<p>I don't mean to sound absurdly negative, I really am looking for answers but so far I haven't found any, someone please tell me how the hell to have fun here. </p>
<p>I'm a freshman at NYU, and I'm just a hair away from absolutely hating it. The classes are great, but other than that everything just blows for me. I don't like to drink/party so what else can I do? I love playing tennis, and there's a grand total of 0 courts within a realistic distance of my dorm. They have some at Coles but those are some of the worst tennis courts known to man. The lack of a campus makes it difficult for an introverted person like me to socialize, I mean you can't just walk outside, chill and talk to people. I'm trying to be more social but how do you do it at a place that has no campus and is just a cluster of buildings? I signed up for clubs, unfortunately for me Stern Clubs meet when I have work and class, and I signed up for some NYU clubs but I've only heard back from two of them. </p>
<p>Again, I don't mean to sound like I'm *****ing-even though I guess I am- I just want help from current NYU students who like it here, how do you have fun without getting drunk every night? What do you guys do for fun?</p>
<p>Hanging out in the hall with my floormates, movies, free museums, walking around and people watching, etc. I’m absurdly involved with student life, so that takes up a lot of time. Time Out NY and New York Magazine as well as NYULocal all cover free or low cost events that happen over the weekend or every single weeknight, pretty much. Check out the Student Resource Center for more info about NYU clubs that meet more often. Also, walk around your hall and go to hall events. They might seem lame, but sometimes you run into people you have a lot in common with, out of the blue. NYU can be really intimidating if you are introverted, but there are many ways to take small steps and start carving a place for yourself.</p>
<p>I know how you feel - I transferred to NYU last semester (middle of my sophomore year) and now I’m at the beginning of my junior year and I don’t like my social life here at all. I feel like everyone made friends freshmen year and it was hard coming here 3 semesters into the college experience not knowing anyone. I also live pretty far away off-campus right now (that may change next semester) so no luck making friends in dorms or anything. </p>
<p>Since I’m a junior, it seems most people made their friends long ago. I’m also not really into the clubbing scene, I prefer bars or apartment parties. </p>
<p>I’m also naturally introverted but I try to be friendly and outgoing to everyone. Lots of people here are friendly, but I feel like I meet someone and then don’t see them for another 3 weeks. It seems most people here kind of live in their own apartments, have their jobs, internships, whatever’s going on in their lives, and other than going to class, there’s not that “college feel”.</p>
<p>Yea you guys are right. It is really hard to meet people if you came in so late in the game. I just met a guy who transferred from Harvard and is at Stern now and absolutely hates it. He lives in TriBeCa, but is really far from everyone and didn’t really meet anyone he can go out and party with. He is not interested in greek life, and hates clubbing. Only piece of advice I can offer is that you knew what you were getting into when coming here-it is no secret that NYU is not the best campus to foster close knit relationships. People here take on the lives of people in their mid 20’s. Get involved in student life, try to get into admissions ambassadors, get more involved in clubs, etc.</p>
<p>I know I love to try out new restaurants when I have money to splurge, so that might be a good route to go when you find people that also are not into drinking and partying.</p>
<p>Go to concerts, art museums, and theaters!</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I’m a transfer too. But I’m super involved in student life stuff, so I made tons of friends that way.</p>
<p>Woodydnomite: Your post blew my mind. Did this person specify why they transferred from Harvard to Stern? I know personally I’d give anything to go to Harvard because their financial aid so godly, just to save my parents money.</p>
<p>thestorm: Not everyone here drinks/parties. Don’t feel like it’s an obligation. As people have suggested, try museums, comedy shows, etc. Even walking around aimlessly / exploring makes for an entertaining time. There’s so much to see here. I feel like I was in your shoes freshman year – stuck in a city with so much to do that ironically, I had no clue WHAT to do – it may be intimidating at first, but you’ll find your niche.</p>
<p>If you like your classes, why not try talking to some people in them? It’s not a bad place to meet people who share your interests. Also, Freshman year dorms are VERY conducive to making friends.</p>
<p>I’m sure a little bit of research will help you find some decent tennis courts to play on.</p>
<p>I’m a transfer student this year as well.</p>
<p>Definitely join clubs. Also, if you decide to live in the dorms next year and so on, apply to Broome Street. We’re the only upperclassman residential college, and it’s a great way to meet people.</p>
<p>You choose a stream (field that interests you like world affairs, or history), and your stream has weekly/bi-weekly events. You’re also able to take part in events outside your stream (the stream is just a way for you to feel in a smaller group).</p>
<p>I’ve attended events and found them very helpful if your looking to make friends. Clubs work great too.</p>
<p>In my experience, you have to be willing to walk the extra mile here to make friends here. If I were younger and looking for more of a party school, I definitely wouldn’t have come here haha.</p>
<p>P.S. When your 21, life will be sweet.</p>
<p>I really want to live in the dorms, but NYU won’t give me a housing assignment. What’s funny is I work for the ResLife and Housing Office but I can’t get a dorm! But yeah, I’m guessing living in dorms would be a great way to meet people. I really can’t afford to pay Manhattan or even Brooklyn rent so I’m commuting from home, and I live pretty far, and it’s definitely hard to be social - I can’t stay out too late because of the commute (trains stop running) and my job. </p>
<p>I made friends easily in my first college because it was smaller and I was in an Architecture program, where we worked closely together in studio. At NYU all my classes are large lectures and I’m a Junior now, so it’s hard to make friends.</p>
<p>I do have a few friends here, but not really the social life I’m looking for. NYU is not a traditional environment, it’s not for everyone - people are really here to do their own thing. </p>
<p>Also, has anyone here actually been to a Tear It Up! event ever? Just wondering cause someone asked me to go and I wonder how fun it could be if NYU bribes people to go. I love watching volleyball though, don’t ask why haha. :p</p>
<p>I don’t see how the drinking age is a problem. Do you look like your twelve? Just get a fake at City Underground on Sullivan street. A lot of people who “don’t drink” hang out and listen to jazz or play pool at the Fat Cat on Christopher street just past 7th. Not really my kind of place, but it is flooded with NYU freshmen on the weekends.</p>
<p>Also, there is tennis at the Coles rec center.</p>
<p>It’s funny that I never attended NYU and I know where all of this stuff is.</p>
<p>@tobacco</p>
<p>The court that the OP mentions in the first post IS Coles rec center.</p>
<p>And most bars scan IDs now, so if it doesn’t scan, forget it. You’ll just get humiliated when the bouncer kicks you out.</p>
<p>@Tobacco: Did you even read the guy’s post? He clearly says he doesn’t like to drink/party, where did you get the idea the drinking age is the problem? </p>
<p>Also I don’t think the Coles tennis courts are that bad. I like the swimming pool in Coles; it’s always less crowded than Palladium, especially on weekends. Although Palladium has that awesome Sunday brunch.</p>
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<p>Did you even read my post where I suggested a place to go that is popular among freshmen who don’t really like going crazy and partying?</p>