<p>Hey all. Im a senior in highschool whos going to a small northeast liberal arts college next year. I have a lot of friends at my highschool, but i tend to be very shy around people i dont know very well. In highschool wrestling was essentially my only extra curricular. I was pretty good at it, and was able to make the state finals my senior year. However the school im going to does not have a wrestling team, and i doubt there'd be very much interest amoung the student body in starting a club team.
Outside of that, i really dont do a whole lot. Im not involved in art, drama, or music, and despite my success in wrestling, im generally unathletic to the point that i feel embarressed when playing other sports. im nervous that going to a small liberal arts school where "everyone participates", wold be difficult socially for someone as shy and uninvolved as myself. The problem is i was accepted early decision so i dont really have a way to get out of my situation. I was so in love with the school when i first applied and i still am, its just that im nervous about fitting in. Does anybody have any advice on how to make friends or activities and clubs that wouldnt require me to "be skilled"?</p>
<p>Poker club!</p>
<p>Tons of people are shy around people they don’t know. Here is a tip. People don’t form their crew with people from clubs or class (usually not at least), it is all about the dorm. Make friends with your roommate and make friends with your neighbors. Every entering freshman fears being left out. Go up and introduce yourself and just be friendly. You are going to see your neighbors all the time (likely every day), so you are going to have to meet them sometime. On the first night everyone is there, try to get a ton of people to go to the caf for dinner together. </p>
<p>No one is going to straight up say no unless they have a good reason. Everyone there is going to be psyched to meet new people and make friends.</p>
<p>Go up to the toughest guy in the cafeteria and punch him square in the jaw while he’s not looking. Then when he’s knocked out everyone will think you’re the baddest son***** that ever lived.</p>
<p>"People don’t form their crew with people from clubs or class (usually not at least), it is all about the dorm. "</p>
<p>Not necessarily true. S got his soph year roommates from close friends he had made via organizations he was involved in as a freshman. </p>
<p>I was a college newspaper advisor for 6 years. Most of the newspaper staff made their best friends at the newspaper, and a decade after graduation, they are still best friends.</p>
<p>I strongly suggest that anyone who’s heading to college plan to get involved in some kind of activities – whether those activities are sports, clubs, frats, or volunteer work. If you don’t, not only will you miss out on some fun, friendships, and skill building, you also will miss out on finding out what makes you happy and fulfilled, and you may end up becoming one of those adults who does nothing except work and watch TV by themselves.</p>
<p>OP – surely there are some things that might interest you in addition to wrestling. You needn’t be perfect at something or to have done it before to try it out in college. Many people will be doing college activities for the first time. When you get to college, try out anything that catches your fancy, and then stick with the things you most like. More than likely, college will have some activities that you’ve never had the opportunity to try before. If they interest you, try them out.</p>
<p>In college, I tried journalism for the first time, and ended up going into that field. Son has gotten into new activities including a martial art and ballroom dancing, as well as doing backstage work at the theater. Although he was a bit shy, he still tried new things, and is now much less shy (shyness is something that improves the more that you stretch yourself to meet people and try new things) and also has a variety of friends. He also is minoring in something he never had considered before: theater.</p>
<p>There are loads of non-athletic things to do on campus. Go to your schools website and look at their clubs and volunteer organizations list. I’m sure you can find one or two that could be possibilities. You can also get an on campus job to expose yourself to people and get involved on campus. Lots of people feel shy, especially in a new situation but everyone is new and looking for friends. Just keep an open mind, smile and say hi.</p>
<p>■■■■■ bdmet.</p>