Commons for 1st Years

gilroyb

Should every 1st year be made attend Commons once during their first term/year? I think it would help get students into the traditions of college rather than just feeling like a cog in the 'Trinity Experience' education machine. I know a number of people who are happy they went to Trinity because of the friends they made, but feel they never connected with the institution.

ApeXaviour

Nah nobody should be made "connect with the institution". If the traditions aren't your thing then so be it. Forcing it upon somebody who doesn't want it will make them despise it rather than be merely indifferent.

europerson

I don't think it's a necessary condition for the Trinity experience to have attended Commons. It is, however, a sufficient condition in being part of one who has experienced the Trinity experience.

As you can tell, I have a Maths exam today.

Nietzschean

'connected with the institution' wtf does that mean? i've been to commons twice in my 4 years, and both experences were decidedly meh

cuckoo

In first year the physics dept took us to commons, i think it was during hillary term. It was nice to go out as a class, but the highlight of the evening for me was the fact that it was a free dinner that i didn't have to cook or clean up for. The food ain't all that, or even any of that.

There are group rates for tickets to encourage socs, class groups and clubs to go, but it's not exactly the most fun night out. It was the fastest three course dinner i've ever eaten - the courses are rushed through. So, if there was something on afterwards for ppl to go to (eg a debate, talk, whatever) it's a way to get fed quickly.

A cheaper (and tastier, there's an actual choice about what you eat) way to get the 'trinity experience' is to eat lunch there - instead of the 2 veg that come with the student special/veg dish you can bring your plate over to the salad counter in the middle and get two salads.

MaxBax

i went to commons once and that was a few months ago and I found the food very mediocore. It was free so I didn't mind. Got a few free glasses of stale guiness though!!! Great stuff. Like drinking dodgy yop.

I think anyone going to commons to get a further appreciation for the college may be a bit disappointed. the latin prayer at the start, in my experience, is blurted out by someone that would be rather reading cosmo.

the waiters are quite adrupt. nice though. as cuckoo says, the food is blah. very blah. i was with someone and she didn't eat a thing.

commons, sure, go, sometime, but only if it's free.