Moving past ‘small talk’: the pitfalls of Fresher’s FOMO

Liza Chernobay Staff Writer

Illustrated by Charlie To

Following

Results Day, Freshers

Week is by far the most anticipated and thrilling time for incoming undergraduate students. It is a week of polished outfits, big smiles, endless small talk and, frankly, drinking. Many LSE freshers enter this rite of passage with one goal: to make new friends. Given the overwhelming pace of social activities and an underlying pressure to participate in them, is it possible to enjoy freshers week while staying true to oneself?

Jess and Annamaria, both firstyear students, describe ‘freshers FOMO’ as missing out on “bonding experiences” and “feeling part of a community”. The fear of being left friendless stems from a primal need for “companionship” and “connec- of a community” pushes students to join in on activities which they may not need or enjoy because they associate the sense of craving for belonging with “fun”.

Effectively, this “artificial” social behaviour does not actually facilitate the connection with like-minded people that students seek at the dawn of university life. Students interviewed confirmed that what truly mattered to them were “meaningful”, fruitful conversations in a congenial atmosphere, as opposed to the “boring” and “one-dimensional” small talk which prevails during freshers week. Such profound communication is very hard to achieve in a nightclub, for instance - especially when you find yourself in company of people you don’t know. When asked about alternatives, students pointed to “pre-drinks” and “house parties” as more suitable envi tricky while constantly pretending to be someone else, and it is also incredibly energy-draining. By socialising more than we can afford physically or emotionally, we ultimately exhaust our “social energy”, leaving us empty and too tired to spend time with the people we like, comments Daniel, another first-year LSE student.

In the words of Dr. Anjana Bala, an Anthropology Fellow at LSE: “we live in a hyper-connected world [where] there are more ways in which one knows they are missing out.” From an anthropological perspective, this “global digital culture” influences our decisions regarding how and when we socialise. As a specialist in psychological anthropology, Dr. Bala points out that sometimes, the life which society positions as “good” and appealing is not always suitable for us. We should therefore listen to ourselves more intent

However, vulnerability itself is powerful as it can be transformed into something creative. For Dr. Bala, the anchor which helps her feel “rooted” when restorative.

Despite the pressures and temptations which London university life has on offer, it’s she is “pulled into different directions” is dance. She suggests that “engaging with various types of knowledge and artistic practices that help you think critically of what’s happening important to stay true to oneself and reclaim the power to choose how you want to spend your time. Some students are naturally ‘party animals’, while others prefer chatting over a coffee, so the question lies not ise, but in consciously setting the right boundaries and not over-straining oneself. Choose activities which empower and ful connection with people who interest you, and don’t neglect time for being with just yourself

Finally, if ever in doubt, consult

Does this strengthen the bonds