ANDRI NEL
In the movies, the hero always has the most awesome song playing as he or she walks onto the scene for the first time – and who hasn’t wanted to have that same experience? Well, here is your chance (to some extent). Perdeby presents our top ten songs to help you get through one of the most stressful – and awesome – times of your life: orientation.
Registration day: “Take It Off” by Ke$ha
This is the day your stomach feels like a thousand butterflies want to burst out of it, but just think of university as “the place downtown where the freaks all come around”. Because let’s face it, students are kind of a weird bunch who sometimes do some pretty strange things, especially in the process of leaving school and becoming true Tukkies.
Boring information sessions: “All Time Low” by The Wanted
This band may not be all that well-known yet, but these British boys will pick up the pace in any information sessions and make you tap your feet so that you don’t hear a word the speakers are saying (not that we’re suggesting not listening).
Sleep: “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry
Sleep is an age-old Tukkie res tradition where, in the early hours of the morning, the guys and girls reses come together and walk, arms linked and in a row, onto campus. This is a great way to meet new guys and girls. And who knows? You might just find the one who makes you feel like a “Teenage Dream” on one of these early morning strolls.
Ienkmelodienk: “For Your Entertainment” by Adam Lambert
The most embarrassing, but also the most fun thing you can do as a first year on stage in the Amphitheatre. It means lots of practice, early mornings (which go so well with the sleep squeezing in there too) and very late nights. It also means lots of new people, singing, dancing and the biggest adrenaline rush ever.
Blommetjies Vou: “Dog Days” by Florence and the Machine
Even longer nights lie ahead when it comes to “blommetjies vou”. Well, the truth is pretty much no sleep at all lies ahead. Your fingers are raw by the end of the week from shoving polystyrene flowers into chicken wire, but the end result is amazing: a float made up of hundreds of flowers you and your new friends have folded, and afterwards you can say, like Florence, “the dog days are over”. At least for the time being.
Zef Troue: “Enter The Ninja” by Die Antwoord
Although this is really only a res activity, anyone is welcome to come and watch. The HK of the various reses get dressed up in the most zef outfits possible, and then the prim and primaria of the houses that rag together “get married”. Afterwards there is a huge party in the Square. Definitely not one to be missed – let your inner “zeffer” free for just one night, Die Antwoord-style.
Getting lost on campus on your first day: “Telephone” by Lady Gaga
Campus is big and you are just a new and confused first year with seniors telling you the Louw Hall is on South Campus. You’re bound to get lost somewhere, somehow. Lady Gaga is just as crazy as you feel and therefore is the one to listen to when you get lost. Go sit under a tree and make peace with the fact that you have just missed your very first class, it happens. (Tip: try the map in your Tukkie Diary.)
First Love: “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
This is the perfect first date song for you and your first university love. Guys, it might sound like a really corny song, but corny works on us girls. Treat her to a picnic at LC or a nice dinner (see page 20 for ideas on where).
Rag Farm, Rag procession and after party: “Club Can’t Handle Me” by Flo Rida featuring David Guetta
The Friday and Saturday of Rag Week are usually the two craziest nights during Rag. On Saturday, expect a very long walk behind the float through the streets of Pretoria followed by awesome bands in the square. As for Rag Farm on Friday, the line-up is usually awesome, and the night is complete with lots of rain and mud. Even if you miss everything else during orientation, you cannot miss this one if you want to have any social life at all afterwards. This song will pick you back up after that long walk.
Celebrating your survival at the end of orientation: “Princes of the Universe” by Queen
A classic song to end off a classic time of your life. You have overcome one of the most challenging two weeks of your life. Missing mom’s food and your dog has all been worth it. You are now officially the first years of 2011, the “Princes of the Universe”.
Perdeby hopes that this playlist will come in handy throughout orientation. Remember, this is one of the best times of your life and a few tracks to go along with the memories is sure to make it even better. Enjoy every moment, and if you’re in res, well, all that is left is for you to wait until July when you are actually allowed to go to the Square. Ah, the joys of being a first year.
