They will help anyone!

Many universities have people like curators. Most often, they are teachers or other employees. But in some higher education institutions, the place of curators is occupied by senior students. Our ITMO University was no exception either. Such people are called adapters.

Let’s start by dealing with who he is and what he does. This is a senior student who gets a group of freshmen. His responsibilities include answering any questions, even the stupidest. He should also help the guys become a whole team. After all, they have a common goal, difficulties and successes. If they will be together in four years, it will be so beautiful. They have each other, and that’s happiness.

Anyone can try it. Adapters School opens its doors to all undergraduate students every spring. For this purpose, an advertising campaign is held: posters, posts in ITMO.STUDENTS, video invitations in the dining room. This way students can find out when school starts and how to learn more about it at all.

The opening action, 2021. Credit: https://vk.com/photo-70077017_457245467

The opening action is the first to take place. The guys-organisers are standing at the counter, giving everyone the tasks/questions to which they have to find an answer. And then everyone swaps places! And the guys are already asking questions, and the organisers are answering. They can be about anything! It’s not for nothing that they call themselves adapters :)

What happens after? A series of tea parties begin. And that’s literally the word. Adapter Club organisers meet the guys over a cup of tea. Recognise their interests, listen to stories, find out motivation. They want to know who are the guys who will become future adapters.

And the biggest part of the events begins - the main block of training. Each adapter needs to understand that he will have to speak to a large audience of freshmen. To do this, experienced guys-organisers arrange a class where they share their experience in public speaking and give advice. Of course, It can’t be without practice. That’s why future adapters perform each other and do different exercises. Of course, everyone should be able to work in a team, and in particular — get along with their teammate. That’s why there’s traditionally partner training. You need to start with something small: if you can make contact with one person, it will be easier for you to join the team.

But the most important part of the training is Igrotechnics. Why is it needed? At the first meeting with freshmen, the adapter must conduct a training session. He communicates with the guys, talks about himself and tells them how to find him. And then he conducts various games that will help the guys recognise each other, memorise names, and find common interests. After all, they have a very long student life together — four years. At the same meeting, the adapter must play a special game: to identify the leader. It will help the guys (or at least the adapter) figure out who can be the group’s admin. This position is hard because there is a lot of responsibility on a person, so not everyone can deal with it. In the beginning, of course, those who wish must be called. And then the adapter can hint. But he should by no means impose his opinion and don’t insist on his own! The guys have to make their own decision because they will interact with the admin.

The organisers teach people how to play games, give a certain base of games. They advise on how best to do it, what to pay attention to, how to occupy freshmen in their free time. And so the games are divided into three categories by functions: familiarity, team building and leadership. The first type of game allows the guys to recognise each other’s names, create associations, and know some other facts. It is important to understand the period of time the training is conducted. After all, you need to put the right emphasis: either on acquaintance (literally the first meetings) or on team building (when the week of study has gone). The second type of game helps the guys become a team, rally, find common interests and create a team spirit.

[embed]Выезд 2020. День 1 - Video | VK Edit descriptionvk.com

And the most interesting and heartfelt thing: two departures to Yagodnoe. Something incredible is happening there. It’s 5 days of boundless happiness, love and fun. There are exercises in the morning, an evening disco, lectures, and quests. And most importantly, there are many, many cool people around. Just everything a man needs for happiness. Once you’ve been there one day, you’ll realise that the Adapter Club is forever in your heart.

[embed]Выезд 2020. День 2 - Video | VK Edit descriptionvk.com

You will get equally warm emotions when you meet your group of freshmen. Which will still be so young, with a lot of questions. And you will be their superhero, who will answer any question and help them cope with all the difficulties.

I’ve been an adapter for two years now, and I’ve been an organiser for two more academic years. And what’s happening here is the best thing that can happen to a student. I love people, my freshmen and the atmosphere.