<p>What are you talking about, jezebell? We already did all of those things. </p>
<p>Actually, people need to learn how to socialize first before becoming a social activist (which I am one). Social activism relies heavily on people skills, hence the word "social."</p>
<p>jezebell392 is just a spammer, ignore it.</p>
<p>I was actually being serious. Also, I fully understand the definition of the term "social activist." Geez, what do you take me for, an idiot? Also, social activism is orthogonal to extraversion. For instance, one can practice social activism simply through prose writing.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In the time it took Yourfather to write that response, you could have fed a child for a whole day in Africa by donating one dollar.
[/quote]
You could worry all day about doing something in Africa as opposed to spending extra five minutes at lunch to talk to a friend or studying extra for an exam. That's just unwise. You have to live your life too.
I was giving him practical advice about how to deal with people, and it was time well-spent.</p>
<p>
[quote]
For instance, one can practice social activism simply through prose writing.
[/quote]
To do effective prose writing, you must have a good understanding of people, which comes from socializing skills. Social activism is never effective if masses of people don't cooperate to demand and create change.</p>
<p>YourFather-
I found your post very enlightening and helpful. I'm currently a freshman and we're in the middle of "welcome week" which is definitely an awkward time for all of us. I have already been doing some of the things you've recommended like sitting with strangers in the dc and going to events whenever people ask me to join them. It is incredibly difficult for me (I'm pretty shy) to do so naturally yet so very important.</p>
<p>And as you said, it's sometimes hit and miss. For instance, last night I saw a movie with my floor and we had fun and bonded. Today, I went to my college's first Hillel event (jewish organization on campus) and was expecting to meet a LOT of people. Instead, I found a bunch of cliques and people who were kind of cold to me - I only met a couple people. Needless to say I was kind of depressed afterwards ... but you need to take the risk in order to find success.</p>
<p>I'm glad you found it helpful, mbird. It really does take some initiative and boldness to make friends. Some people might brush you off, but that's part of the process as you find people whom you click with. Don't be too hard on yourself.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, do not weigh in your college success by whether or not you and your roommates are buddies.
I was best friends with my roommates at first, which is why I thought I could depend on it, but then we grew way apart, things got really awkward, but I didn't want to let go since I'm such a friendly and trusting person. By the end of the year, I had accomplished so much, yet still felt depressed about my roommates.
Luckily, this next semester I'm out of that suite and into a new one, and I have learned my lesson, so will keep my distance until I know them better.</p>
<p>Don't worry! That is exactly how I was. My roommate and I NEVER spoke, even when in the room together for extended amounts of time, and my only friends were in other buildings. It also took a few days of misery and loneliness before I found a group for myself. Actually, all these anxious freshmen are making me feel better about MY orientation experience :) You're certainly not alone! Even if you're not super friendly (I am extremely socially retarded myself) you will do fine!</p>
<p>You're roommate's a good default, backup friend the first few days or so before you get to know people. Like a single-serving friend. You talk, hang out, see a movie together on campus, then you realize you're in different colleges and have different schedules. The guy's as agreeable as can be, but you know how it goes.</p>