Thousands of first-years are told at opening: failure is not failure, but personal growth

Eurekaweek kicked off on Monday morning at Ahoy with an opening full of old and new traditions. Nervous first-year students, the Rotterdam song, and the message that help is available if the academic pressure becomes too much.

After navigating through a bicycle traffic jam filled with shiny new Swapfiets bikes, rickety old-fashioned bikes, and rented electric ones, the first-years and their guides arrived at Ahoy. Some still felt the need to double-check the route, cycling with their phones in hand – an expensive risk when passing by the police. Outside the entrance, homemade sandwiches were quickly eaten as they were not allowed inside. In hindsight, the rush wasn’t necessary at all. Entry was permitted from 8.30 am, while the official opening was scheduled for 10.00 am. However, technical difficulties caused about a half hour delay.

Welcome and wellbeing

During the opening, much attention was given to the wellbeing of the first-year students. The theme was reiterated in speeches by rector magnificus Annelien Bredenoord, alderman Faouzi Achbar, and Eurekaweek chairwoman Candice Molenaar.

“You’re going to learn what works for you”, Bredenoord told the 5,000 people in the audience. “What works for each person varies, and that’s okay.” She encouraged students to experiment with what suits them. This journey may involve challenges such as ‘failure’, ‘performance pressure’, ‘doubt’, and ‘perfectionism’. If you get stuck, the university offers support, the rector emphasised. “Don’t see it as failure, but as personal growth. In the coming years, you’ll learn more than just what earns you a diploma – although that diploma is, of course, very important.”

Tackling the bear

Many of the university’s associations were given a moment in the spotlight by the presenters. They were quickly listed in various categories such as ‘arts and culture’ and study associations. The five social clubs were allowed to briefly wave hello on stage. The sports associations made their entrance by running, throwing, diving and – in the case of the rugby club, as is tradition – tackling. Most items stayed neatly on the stage, but the squash club sent their balls flying into the audience.

No Eurekaweek can begin without a rendition of the Rotterdam song by the Hermes House Band. The band remains popular among students, staff, and guests alike. The lyrics were displayed in English on the screen, which was fortunate for the international students as this time, the video kept working properly. However, this wasn’t the case during one of the speeches, when an incoming call for the technician appeared on the giant screen behind the stage.

As people left after the closing, the band Funk U continued to play energetically. The last few waiting students were entertained with live music. The energy they absorbed would be useful for the bike ride to the next location: lunch at Binnenrotte.