What’s up with “school spirit”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School you like = Their school pride is awesome! The alumni are so supportive. Parent so friendly!

School you hate = Their school pride is elitist! The alumni are full of themselves. Parents so over the top!

Haha! So true!

My DC goes to a school with a lot of school spirit. I've never seen some many people wearing their colors while in that town. The alumni network is very active and willing to help. We were on vacation out of the country this summer and when DH was wearing something that identified the school, he would always hear someone comment with a school-specific phrase. It's the opposite of where I went to college and I think it's pretty cool.

[Anonymous]

Just dropped off DC at an Ivy. Everyone goes around quietly, students don't make eye contact. Something tells me, not much of school spirit there. I don't know it's the school problem or the generation problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just dropped off DC at an Ivy. Everyone goes around quietly, students don't make eye contact. Something tells me, not much of school spirit there. I don't know it's the school problem or the generation problem.

Which one?

[Anonymous]

I went to the University of Florida in the 1980s.

Massive school spirit and this is way before our football team was good.

80 percent of the student body wore some sort of Gator apparel constantly. The intensity was incredible and it felt great to be a part of it. Everyone identified as a Gator and it just felt so inclusive.

The classes were hard work, but the atmosphere made it one of the best periods of my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:What exactly is school spirit?

Does Bama have better stronger school spirit than Columbia?

Does Columbia have any school spirit at all?

Columbia's alumni network is super strong though.
It seems two things got conflated.

It’s a joke to claim Columbia has a strong alumni network. People there have a loyalty to their tribe, not their school.

That's true. It's because NYC is a grind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just dropped off DC at an Ivy. Everyone goes around quietly, students don't make eye contact. Something tells me, not much of school spirit there. I don't know it's the school problem or the generation problem.

Which one?

UPenn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What exactly is school spirit?

Does Bama have better stronger school spirit than Columbia?

Does Columbia have any school spirit at all?

Columbia's alumni network is super strong though.
It seems two things got conflated.

It’s a joke to claim Columbia has a strong alumni network. People there have a loyalty to their tribe, not their school.

That's true. It's because NYC is a grind.

Yep. My kid turned down Columbia this year for a state school because it just seemed like a grind. No school spirit.
And it doesn't rate very high on alumni network or loyalty.

[Anonymous]

Having a sense of community is more fulfilling than being a striver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just dropped off DC at an Ivy. Everyone goes around quietly, students don't make eye contact. Something tells me, not much of school spirit there. I don't know it's the school problem or the generation problem.

My kid noticed at Swarthmote that kids were walking to and from class alone. Not in relaxed groups of happy friends.

[Anonymous]

Because where you spend the end of your childhood should not hinge on ROI.

YOLO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to the University of Florida in the 1980s.

Massive school spirit and this is way before our football team was good.

80 percent of the student body wore some sort of Gator apparel constantly. The intensity was incredible and it felt great to be a part of it. Everyone identified as a Gator and it just felt so inclusive.

The classes were hard work, but the atmosphere made it one of the best periods of my life.

Same and I went there in the 2000s. School pride was off the charts. We won a lot of basketball and football championships while I was there. Best 4 years!

Even in DC I have someone say “go gators” anytime I wear something that has a gator on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having a sense of community is more fulfilling than being a striver.

True, and beautifully said.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “school spirit”? Can anyone define it? Why did it disappear at some schools that used to have it? Why do some kids want it so much, even kids who have the stats for elite schools?

Whoever has witnessed the awe-inspiring majesty of a stampede of the Bucknell Bison would not think to ask such a silly question.

It’s time to get outside and touch the central Pennsylvania grass.

Or be there for an Auburn/Alabama game!

So much excitement, and the roar of a stadium--such school spirit!

[Anonymous]

Being a joiner is easier than living your own life with meaning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Being a joiner is easier than living your own life with meaning.

You suggest that those options are mutually exclusive. If you join the right group, they are not. And groups can accomplish much more than individuals.