu)

Despite the drawbacks, this time off really is good for you! Enjoy whatever you end up doing and know that you will have a very cool (sometimes overly enthusiastic) group of other Febs (both young and old) waiting for your arrival in February. Elianna Kan ekan@middlebury.edu

Fight for what you want. You are not always going to get everything dropped in your lap. Alison DeGraff adegraff@middlebury.edu

9:

Want to ask another question of the most recent class of Febs?

A:

Send an email to kguttent@middlebury.edu with your question. We will pose it to the Feb Class of 2009, and post the questions and their answers on this site as we receive them.