<p>1st semester was kinda bleh. 2nd semester comes around, I want a new start to make things awesome or at least better than 1st semester. But def not feelin it so far. It's the weekend and I'm still thinking I have the same lame old friends as last semester (friends of convenience...really don't like them enough to think it'll ever get any better). Classes are alright but they can only bring you so much happiness. At least there's not much work now but once it starts piling in, if I don't find ways to make it better at least some of the time, I think I'm going to waste away here...</p>
<p>So, anyone have stories of "and then one day college suddenly got better" or "I decided to take action and this is what I did:" or should I just whine some more to myself...</p>
<p>umm...be proactive and go find friends you like, get off internet forums (maybe get off the computer, TV and video games for the rest of the weekend, at least), stop wasting time, find something you're passionate about, and change to a major you actually enjoy (instead of one you think will make you a millionaire some day...if that's what you've been doing)</p>
<p>basically, "bleh" occurs when you have no purpose, so give yourself purpose; DO something. Sitting around and whining will only make it worse. There is no "magic bullet." YOU have to do the work of finding friends that are beyond "friends of convenience" (and, honestly, if that's how you treat your friends -- as just a form of convenient entertainment -- then I can see why you don't have many friends... that's a horrible way to think of other people).</p>
<p>Anyway...done with my rant...why are you still reading?! You should already left your room and found a hobby or new passion by now!</p>
<p>Isn't it rush? Go to all the rush events. They're a lot of fun and a great way to meet people. If you end up liking a lot of the brothers and other rushers at a frat, go pledge. Then you'll have an organization to be active with and life long friends.</p>
<p>I feel the exact same way and maybe I should've rushed something because right now I feel so out of place a UMich....like to the point where I'm getting easily irritated because I have friends of convenience and not choice...and I don't feel like talking to people. All that diversity crap and I get here and people just hang with their own type and have similar tastes......man....I'm on the verge of going back to east coast and I'll know why less than 70% of African-Americans stay and graduate at UMich...</p>
<p>Yeah I kinda felt the same way at the end of the first semester so I did some stuff about it. I started rushing a national co-ed frat and i've met a bunch of people. I've planned some trips with my college friends, as well as spring break to visit my friends from home. Asked some cool people in my last semester classes if they wanted to get lunch or something. I'm also taking a photography class this semester which is challenging, but a completely new experience and skill. In general this semester I've spent less time in my room, more talking to my friends on the floor. I've introduced myself to more people...and in return I feel like I know a bunch more people even after less then a month into the new semester. More studying this semester as well...gotta bring up that gpa. there are also really cool events on college campuses...i've seen respected photojournalists speak, basketball games, there's been some good live music in the area, good parties, career panels on the topics that interest me...a whole bunch of people from the daily show are coming in february and doing a bunch of conferences/performance type things...definitely going to check that out...</p>
<p>I have no idea if this helps...just try to get out there and do stuff. It sounds unbelievably cheesy, but it really makes all the difference.</p>
<p>and your right. It's easier if you're willing to humiliate yourself because thats what it takes. Take a risk and talk; not about you, but about them. People like to talk about themselves rather than hear about you. It's the sad truth.</p>
<p>That's too bad darvit, I'm totally "feelin" 2nd semester. I joined a club and I'm taking 14 credits rather than the 9 I ended up with last semester. I'm not saying up having the best time of my life but it's an experience.</p>
<p>I agree with those that said to get out and experience all you can. You and only you can take responsibility for the situation you are in. If you don't like it then it's time to take charge and make changes. Go with your interests...if you like music, join the radio station, if you want to help the environment then join a club of that sort and so on. Get involved on campus...force yourself. It is the best way to meet people and keep busy. Volunteer organizations are good too...most schools have Habitat for Humanity or other volunteer organizations. The happiest kids are out there getting involved.</p>
<p>to the OP ... my freshman fall was pretty bad (my lack of social skills and shyness) ... my freshman spring was pretty good as I made some OK friends and got fairly active socially. Then starting my sophmore year college really took off for me ... partially because of my increased social skills but also because this is when I met my best friends from college (this timing was just coincidence)</p>
<p>Ok guys...I posted this 2 weeks ago, it got better, just that first weekend I was feelin a little down. I think I'm either a slow adjuster or a hit or miss type of person...and college started out as a miss but I usually get into the groove of things eventually.</p>
<p>"to the OP ... my freshman fall was pretty bad (my lack of social skills and shyness) ... my freshman spring was pretty good as I made some OK friends and got fairly active socially. Then starting my sophmore year college really took off for me ... partially because of my increased social skills but also because this is when I met my best friends from college (this timing was just coincidence)"</p>
<p>where did you meet those friends at? how did you get socially active? i'm asking because i also lack social skills and am shy and nerdy</p>
<p>Being a freshman is lonely. But, you know what? I made most of my college friends in the second term. The first term..I was too busy being shy and lonely but I really did decide to get to know others and talk to them. My realization was others are just as scared to strike up a conversation so if I don't do it..nobody's gonna start and we'll spend the rest of the year wishing we'd talked to the person sitting beside us. Atleast, that's how it was in ENGG but ENGG is quite a place where you just absolutely need to make friends since at my college, they threw us all in the same classes for the whole year. So, you always saw the same people in every single of your classes..And, as the class sizes got smaller (with people switching out and failing) we did get to know others very well..</p>
<p>The best place to meet people - computer labs (there's always people working on the same assignment...depending on the faculty), food line ups, dances and so on. Classes are important but having friends makes classes that much more fun I think!</p>