PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — Lanyard Colekta is a Freshman at Carnegie Mellon University who has no self-respect and loves icebreakers.
“I love saying my name, major, and a fun fact. Everyone in the room will definitely remember everything I say. I won’t pass awkwardly by someone I told this information to several months later and have them not recognize me at all,” said Colekta.
Quata Carde, another Freshman, is less supportive of icebreakers:
“I hate saying what I’m studying over and over again. I’m majoring in Geometry with a minor in Canada. People always follow up with, ‘history?’ no just Canada. It’s a field with a lot of career options in North America.”
We were able to talk to Jessia Castro, who is a college orientation leader and a leading expert on icebreakers.
Jessica wanted to emphasize the importance of the activity as a social lubricant in a group setting.
“Icebreakers, when properly applied, can be the starting point for a great friendship that can last the entirety of the college experience. But if it’s not done in a meaningful way, you’ll forget these people in days. But they’ll occasionally appear as nameless figures in dreams years later,” said Jessica.
Waldon Szreet is a Senior at Carnegie Mellon who appreciates the power of a good introduction.
“I had a group interview recently, and I thought a good icebreaker would be to give everyone some Ice Breakers candy. That was a very original idea. I totally secured that bag.”
However, Mr.Szreet received no communication post-interview. His friends have left him, and his father still hasn’t returned from getting milk at the local supermarket.
As Lanyard nears the end of his first year, the bright-eyed Freshman is hoping for an even better Sophomore year.
“I know a lot is going to change, but it’ll be for the better. But I know no matter what my freshman year roommate and I are going to be friends forever!”
