Welcome Week isn’t the same when it’s not your first year on campus.

Each year, various organizations on campus put on events in the days leading up to the first week of classes. As a freshman, Welcome Week was exciting because I had no idea what to expect and my RA really talked it up.

At orientation, the AMIGOS that lead my small group in ice breakers explained Welcome Week as being the greatest week during the school year: free food, free t-shirts and long nights full of fun designed for freshmen but attended by everyone.

I went to every Welcome Week activity my freshman year and I remember being shocked by the lack of attendance – specifically the lack of attendance by my RA and AMIGOS.

Now a sophomore, I understand why non-freshman fail to make appearances at many of the Welcome Week activities.

Welcome Week isn’t meant for us. It’s repetitive, awkward and, for lack of a better word, juvenile.

On one hand, I recognize that Welcome Week isn’t SpringFest but that it takes just as much effort to put on, and I commend all of the organizations on their hard work.

But on the other, how many leather bracelets do I need? One is enough. I certainly don’t need to make one every year.

And how many times do I need to “wobble”? It seems that every dance that’s put on comes with a standard playlist compromised of the exact same songs…over and over and over again.

Yes, there are a couple non-freshman based activities, like the Block Party in the apartments. The Block Party, which has the potential to be the best Welcome Week event, is simply known for free hot dogs.

I asked many in my class if they were going to be attending the Block Party and the vast majority provided the same response: “Get in. Get a hot dog. And get out.” That was the objective.

Outside of the Block Party and hypnotist, Welcome Week offers very few activities that attract non-freshman.

The SpringFest Committee sent out a post-SpringFest survey last year that asked those who attended what their opinions on the events were and what they would like to see occur at future SpringFests.

If the organizations responsible for Welcome Week were to follow suit, there would be better attendance and retention numbers at future Welcome Week events.

In the meantime, they can start by updating their playlists.