<p>I used to be your typical teenager--staying up until the wee hours of the morning, not waking up until noon. But in the past couple of years, I've become less of a night owl and more of a morning person. It started when I got a puppy--he woke up all the time at 5 or 6am, so I had to get up with him.</p>
<p>The typical lifestyle at college is not very healthy--fatty foods, copious drinking and drugs, staying up late, partying etc. But I feel like I am the opposite. I am very conscious of my health. I am vegan, I don't drink or do drugs, and I like to go to sleep early and wake up early. I usually wake up and go running in the morning. Midnight is late for me, to be honest. I <em>do not</em> look down on people that do party, drink, etc., and I want to make that clear. It is just not something I care to be a part of.</p>
<p>But, I feel like my social life may suffer because of my lifestyle. I would rather hang out and watch movies than get drunk at parties. Also, because I am a morning person, it means I am usually asleep when most others (especially on the weekends) are awake, and awake when others are still sleeping.</p>
<p>Am I going to be hard-pressed when finding others like me at college? Because, almost three weeks in, I feel sort of like an outcast. Has anyone else ever been in my situation? I feel like I have the mind of a working adult, not a young college student. How should I go about finding others like me?</p>
<p>No, you’re not. You will find others as long as you don’t have the attitude of “everything you do is unhealthy”. You say you don’t look down on people, but that’s how it comes across.</p>
<p>There are all different types of people in college. Your situation really isn’t as unique or special as you make it seem. I know many people who are like that and have rich social lives. As long as you are actively seeking out friends, rather than waiting for something to happen to you, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I really don’t want it to sound like I look down on other people that drink, party, etc., because I don’t. To each his own. I just want to find people more like me.</p>
<p>The central issue I’m seeing here is the drinking. I think there is a common misconception that if you don’t drink, your college life will suck.
Let me tell you why that’s BS.
1.) Most freshman are about 18 right? (in a regular typical college). None of them should even be drinking until 3 years later.
2.)Not everyone wants to drink. There is suppose to be a rising number (just something I heard) of college student NOT doing drugs or drinking. Unless you go to a certified party school there will be a large number of people that won’t do any drugs. </p>
<p>Vegan?
People will understand that. As long as you don’t frown on people eating meat/byproduct you’re good. Unless of course they’re eating a BBQed baby back ribs in front of your face- that’s would be kinda rude if I was a vegan.</p>
<p>Early Riser?
I know many people on my campus get up in the morning (some of which actually sleep late like 1am). Mainly they’re the one that work out or just want two hours before morning class (7:30am).</p>
<p>Some of it might be your housing situation. Substance free housing, some kind of special interest housing, or co-ops (if they have them on your campus) might suit you better. You may find more students like yourself in those environments. Too late for this semester, but you could look into moving next semester or next year into one of those types of housing. Also, if you are in an all freshman dorm (some schools mix ages, some don’t), that can be a particularly toxic environment. I still shudder at the thought of mine many years later… it was something to be endured. Drunk fire alarm pulls at 2 am in the winter were the worst…</p>
<p>I guess getting out around campus to coffee shops, study areas, the gym etc. early in the morning might bring you into the path of other early risers. It can be a little intimidating to strike up a conversation there, but worth a try. Or see if there is a running group on campus, they might meet early and you could meet some people.</p>
<p>It does sound to me like you are more mature than a lot of other college students, especially freshman. Some of them will catch up with you over the next couple of years. :)</p>
<p>You are supposed to get up early but then you can sleep like 2 or 3 times random. So you don’t need to just sleep at nite cause your parents say so like you are supposed to in hs.</p>
<p>You sound just like my son. What he does is gets up at 6:00 AM and goes to the gym and works out before his 8:00 am class. Why don’t you find out what is going on at your school at that time of day - early breakfast, early coffee shop, the gym, and go and see who is there and you will find others with a similar body clock to you.</p>
<p>His freshman year roommate was just the opposite. Stayed out until all hours, and needed the TV to sleep. My son coped by getting earplugs and an eye mask. Eventually they parted ways.</p>
<p>My daughter is the hanging in group with friends watching movies type, but I do know she went to parties too. There will be people who hang out in small groups. The issue will be going to bed so much earlier than most, as far as I can see. I know she studied until 12 or one and that seemed very normal to the other students I met. I’d say to try to connect with those you see out and about in the mornings. You will meet people one by one.</p>
<p>Oh my daughter did not enjoy being in sub-free dorm the first year and was very happy to move on from that. That was just a whole group of people she didn’t click with, so don’t assume that just because you have that in common…</p>
<p>You are so much like my DD. Other than the getting up early part - I’ve never seen anyone able to sleep more than she does. She does not like to party at all. She is a quiet person who loves watching movies rather than going out. She has a group of friends who all like the same things. They have movie marathons together. Some days are baking days and they cook together. The also like coloring - says it relieves stress - her favorite gift this year was a 64 box of crayons - go figure. She is a junior and not what I consider typical. But, she is happy so I guess that is the point. Just try to find other with like habits - when you are up that early is there anyone else up that early?</p>
<p>I know tons of people that don’t drink/get up early. They all have active, fulfilling social lives. Most of them hang out in the gym early in the morning to get an early start to their day. Maybe try meeting people that way?</p>
<p>I’m a complete early bird, usually waking up on my own between 5:30 and 6 and having a lot of trouble sleeping past 7. I also don’t drink or party. I’ve made plenty of friends despite this.</p>
<p>Regarding not drinking: So long as you’re not condescending towards those that do drink, the vast majority of people don’t care. Those that do aren’t people you’ll want to be hanging out with to begin with.
One tip while you’re in the dorms: On weekend nights when you’re staying in, go around your floor and see who else is in. Those are usually the people who don’t party, at least. Most that I met that way either don’t drink or rarely drink on top of that, but that varies. Most people staying in fall under one of a few categories: They’re studying or finishing an assignment; they’re open to doing something (such as watching movies) if you invite them; or, they’re doing something (again, such as watching movies) and wouldn’t mind company.</p>
<p>Vegan: Again, so long as you’re not condescending towards those that aren’t, most people don’t care.</p>
<p>Being a morning person: From what I’ve noticed, just the fact that I’m up and about earlier means I tend to run into people with similar sleep schedules. This isn’t always the case, but when you’re heading to the dining hall at 8am on a Saturday and see the same (fairly small) bunch of people going at the same time most weekends, you tend to start talking with them.</p>
<p>Well, you cant just stereotype the college students. And even if students enjoy junk food and all, that’s nothing new. Your social life will suffer if you hang around with people like those which you have stereotyped. There are many others like you and you’re no exception.</p>