Orientation 2009 is over for the year.
And the response? For some it means the hard slog of university can no longer be ignored. For others, the sigh of relief is almost audible.
From those I interviewed, there is a mixed view of Orientation Week. The general consensus about the fortnight (it really should be called 'O-Fortnight') was reasonably light-hearted - "a good chance for fun", mused Phoebe Heenan (18), of Dunedin.
OUSA made a fantastic effort to accommodate the interests of the entire student psyche.
Having such a variety of things going on - free events, daredevil events, city guides, competitions - does help to create a better sense of campus community.
The social aspect seems to be the main focus of 'O-Week', at least for those in residential halls. Through the dreaded initiations and other events, friendships are struck and bonds created very, very quickly.
Maybe it means you've got someone to cry with afterwards.
People not in residential halls also practise plenty of networking, but those I talked to carried a slightly more jaded perspective about meeting lots of people in a short space of time at parties and other social events.
"It's not always the best pretence to meet people under," Commerce student Tina Tasananukorn (19) said.
According to Student Health, 'O-Week' and the several weeks after serve as the busiest time of the year, students flocking to test for STIs and pregnancies.
Not the best start to the year.
Often the excuse of 'letting loose before knuckling down' is echoed throughout O-Week.
In some cases people can put down their crate and pick up their textbooks, but for others O-Week simply sets the standard to live by for the rest of the year.
They seemed hellbent on destroying Dunedin. And most of its credibility and responsibility as NZ's student capital.
I feel sorry for whoever has them for neighbours.
Orientation Week does have some very important aspects, especially for those coming from outside Dunedin. Impromptu tours by other students are probably the best tour of the city newcomers will ever get.
Networking, getting to know Dunedin and maybe being a bit silly along the way is, for the most part, entirely acceptable.
As much as some hate O-Week, it is a seemingly necessary part of student life. If it was abolished, people would find some way of celebrating the end of summer/start of university, regardless.
At least because it is an official event most of what goes on can be monitored, and people can take more responsibility, while still having a time to remember.