<p>I just finished my freshman year at college, and by the end I was having a blast. I made a phenomenal group of friends that I hope to keep the rest of my college years and hopefully longer. But now I'm back home, and so are they. And while everyone else is reconnecting with their old high school friends, I'm sitting at home trying to find a job to occupy all my free time (which in this recession is not looking promising). I had very few "close" friends in high school, and quite simply I don't fit in at home. My family life is very negative, and I'm slowly becoming as depressed as I was before I moved away for school. The friends I do still keep in contact with from home have not changed much, but I have, and I'm bored with them; everyone else I used to know I simply don't fit in with. How am I supposed to live here for the next 4 months??? I do see a therapist for my depression, it is a clinical disorder that I've dealt with for years. I plan on visiting my friends from school this summer, but that's my only thread to hang on to at this point... and that will get pretty expensive. How do I cope with this?</p>
<p>Hmmm… Have you tried getting out of the house for a short time everyday? Doesn’t matter what you do, just so long as you get out and about. Why not try to find a job? Or if you can’t find one, volenteer(did i spell that right?). Read a book series or write a book. Just some ideas… Good luck! :)</p>
<p>What the hell? Don’t you have any interests? At all? My summer schedule is already full! Learn how to play a sport or an instrument, study a language, find online forums, use a webcam, join a volunteer project…</p>
<p>Definitely get a summer job or internship. Even in this economy there are plenty of opportunities for college students. Even if its a job in a local ice cream shop or summer camp, there are jobs available and look online for an internship. There are always companies that will let you intern for free and that will keep you busy for the summer months. It also gives you the ability to meet new people and to branch out in your community and develop new friendships.</p>
<p>Worth repeating. Also, given the economy, all places that use volunteers are desperate to have more help. In helping them, you’ll also make friends, keep busy, and feel lots better about yourself. You’ll also develop skills and experience that can help you with your future career.</p>
<p>Learn how to play a sport or an instrument, study a language, find online forums, use a webcam, join a volunteer project…</p>
<p>Volunteering opportunities are everywhere, as the previous poster mentioned. Also, can you call/instant message with your friends from college? Looking ahead, try and find an apartment for your junior year so that you can move in their immediately after your sophomore year. That way you don’t have to go home for the summer.</p>
<p>Unless his/her parents are willing to pay the rent or unless s/he has a job to cover the summer rent, it may not be possible to live in an apartment for the summer.</p>
<p>Find a full time job to keep you busy. What school do you attend?</p>
<p>I’m lucky enough to have 2 jobs this summer (1 I’ve worked the past 2 summers, the other I just got) and I know if I tried I could have found work somewhere else. Most of my friends are still at summer classes, so I’m getting a gym membership tomorrow and getting back into shape, working my jobs, planning my fall semester in England, along with trying to plan out what I need to to get into a good business school. </p>
<p>Join your local gym, volunteer somewhere, and just keep filling out applications for jobs/internships. And talk to your friends online at night. Send them pics of what you’re doing. Summer can be a long boring time, but keeping away from any negative family members and being in a positive environment is crucial. I miss my family sometimes, but there’s only so much you can take of them after you go to college.</p>