<p>It seems that most grad students get their social life by already having a bf/gf, hanging out with other students in their department or hanging out with their research group. I don't have a gf and haven't joined a research group yet. </p>
<p>I've attended a few meetings for the clubs on campus, but I usually get very self-conscious because I'm usually the only grad student there and I don't want people to think I'm some old geezer. I'm 24 and when I tell them my age, they always seem very surprised (probably because I come across as socially awkward and thus have WORSE social skills than undergrads, but perhaps I just have a baby face?). Am I just being overly self-conscious?</p>
<p>I was also thinking of joining an IM sports team, but I don't really know how that works since I never joined one as an undergrad. Would I be the only grad student there? If I don't have any friends that want to join me, then can I just join an existing team? I'm fairly good at sports as I play pick-up basketball at the gym a few times per week</p>
<p>It depends on the culture of your university. Here, graduate students do tend to join <em>some</em> groups along with the undergrads - we’re pretty well-represented in the orchestra, in intramural sports, and community outreach organizations; you can see us in the gym, too. But there are usually social orgs for graduate students within those schools, so you won’t see as at undergrad social groups. It’s not about age - I’m not that much older than the undergrads, and neither are you. It’s about developmental stages. We’re just at a different stage than they are.</p>
<p>Most of the friends I came in with have graduated (I was the only PhD student in a group of MPH student friends) and I don’t hang out with the people in my research group because they talk about work too much. Instead, I joined graduate student groups on campus (Black & Latino Student Caucus, Women In Science at <em>University</em>, etc.) and I also got a GA position through which I have met lots of my friends. Given that you live a medium-sized to large city, you can also join community groups that are targeted at young professionals. Take a language class, or join a gym, or play on a social sports team, or learn calligraphy or something.</p>
<p>Do you <em>have</em> to tell them your actual age? Just say that you’re in your early-mid 20s or something? Or something else that’s sort of vague that might satisfy them?</p>
<p>Aren’t we all sort of getting to the point where it’s rude to ask for someone’s age, anyways? (and very understandably so?)</p>
<p>By the way, there are undergrads in their late 20s at my school, and they get along just fine hanging out with the younger undergrads. Hell, even the early entrance students who stay for 6-7 years here still hang out with the 16-17 year old early entrance students (and yes, one relationship with a 4-year age gap actually did form) and no one even cares.</p>
<p>Perhaps it’s a bit rude to ask age (more so with females). Actual age of the people you hang out with seems to make much less difference past 22 or so. Still, giving a vague answer about your age, at least as a guy, seems to be like indicating that you’ve pushed 30 or soon will. :)</p>
<p>well when I first met them and they asked me my age, I didn’t know how else to respond other than to tell them that I’m 24. It’s not like I wanted to tell them my actual age</p>
<p>Why not answer evasively? The later undergrad years get to the point that it is considered rude to ask for someone’s age, so they probably will understand.</p>
<p>Okay, I guess it might make some people trust you less, but whatever - if they trust you less because you’re hiding your real age, then it’s unlikely that they’ll trust you that much if you’re honest about your real age.</p>
<p>I dont see the problem with it. I know a few undergrad students who are way older than me (23-25 years old) and there are a decent number of undergraduate students who are pretty old. I dont think your age should make a huge difference, and even then, you are pretty much close in age to a lot of the more “mature” undergrads (meaning juniors and seniors).</p>
<p>As an undergraduate I have no problem hanging out with graduate students, and as a prospective graduate student I expect a few of my friends to be undergrads. </p>
<p>I agree with everyone else, it depends on the culture of your University, but that doesn’t have to limit you. Hang out with people who make you happy! Join a mix of clubs and organizations, personally, I’m looking into GSA because I have a friend who really enjoys it.</p>
<p>Also, IM it definitely the way to go if you want to meet people, good luck and have fun!</p>
<p>Although I’m in my mid-20s, I can definitely sense the age difference when I work with traditional-age (18-22) undergraduates in my graduate program. Once you leave college, your priorities change (i.e., establishing a career, becoming self-sufficient, getting married, etc.).</p>