The Newbie Guide to Newbness
Zoki Phantom (Hufflepuff)
And here it is! The new term we have all been waiting for, has finally arrived! But now we get to the ultimate question, “What now???”
Usually those who have been around HOL for at least one term already know what to do since they have learned how things work. However, most of the new members, or newbies as they are usually referred, often have issues when it comes to finding their way around HOL.
But many newbies don’t realize how simple the answer to that ultimate question actually is. All you need to do to start is join new classes, sign up for the HOL Forum, and sign up for your own House’s Common Room.
Don’t frown immediately at the thought of registering for something! Classes are the main activity in HOL. They are the main source for earning House Points and getting the two required quills that you must have in order to pass the year. For all of those who signed up this winter term, you will have to pass (so not just sign up for them, you will also need to do enough work for the quills) at least two classes, so you can earn the required two quills.
On the other hand, you don’t get any points for being active on the HOL Forum, but it’s where all the discussions and some of the HOL contests take place. Also, some classes have their forums set up there. So all in all, it’s a place where you could learn many new things, hear the latest gossip and stay tuned up for the latest announcements, ask questions if you have any, and – most importantly – it’s a place where you can easily make new friends.
Your House’s Common Room is rather similar. It’s a forum where you don’t get points for being active, but it has other gains. For example, all house activities take place in the Common Rooms (such as Gryfftoberfest, Huffleween, Ravenclaw Pride Month, Green vs. Silver Team, etc.) and the only way you can participate is if you are signed up. Furthermore, many of the new HOL members dream of becoming Prefects one day – well it ain’t happening unless you are active in your Common Room.
It’s nothing scary really; you could actually have lots of fun with games, discussions, debates, role playing games, etc. There is something for everyone’s taste. Just in case you don’t like any of the current activities, you can always send over your ideas to the Prefects and who knows, maybe you will get your idea realized.
Those should always be your first steps; everything else comes in second place. But before I get the Quidditch captains chasing me I better mention Quidditch as well, eh? Yes, every House has its own Quidditch team and they all welcome new players throughout the whole year. If you are unsure what Quidditch is, there are explanations in the Handbook and the HOL Wiki, though if you actually want to join your House’s team or watch the team practice so you can see how the game is played, you should contact the captain or co-captain of your House’s Quidditch team.
There are also many clubs which you might be interested in. The most important is probably the First Friend Project where you get paired with an older HOLer who will help you find your way around HOL. Then you have the Pen Pal Club, the Book Club, etc. They’re almost as addictive as IRC – HOL’s other way of communication where you can find a lot of HOLers procrastinating their work by chatting among them.
I can’t forget to mention the Library and the Art Department where there is always a project or two each month and you earn points by sending your own entries. On top of that, each House has its own newspaper for which you can write articles that will earn you points once published. And in case you wonder what the big deal with the points is – they let you be a show off, they help your house win the House Cup, and they earn you beans which you can use as money to buy things in Hogsmeade.
There are many things you could learn about HOL, but everything goes bit by bit, everything has to start somewhere (classes, your house’s CR, and the main HOL Forum, as I stated earlier). Once you get the hang of it, you will discover even more of HOL’s wonders. You just need patience – patience is virtue.
P.S. And for those eager to learn EVEN MORE about HOL, you can always sign up for the orientation class, HOL 101.
