<p>I am seriously being the most outgoing person right now at RISD and it just seems to be going nowhere. im talking to everyone, not judging the oddly dressed students, and really going outside of my normal type of friend that i have. i feel like if i applied how im acting now to any university id already have met ppl who i clicked with, but unfortunately ppl can be slightly socially awkward if you just go up and introduce yourself. i end up crying everyday whether it's because im overtired and over stressed due to the workload or just because it doesnt feel like home. i live 15 minutes away and choose not to go back cuz i want to force myself to get adjusted. im trying to start a club and even joined a sport but nothing seems to be working.
My major is industrial design and the only comparable school id be interested in is syracuse. what should i do? i know the risd education and opportunities are great, but is it worth sacrificing social happiness?
PLEASE give me some advice, not sure what to do..</p>
<p>Are you a freshman? If so, you've only been there 3 weeks and you need to give it more time. I have a son who's also a freshman in college (not RISD, but a top 25 school) and he is having the same problem as you. Although he has been going to different activities and joining clubs, he just hasn't "clicked" with anyone yet and is quite lonely. College can be an overwhelming adjustment sometimes, and you need to remember that. And certainly going to an art/design school like RISD is even more of an adjustment after high school -- with daylong studios, harsh crits, and routine all-nighters.</p>
<p>It might help you to talk with someone. Do you have a family member or adult mentor that you would feel comfortable confiding in? RISD also has a professional counselor available in the Student Development office. I would encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible.</p>
<p>It may turn out that RISD is not the place for you, but you need to give it a fair chance first. Have you actually visited Syracuse yet? Do you have friends there? There is no guarantee that you would be happier at Syracuse.</p>
<p>IA with the poster before me, if you're a freshman you definitely need to give it more time. Just keep doing what you're doing and eventually everything will fall into place--and don't stress yourself out too much. Take a nap, focus on your work, don't overexert yourself trying to make a million friends right of the bat.</p>
<p>Can you join the RISD Community Service club? If it is active, the kids in that club (I saw it on a RISD web page) would be likely to be happy to see you. </p>
<p>Any club you can find that does community service would be worth considering. Habitat for Humanity, a group that works at a soup kitchen, any group that welcomes new members because the more people they have, the more they can accomplish.</p>
<p>I got accepted to RISD and I was pretty excited to go there until I looked at the cost and how little scholarship they offered me (zero). So I'm guessing a lot of rich kids go there... are your parents footing the bill or are you taking out loans? If the latter maybe you can't click with anyone because everyone's a rich snob?</p>
<p>I know a girl who transferred out and went to Syracuse! She hated RISD and loved her time at Syracuse.</p>
<p>well i am not from a wealthy background whatsoever but they gave me 25,000 so that helped in the decision making process, and yes there are rich kids but i mainly steer clear of the snobs. i actually did go see a counselor which helped a little but every time i think of starting classes back up on a sunday my stomach just turns at the thought of how little i get along with those in the section of 20 ppl i go to all my studio classes with.</p>
<p>hayze, is there any chance you could tell me more about your friend? im just curious what kind of transition id have. </p>
<p>and yea i have visitied syracuse for my portfolio review last year but didnt actually see in many of the buildings, but i plan on visiting mid december to get a better feel.</p>
<p>Keep those grades up and think about other options. THat will give you a goal. Don't you get to take classes at Brown too? Check that out? Maybe you can take a lot of courses there and spend more time socially at that campus.</p>