<p>So I've decided to go to a very small yet selective liberal arts college with >1900 kids. The gave me such a good financial aid that I couldnt pass it up. However, I'm really nervous. Nearly 60% of the student body plays a sport and although I played three sports year round in HS, I have no desire to play a sport in college. That honestly makes me so nervous because I made most of my friends today through sports. I'm scared that without playing a sport I'll be considered what they call a "NARP, or a Nonathletic regular person" (I read this on one of their college news papers, apparently people actually do get called this). And what makes it worse is that because it's such a small campus im scared it's gonna feel like high school. I wasnt very popular in HS and really wanted a reset in college but i already feel like that wont happen. Other things I've heard was that the school was very cliquey, hence, another HS reference. Also what makes me worry more is that someone from my HS who is relatively popular and athletic is also attending the same school. It makes me feel like that reset button I've always dreamed of in college won't exist.. Has anyone else been in this situation? How do you deal with it? I know the best thing is to not worry about social status... However, I feel like social life is a pretty important aspect of college which is why im really worried.</p>
<p>College is nothing like high school no matter the size. Stop assuming things, reading about things–if you go in without such assumptions you will act more natural. Anyway you are athletic so you might find you like to play for fun. My dd did 3 varsity sports in HS but didn’t want to in college either, but I know she would hit some tennis balls around casually with some friends. Now she does crazy stuff like German wheel classes, but she didn’t really do anything in college. I’m sure there are tons of people doing other stuff. If you are going to read about things, explore the other things that people do that you can join up with. When you first start you are going to be busy meeting people in dorms, getting settled in class. There are going to be freshman in same boat as you.</p>