Smith College Top Questions

My social life is entirely centered around my house, so I'll talk about that. I'm involved in my house government, which is annoying sometimes, but good because I want my house community to function well. My best friends here are all from my house, and we eat together, watch tv together, study together. Most people leave their doors open, or are willing to have visitors. There are parties nearly every weekend that I don't go to for the most part, but are however quite popular. The dating scene is interesting, because if you want girls, then probably just staying at Smith is your best option, if you want guys you can go to UMass, but they might not be of the best... quality. Some effort is needed, but it's not that bad. Each year we have a few big events, like Convocation (uhhh, I don't want to scare you), Mountain Day (a spontaneous day off in the fall), Rally Day (a celebration of the seniors and some alumnae), and Primal Scream (the night before finals at 10pm we go outside and let off some steam).

most popular group is probably smith dems. many sports teams are popular too... it depends a lot on the house and community as to whether someone will leave her door open or not. my friends and i hang out around the house a lot, maybe go downtown and hang out there. there is always plenty to do that doesnt involve drinking which is really nice. there are a lot of drinkers and partyers here though.

Some times in the year people are more willing to leave their doors open or take part in social events. As the semester progresses many times people are too busy and stressed to participate, which cultivates the culture of stress Smith is becoming notorious for. My friends and I rarely drink and often watch movies together, get coffee downtown and sometimes go to shows.

Popular teams: crew, rugby, ultimate frisbee. I'm involved in crew - it's fun but it's a big commitment. We wake up before 5 every day and race all day every Saturday. Students definitely leave their rooms open - you know everyone in your house. Athletic events are mostly attended by family and friends of athletes. Guest speakers get varying audiences depending on their topic and how well publicized they were. Theater is pretty available and seems well attended. Dating: girls date girls, some people arrive with boyfriends, a few find five college boys. My closest friends are from my house and crew. Awake at 2 am on Tuesday means you're working on a paper that's due at 9. Traditions: convocation, primal scream, rally day, streaking the cc etc. Sororities are only available off campus. Last weekend I raced, went to an alumnae tea and did homework. Saturday night: go to a party but don't drink, watch a movie with friends, go to the mall (roller skating, laser tag), contra-dancing in Greenfield if you've got a ride, go to a performance. Off campus there's shopping, movies, bowling, laser-tag, roller-skating, ice skating, dinner, cafes etc.

Social life at Smith is what you make of it. There are often too many activites on a given night or weekend between stuff in the houses, campus-sponsored events, music concerts, theater, lectures, free movies, stuff in town, stuff in the other 5 colleges, etc. Your closest friends, though, are in your house. They are your family for four years, automatic community. Smith traditions keep community alive, as well as house governance. On a given weekend, I could spend time loafing in someone's room with a group of close friends, all piled on a bed eating take-out or party-hopping in the Quad. There are always events that do not involve drinking, it is not an integral part of Smith social life but it does happen. Dating can be hard if your straight, but not impossible.

Well, during the week if you are up at 2 am in Gardiner House you are doing one of two things: freaking out about work or drinking. My house parties quite often, however we try to do so in a responsible manner. Smith lacks a party scene (its has deteriorated significantly in the past five years). This is the biggest down fall of Smith. In addition to not having parties, Smith does not provide any alcohol training for incoming students. This could be a huge reason why our first-year students tend to binge drink so much.

i avoid them.

Smith is by no means a "party school", but there are more options available on campus for fun then I had imagined there would be; free movies, speakers, dance and theater performances and dance parties come immediately to mind. I am very involved with the Smith College Democrats and we often leave Smith on the weekends for campaign trips and events, which is a great way to love Smith and not get sick of it.

Smith has quite a few extracurricular groups, ranging from "Minorities in the Sciences" and the BSA to political groups, debate, sports teams, etc. I have yet to find a group to be involved with, however. We get a lot of guest speakers and various alum panels to discuss industries/majors. My house does not have any incidents of stealing that I am aware of. My door is usually open and I rarely lock it. I am closest to the people I live with. Smith has a lot of events and school traditions, such as Mountain Day and Rally Day, Quadstock, Quad Riot, various house rivalries, etc. A lot of school pride is generated from these events. There is virtually no dating scene. The only typical social events that we have are "house parties," which are excuses for men to show up at the college in order to find easy sex. One is better off getting off campus to the surrounding schools if they want to find meaningful relationships with men/other people. The Rec Council shows movies on the weekends; one can eat in town or see performances/movies; there are usually things going on that would not necessarily facilitate drinking. My sleep patterns have me up at 2 am on most nights.

The Quad is the party area of campus where pretty much every weekend involves wild partying, while Green Street is stereotypically quite and studious. There are many other options for those who do not wish to partake in such activities. During the week, there are many interesting speakers and other on-campus events to attend.