It’s called the dance floor theory.
There are two types of people on a dance floor: those who stand near the wall, arms crossed, observing the crowd, and those who get up, have fun and dance the night away.
The same theory can apply to new students at St. Joseph’s College.
Some students will spend their college career sitting on the sidelines, watching a whirlwind of their peers getting involved – joining clubs and playing sports – thrash by, while others will live in the moment, taking advantage of everything college has to offer.
Tom Krieglstein, the founder of Swift Kick, gives a presentation during orientation.
Tom Krieglstein, the founder of Swift Kick – a company that teaches other companies and colleges across the country how to increase engagement involvement – told the nearly 200 incoming freshmen at the SJC Brooklyn orientation on Aug. 29 to be mindful of this theory as they start their college career. The College also welcomed 66 transfer students during orientation.
“Rule number one of the dance floor theory says that the more friends we have on the dance floor, the more fun it’s going to be,” Krieglstein said. “You’re like one mini, little dance floor at SJC.”
Krieglstein explained that while many of the freshmen don’t know each other yet, the more they get involved with clubs and sports and meet people with similar interests, the more they are going to enjoy the college experience.
Orientation Welcomes New Students To SJC Brooklyn
Throughout the day at orientation, freshmen and transfer students were introduced to the urban Clinton Hill campus that spans three city blocks. Student leaders showed them all the essentials: where to go to sign up for classes, where to eat and where to get extra help with their studies. They also stressed the importance of getting involved in the clubs and sports – further driving home the point that the best college experiences (and dances) involve getting out there, meeting people and having a good time.
Freshmen Briana Gomez and Jamie Provino during orientation.
Transfer students Michael Whitney, a sophomore, and Natalie Pava, a junior – who are both living in the College’s off-campus housing at Hotel St. George – became instant friends at orientation.
“I’m excited to come to this school and start finally,” Whitney said. “I’ve been wanting to come here for two years, and then finally having that opportunity to come here – coming from a small town in New Hampshire, I can’t believe I’m in the big city.”
Pava, who lives in Miami, said she finds it exciting that she is already befriending people – like Whitney – who grew up on the opposite end of the east coast.
“This has been my third college and it’s already been the best,” Pava said.
