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Third-year psychology and art history student Sonya Sobko and fourth-year neuroscience student Sa

They had plenty of sweets and caffeine, but for now the three girls were busy racing down Bruin Walk in their sleeping bags to keep awake. After all, it’s not easy staying up all night so their group can have a table on Bruin Walk the next day.

“We might as well make a night out of it,” said Sonya Sobko, a member of Unicamp Mentorship.

She compared the experience to a road trip and half-jokingly added that it is a good opportunity for “forced bonding” between group members.

Sobko, along two friends who are also in the same group, had been on the concrete pathway through the center of campus since 1:30 a.m. and their spirits were high. Their only worry seemed to be awaking those sleeping at neighboring tables with their laughter.

At a little past 4 a.m. on Monday, Bruin Walk has a different look than many students would recognize.

Though every single table is taken, there are no fliers being passed out and most of the students at the tables are trying to get some shut-eye. To replace the familiar madness, there is a tent set up by a couple students in front of Kerckhoff Hall and sleeping bags laid out along the usually busy path.

Camping out on Bruin Walk has not always been the norm. Some upperclassmen explained that in order for them to get a table, they have had to come out earlier and earlier each year.

To get what is considered the prime spots – the tables on the Kerckhoff side that are in the shade in the afternoon – students begin camping out as early as midnight.

The first week of the school year is known to be the busiest in terms of student group recruitment, encouraging group leaders to come out in the early morning hours to secure a good spot on Bruin Walk.

Those spending their night at the tables admit that the majority of their members are not recruited on Bruin Walk, but fliering and having a presence in that location is important, since there is no other place for groups to be visible on campus.

“We are here to get our name out. ... People hear about us, and we want to be here for people who are looking,” said Karen Yuan, a fourth-year student leader with Bread of Life Church.

On Friday morning, before 5 a.m., Yuan said they might resort to bringing their own table on Monday. For now, they had to settle for a spot next to the steps on top of Bruin Walk.

For many groups, the early hours on Bruin Walk are necessary, as most organizations only recruit for one week, said Alfonso Duenas, president of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service fraternity.

Duenas was glad to have gotten a table. He came to campus at 3 a.m., straight from his job at the Rieber Hall front desk.

For him, sleeping is not on the night’s agenda. He is planning to study for a test tomorrow and will be fliering in the morning.

“It’s the first night of the first quarter, and I’m already pulling an all-nighter,” Duenas said. “You’ve got to lead by example and make sacrifices.”