Journalist: Kameron Sanders (TCC)
What is it about first days that leave people so worried? One thing I hear and see from
first year delegates is that they are nervous or worried about session. Aside from the worry of
making a first impression, I believe that there is a level of anxiety and nervousness that follows
most, if not all, new delegates when they come to session. I hope to present you with two reasons
why new delegates may feel nervous and how we can help.
The easiest answer is that new delegates are worried about meeting new people. No
matter the event, there is always a worry to make a good first impression. During my first
minutes of session, I worried about who I should approach and what kind of impression I should
make. I believe that we should remove the thought of impression and focus on finding
similarities. The most valuable part of session is meeting friends and strengthening one’s
network.
Another reasons why first year delegates are nervous is because they are not comfortable
with the procedures. New delegates typically do not have the procedural experience of
presenting, motioning, or amending a bill. I believe that most new delegates worry they will be
called out for their mistake. When preparing for session, I had trouble keeping up with all the
proper terms and procedures. I personally worried about being called out and hoped that my
delegation would practice more often.
If we look at the two reasons I presented, we can agree that most delegates focus on the
potential negativity at session. A potential solution to the first problem is approaching new
delegates and engaging with them. This can elevate the worry of meeting new people and the
thought of leaving a first impression. Another potential solution is to create a time for delegates
to talk, meet, and find the similarities that lead to the connections many people talk about during
session. For the second reason, a potential solution is to create a day to help delegates be more comfortable and confident with the procedure. This is possible with events such as informational and example bills.