<p>As some of you know I'm an OOS first year student.</p>
<p>And I'm having a ridiculously hard time making friends.</p>
<p>I feel like a social recluse right now.</p>
<p>I talk to plenty of people in my dorm. Always exchange a few words whenever I see them so its not like I'm unapproachable.</p>
<p>I have so many acquaintances. I don't go a single day without 10 or 15 people from classes or whatever saying hi and exchanging a quick smile.</p>
<p>But friends people to go to games or eat with or chill with are a whole different story. In that regards I'm alone. I went to the game alone today. Saw some people I know. Sat with them but I always feel like an outside.So I just avoid social situations. I eat alone.</p>
<p>What do I do? I feel part of it is because I am self concious about my body image and that tends to make me more nervous. </p>
<p>I want friends and eventually a gf.</p>
<p>Also I don't really mind being alone as much as other people do. Its fun to not worry about what you're saying or how you're dressed and self reflect.</p>
<p>you have to go on the offensive. don't expect people to invite you to parties, to games, or to lunch. Go to them and say "hey, whats up, guys! I'm goin over to such-and-such to eat real quick, wanna come?" or "hey I'm goin to the Beta party tonight, you guys gonna be there?" Eventually they'll return the favor</p>
<p>But apparently there must be tons of lurkers having the same concern, what with a couple of replies but 40-50+ views in both threads combined (in comparison, contrast the many threads we've had where replies are nearly exactly equal to views).</p>
<p>I'll suggest what I did in the other thread - join a club, they're a great way to make friends and many will meet on the weekends. Study groups are another way to make casual acquaintances that turn into better friends and you could make a meeting time that you all eat first if you want. Brown College really makes eating easy because you never have to eat alone - someone is always in the Brown room to chat with... But soon you'll see people from your classes and you can just go over and eat with them, say hi, talk about class, etc. I would say I have 3 best friends here - one is from my foreign language class, one is from my dorm and is now my roommate, and one is in a club I am in. You and your roommate don't ever do stuff together? I mean, my first year roommate and I only ate together once or twice, but maybe there's someone else in your hall that has your schedule who you could eat with? I know another (strange) place to meet people, at least in Brown, is the computer lounge (plus the other lounges) - I dunno once you see the same people in the comp lab a few times you become friends. Lol. If your dorm has a lounge just go chill there and there will proly be something going on. Just bring your homework or something and eventually there will be other people there and just introduce yourself and you're good to go. Well good luck! :)</p>
<p>college, I don't know about any meetings today but there are some tomorrow. Look at some of the clubs and see what your interested in/sounds interesting and go there. There's a list somewhere of all the clubs at UVa; a Google search will bring it up. And you don't have to swim at the AFC lol. You can go to just work out. However, you may want to think about taking a swimming class. It's one of those skills that can be crucial in certain situations (i.e. drowning) and it will serve you for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>and I'm in the middle of writing you a PM. Check in 10.</p>
<p>I missed the damn thing. I'll just email. And Gilmer's locked doors made it so hard to find the room, and then it was too late (I saw everyone leave). </p>
<p>But, I did get lost in the psychology/cognitive science wing ... I got distracted by all the magazine cutouts and research reports. I even saw a parent bring her child to the psychological/child development clinic. Ahh, there's nothing like the smell of a pediatric hospital ward in the same building where you take classes.</p>
<p>And there's a huge lecture in Gilmer on Sundays?!!</p>
<p>Join a political group like Young Democrats or Republicans. It's a perfect time with the elections and all. They have nice BBQ's and social gatherings, even some tail-gating events.</p>