<p>Looking for some advice on my situation right now. Its the third day of school and I still dont have a place to live. Also, Ive been at this school for year, and I dont have any friends here really. Last year, I spent most weekends back at home to see my friends/girlfriend. Ive learned how to be alone at school, but sometimes I get lonely when Im down here. I just couldnt find anybody I connect with down here, might because I have social anxiety or something. I thought about trying to find a room with other guys, but I think I would be uncomfortable living with others, and Im scared of what they would think of me when they find out that I dont have any friends here. </p>
<p>If I did take this semester off, I would still graduate at the same time. I was planning to take the spring off if I found a co op. I would also try to get a job at home, and I think I would feel more comfortable. I dont know what to do, but Im leaning towards going back home, since I feel so stressed out here with no where to live.</p>
<p>edit: how would a semester off effect grad school applications and find a job after graduation?</p>
A full semester of relevant work experience would make you much more employable upon graduation. As for your grad school chances, it depends on what you want to go to graduate school for. For example, you’d be at a disadvantage if you were applying to PhD programs in math because taking a semester off means fewer math classes on your transcript and less time to forge meaningful relationships with professors. On the other hand, real-world experience might give you an advantage if you were applying to graduate programs in clinical psychology.</p>
I used to have terrible social anxiety and used to spend most of my time alone in my room. Sharing a house with other people was the spark that got me to break out of my shell: I just couldn’t avoid interacting with others anymore. Getting trapped in uncomfortable situations made me aware of various things I did to keep people at a distance. No wonder I didn’t have any friends!!! This new-found awareness allowed me to make positive changes, become more confident and develop a “normal” social life over the following few years. Today I am happier than I’ve been in quite a while!</p>
<p>Long story short: living together with other people might be good for you, even if the prospect might be scary. Working a job might be good for you too, provided it forces you to work with other people. Or anything else that gets you out of your comfort zone!</p>
<ul>
<li>look up your student mental health clinic and make an appointment ASAP. Social anxiety is much more common that you think.</li>
<li>look on craigs list or other local site for students looking for roommates. Guys are not terribly judgemental on how many friends you have or what you do in your free time, so I would not worry about that. (I wouldn’t say the same about girls).</li>
<li>how were your grades last semester?</li>
<li>do you like the school otherwise?</li>
<li>can you get a tuition refund or deferral at this point in the semester?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>how were your grades last semester?</li>
<li>do you like the school otherwise?</li>
<li>can you get a tuition refund or deferral at this point in the semester?</li>
</ul>
<p>My grades are ok. GPA is 3.3, but I would like to get above 3.5.
I like the school, but I dont love it. I would like it a lot more if I had friends to do stuff with. Im usually more of an outgoing guy when Im around my friends at home.
I would get a prorated refund I believe.</p>
<p>If you decide to take the semester off, you should spend the time getting help for your social anxiety through counseling. You are smart enough to understand that isolating yourself within the bubble of your hometown security blanket is going to limit opportunities in all aspects of your life. </p>
<p>Social anxiety is relatively easy to treat with proper professional help. The right treatment can change your life in amazing ways. Good luck to you with whatever you decide to do.</p>
<p>Call your parents and have a very calm, thoughtful, and honest conversation with them.</p>