<p>I'm a freshman girl and as the semester is coming to a close I've realized that I still haven't established a solid group of friends. I'm naturally quite shy so that part of my nature definitely hasn't helped - neither has the fact that I could have joined more clubs/extracurricular activities. (I do plan on getting more involved next semester, however.) Ever since Welcome Week, during which I arrived late, I've felt pretty detached. Although I have made friends that I do hang out with from time to time, I still feel as if something is missing. I'm a perfectly likable, fun-loving person (like I said, I do have friends that I interact with) but I haven't connected with any group of people on a deeper level.</p>
<p>I just wanted to see if there was anyone else out there who is feeling the same way. PM me or post here if you'd like to share your thoughts.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure a lot of people feel this way at times; i know some people that went greek just because of it. From personal experience, I’ve noticed that joining student orgs, especially very active ones, helps a lot, so definitely get more involved. People might not be as close in college, but you have to realize that if you want to create deeper connections, you have to put in extra effort. USC is an extremely large school, and with so many people around its easy to feel lost… just put in the effort, try to hang out with people more, and like I said before, get more involved.</p>
<p>Groups/clubs/etc do help, particularly ones that aren’t just meetings and discussion, but actually go out and do things together. I can’t honestly say that just getting more involved will lead you to what you’re looking for though. Definitely be proactive though, initiate things instead of just waiting for them to happen.</p>
<p>I’ve been here for two and a half years and sometimes I feel like you do too. I know just talking about it does help, so let me know if you would like a sympathetic ear.</p>
<p>Thanks! I feel that another one of my issues may be the fact that I’m too introverted to take risks and initiate things. I’ve always been the type of person to wait until people ask ME to do things first.</p>
<p>Tell me - in sophomore year, are there living situations that might allow me to meet new people? Or is what everyone says pretty much true - that all sophomores already have their own group of friends and probably aren’t as willing to meet new people?</p>
<p>It’s pretty true in my experience. I only interacted with one other apartment in my apartment complex my sophomore year, and not terribly much. I wouldn’t say that sophomores aren’t willing to meet new people though, it’s just that you don’t get the atmosphere of dorms. More privacy, less forced interaction.</p>
<p>I’ve managed to meet at least several dozen CC users so far this semester. Many of us continue to hang out on a regular basis but I feel as if instead of forming one core circle of friends, I have several looser groups that I tend to socialize with. I transferred in as a junior as well. As others have mentioned, clubs are great places to meet people. I’ve managed to meet a lot of people here at gateway since everyone here is social but I imagine it can be more difficult depending on where you live.</p>
<p>May I suggest joining one of the active community service organizations? When you are helping people in need it does put things into perspective. In the group there should be students/leaders who are not just focused on themselves.</p>
<p>You might wish to find a group which assists children. This could be a rewarding experience and the student members might have the kind of personality which would welcome new frienships. </p>
<p>In the next semester spring admits will be coming to campus. These students will be brand new and might welcome a friendly “helping hand”.</p>
<p>The time right before finals is emotionally challenging for almost everyone. You are not alone. If you feel deeply troubled contact one of SC’s counseling centers. They are there to help YOU.</p>
<p>try joining a community-service oriented group like APO
[Alpha</a> Phi Omega - AK - Home Page](<a href=“HugeDomains.com”>http://www.apousc.com/)</p>
<p>yeah, i suggest joining APO. i rushed APO the semester i transferred to USC and everyone was really friendly! the requirements aren’t too time consuming and the events are pretty fun. if you have any questions about it, feel free to ask or message them to me. </p>
<p>yeah, that’s how i formed my group of friends. i lived at Founders (close to the row and like 4 blocks from campus) for the first 3 weeks of school and i was pretty lonely until my friend from UCLA told me about APO. i decided to rush it and i had a lot of fun throughout the semester. there are plenty of fellowship events so it’s not all community service. you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet people and form close friendships. i hope to see you next semester!</p>
<p>I feel the same way, and its getting increasingly difficult! I always wait for others to talk, and that doesnt happen to often. Everyone here already knows each other, and im from out of state so I know absolutely nobody :(</p>
<p>@Oblina27 - What activities are you involved with outside of class? Have you joined any clubs or student orgs of any sort? have you met anyone from cc in person? I swear I’ve met at least 20 or so people who came to usc using cc as their guide :)</p>
<p>I’m a little worried about this as well (prospective applicant).</p>
<p>I’m from the midwest and I’m pretty sure I’m the only one applying to USC this year. A few years ago a couple kids applied, both rejected and last year, a senior actually got in, but went to school in Texas. So I’ll be like the 4th applicant in my school’s history lol (according to Navience). </p>
<p>Family wise, I’ve got a cousin living in SF, and another outside of LA. I’m not very close at all to those cousins. I have an aunt that I am very close with that lives in Tucson, but haha, Tuscon is probably at least 8 hours from LA. </p>
<p>So I’d be making the jump, sink or swim by myself. And honestly this is thrilling for the most part, however part of me is scared sheetless by the prospect of being so isolated and far away from my family. This is gonna factor into my decision if I’m accepted into SC, but a lot will depend on my aid package too haha. </p>
<p>It’ll will be nice to start fresh and really start a life of my own, but I really have no safety net. </p>
<p>I’m definitely going to be friendly, join a lot of clubs and stick with the ones that interest me the most/are the most fun, and I’d like to go Greek. </p>
<p>I guess it could be worse, I could be an international with no family in the U.S., so at least I have that.</p>
<p>wildandyoung: don’t worry about it, I know SO many people (including myself) who went into USC knowing not one person, and now absolutely love it/have a great group of friends. USC is a very social place, and you will more likely than not have a blast</p>
<p>OP, I’m so sorry about your situation, as I was in the same one at my last school (I’m a sophomore transfer). I agree with all previous advice, but I want to add another option: rush for a sorority next year! I’m obviously biased, but it’s probably one of the best ways to get to know people (even if you don’t join, I met so many girls in my rush group). I’d probably be in the same boat as you if it weren’t for my sorority because I was pretty shy too. Now I feel so much more comfortable approaching people and talking to strangers. And if you’re worried about the stigma that sororities have, I can tell you they’re not true (for most :)).</p>
<p>Couldn’t agree more @sclove! Rushing, being in a fraternity/sorority is like having an entirely different USC experience … without being greek I don’t know what I’d do</p>