<p>I'm gonna be a sophomore this fall at a fairly large public university. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here, and maybe it's because I just haven't found the right group of people in college yet, but over the summer, I've found myself really just dreaming and kinda excited to get started on a career and being self-sufficient and independent.</p>
<p>Everyone talks about how college is the best 4 years of your life. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but over the past year, I just haven't found a good group of friends that I really trust. The girl I got closest to got a boyfriend within the first few months and completely blew me off afterwards, and the other people I started hanging out with were nice but I guess we just don't really click very well. I'm just kinda bored at college, and I'm just kinda tired of feeling like I'm wasting my time here. I don't even really find college to be super fun or super exciting or anything, like most of my peers do-- in fact, I'd be pretty happy with just fast forwarding the next three years and getting started on an actual career. The idea of having a life in which I am independent, and self sufficient sounds so exciting. I know I'm probably romanticizing the future, and reality is often different from expectations, but I seriously can't help myself. I just want to be done with college already.</p>
<p>Does anyone else feel this way? Has anyone felt this way and grew out of it? Thoughts/comments? </p>
<p>The future is down the road… The day I won’t be a poor college student and people won’t criticize me for throwing away my food (I live with my family lol and I’ll have money later). </p>
<p>I graduate in 3 years and oh gosh I want to cling to those as long as I can. I get to have fun, meet new people, build relationships, continually learn about the subjects that really interest me. I do not have to work and I have plenty of time to make commitments and do things I like to do. There also is tons of exploration that I have yet to do~maybe I should take that one break after graduating to fit things in!</p>
<p>Do you have a job or internship or can you find one related to what you want to do in the future? That may help you feel like you’re doing something more productive than class all the time, and it would give you some experience that could help in the future.</p>
<p>In what ways are you not independent? If it’s financially, then working may help you feel a little more independent even if you’re not yet fully. You could also take more responsibility for your own expenses like your phone bill, food, groceries, etc.</p>
<p>If it’s just school that you’re tired of, all you can do is try to fill your time with things you enjoy more (clubs, work, hobbies, sports, etc) so it feels less dreary. If it’s that you don’t have a good group of friends yet, it’s much easier to meet people in college when compared to after college. And all of the ways you could meet people when you’re out of school, you could just as easily do while in college. Try to find ways where you are repeatedly in contact with the same people (living situation, work, rec class/intramural sport, club, etc), and make an effort to get to know them and spend more time with them.</p>
<p>“Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans.”</p>
<p>-John Lennon</p>
<p>If you go straight into “real life,” you might end up just as lonely as you’d be in college. </p>
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<p>You are… you will never be with as large a pool where you can make friends again as your college years. And right now you probably don’t have to worry about a mortgage, or choosing between a place to live that you like or a long daily commute. If you hate a class, it is over in 4 months (your job will NOT be like that). You don’t have to worry about leaking roofs, childcare, aging parents, or bosses that suck that you spend 40+ hours/week working for. Trust me… live in the moment and enjoy your college years. Join some new clubs (maybe ones that do larger volunteer efforts, that is a great way to get to know people). </p>
<p>I’m a rising senior and I’m the complete opposite. I love the security being in a college community provides me. I love knowing that I have easy access to almost any needs I have (emotional, physical, financial, social, etc.) </p>
<p>Being financially independent would be great, but when you’re outside the walls of college, you’re on your own. You have to basically fend for yourself and figure out how to provide for yourself. You don’t get financial aid refunds or work study jobs handed to you. You don’t get meal plans or full-amenity housing. When you work full time to pay bills and what not, you don’t always get to chill with friends or go out and meet new people as freely and easily as you wish. </p>
<p>I’m not saying life is going to completely suck after college and this is the only good years you’ll ever have, but I still wouldn’t take them for granted. Even though you’re having a hard time making friends right now, I’d still try to make the best of it. See if you can find any clubs you’re interested in or find a way to get involved to erase the boredom and give yourself a goal or challenge to tackle. </p>
<p>I haven’t started college but it would be great provided that I’ve everything I strive for. Otherwise, I’m following the normal route. </p>
<p>I can both agree and disagree with you. I have often felt like the students that I meet in college, whether it’s in classes or in different clubs, are cool and intelligent people, but I never felt close enough to them to consider them close friends of mine. And any people where I do feel like there is a potential for a strong friendship, I never see again after classes are over. Maybe it’s because of my introverted personality, but I don’t know what I would do if it weren’t for my friends from high school that happened to go to the same college. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I have experienced so much personal growth and confidence from the independence of being in college. To be honest, you should feel excited about your independence in college- you get to choose your classes, pretty much live on your own for a good year (great way to meet other people), and you get to run your life the way you want to. Trust me, once you’re out there in the real world there is no turning back. You’ve got bills to pay, you have to go to work for 8-10 hrs a day (hopefully not sitting at a desk all of that time like me), and it is harder to meet people versus the social opportunities of college. </p>
<p>But I could be wrong and post-college life can be as fulfilling and rewarding if not more than college ever was to you. A co-op would be perfect for you (alternating 3-4 semesters of work and then school) and I would suggest getting some internships or part-time work to give you a taste of what it means to become an adult. Since you’ve got three more years ahead of you- force yourself out there and grab ahold of new opportunities. It’s ok to admit that the college experience is not what you thought it would be (some people feel the same way), but don’t let dreaming of the future hold you back from the things that you can experience right now. </p>
<p>Sounds like you just haven’t developed a community or network. I’m an introvert myself, and I found a sorority a really great way to belong somewhere and be “needed”. A religious group or a significant club or sports team would serve the same function. A good internship or job might also help you find the sense of belonging it sounds like you’re searching for.</p>
<p>I do not. I want to cherish these moments in life. Never again will I have as little of responsibilities and obligations as I do now. I’m living for today. </p>
<p>I feel your pain. Though college is fun, but I’d like to get out, start working, and get experience. I’d love to stop relying on my parents and have some stability in my life.</p>
<p>However, work experience is completely different from life in college. Even with my knowledge of the subject, I find myself struggling to understand the concepts in my summer job (which is the job I am pursuing). There’s a huge difference in etiquette and dress code (depending where you work). However, (depending where you work) say goodbye to social time. By the time you get home, the sun is gone and you will collapse onto a bed, only to wake up to hurry and get ready for work. Independence is not as romantic as it sounds.</p>
<p>I love college. I meet a wide variety of people in college who have the goal of learning as much as they can. You can not really get such a diverse crowd of people who know a variety of disciplines outside of college. I was hurt by a friend who used me in college but that is part of the experience. College is a place for experimentation with relationships and people. Have fun while you still can.</p>