Friendships Forged

Photo By Sarah Buski

New friends (l-r) Lindsay Goldenberg, Yuki Bourdea and Rebecca Lee enjoy the Orientation Gala in Etherington House at the Art Centre on September 15, 2006.

The Cruise proved to be the best Orientation memory held by Art Cockfield, Associate Dean and alumnus of Queen's Law. "Orientation gave us an informal and collegial setting to meet and learn more about each other", said Cockfield of his first week at Queen's. "We met people with similar interests. We developed close relationships which made the law school experience an even happier one." Orientation is meant to ease the social stresses associated with starting law school. Current second year student and Orientation Committee Social Coordinator Meg Bolohan's experience proved that the goal of Orientation worked for her, "Orientation week made me feel less nervous and more comfortable about being in law school. It helped to make the transition very easy and enjoyable." First year student Richard McCluskey, fresh out of his Orientation experience agreed, "Orientation facilitates the whole transition into a new life. It's a lot easier to put your hand out there for an introduction while standing in a bowling lane, or at a social, than it is in the middle of a Torts class."

The importance of relationships forged during the first week of law school is undeniable. Many events during Orientation are designed to provide first year students with a network of peers and mentors to provide guidance and support during their time at the school and beyond. "Without orientation I'm not sure how I would have gone about meeting other first years, but it also did a good job of introducing us to students in the other two years" said McCluskey. "I met many of my best friends during my first year orientation. I met students who had the same interests as I did, and we joined clubs together. I met upper year students who ended up giving me great advice on making it through first year" added Bolohan, further emphasizing the importance of Orientation's role in creating a social as well as supportive network for students. "I still have friends from my first week of school; from that first week I developed a sense of loyalty and love for Queen's Law, and here I am now" added Associate Dean Cockfield, pointing out the role of Orientation in fostering not only friendships but the allegiance formed between students and the school itself.

Fond memories have already been burned into the minds of a new batch of Queen's Law students with no doubt numerous more to come over their next three years at the school. Many of the shared moments from Orientation will blossom into friendships that will carry forward throughout the careers and lives of the future Queen's Law graduates. Bolohan warmly agreed, "Orientation helped me to meet my fellow classmates in an informal and laid back setting, and to forge friendships that I know will last a lifetime."