If you’re a newly-minted college student moving into a dorm for the first time this fall, you and your new floormates will almost surely be forced to partake in the awkward icebreaking meeting where everyone is supposed to meet one another and make new friends. I’m fairly certain whoever coined the term “icebreaker” was some college student in Alaska sitting out on a frozen lake with his fellow freshmen, wishing he could send his RA plummeting into the freezing water below. However it came about, everybody eventually grows to hate these largely-pointless exercises. Besides, everyone forgets everyone’s name and what everyone said as soon as it’s over anyway.
The hardest part of the icebreaker is thinking of a witty, memorable response while under the gaze of dozens of strangers. So grab a pen and some paper, and work out some clever answers for these worst-of-the-worst icebreakers. Click through to see.
10.) Your name, what one-horse town you’re from, and your soon-to-be-changed major
Ok, this one isn’t so bad, but for the sake of everyone in the room, please don’t say your town is the most boring town in the world. Everybody’s town is the most boring town in the world, so you can take that as a given. Also, make sure to specify what name you prefer to go by. Nothing’s more awkward than having to correct someone after living with them for a few weeks.
9.) The most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done
In what other situations do you get asked this question after meeting someone for the first time? Plus no one really says their actual most embarrassing moment anyway.
8.) The most interesting place you’ve been
So you’ve been to the Coliseum. Or Stonehenge. Or some place no one’s ever heard of. Excellent. Next!
7.) Sex in the Dark
This one happens after a few weeks into the school year in co-ed dorms, where the girls from one floor and the guys from another get together in one of the common rooms. The lights are turned off so no one can see each other, and the RAs in charge yell out questions for you to discuss with your (ahem) partner. Usually it’s a good thing the lights aren’t on. Someone may have met their future spouse playing this game, but I doubt it.
6.) “What would you do if…”
Everyone’s in a big happy circle with a slip of paper and a pencil. Each person writes down a question beginning with “What would you do if…” and asks their question of the person next to them, writing down his or her answer. Then the papers are traded so you now have a different question with an unrelated answer. Hilarity ensues as mix-matched questions and answers are read around the circle.
5.) Stupid Skittles/toilet paper thing
Either you’re going to a desert island and take whatever amount of toilet paper you need from a roll being passed around, or you just take some Skittles from a bag. For each square or Skittle you have to reveal one thing about yourself. (Hint: eat the Skittles)
4.) Two truths and a lie
You say three facts about yourself, one of which is a lie. Everyone guesses which is which. Hooray!
3.) The “Ask the person next to you all these questions and then tell us all about your new friend!”
Self explanatory.
2.) Never have I ever
A staple of icebreakers and drinking games the world over. You announce a thing you’ve never done – say, wrestled two chimps to the ground while singing the National Anthem – and whoever has wrestled two chimps to the ground while singing the National Anthem raises their hand or takes a sip or something.
1.) Awkward group dinner
The worst. Usually on the first night your talkative, energetic RA who’s beginning to wear on you tries to corral the whole floor into going to dinner together. Dining hall food is bad enough without 40 strangers being compelled to interact with each other when they would much rather be back in the room playing Halo.
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The coolest Icebreaker activities use Thumball, the ball that gets everybody talking. Twenty unique designs serve every age group and our college fans are growing, Meet&Greet, Emotion Mania, Move Your Body and the classic Icebreaker are favorite Thumball designs on campus. This is a shameless plug full of pride by the inventor herself but I assure you…..try Thumball and you will love it too. Toss one today and catch a conversation.
That’s an interesting game, Mary – far better than the ones I’ve played. Thanks for the suggestion!
Fill up a questionare with few questions.
eg. the person who has two sisters?
The person likes red color.
This will help as a great ice breaker