<p>Ok, basic info: I'm a girl, a freshman. I'm pretty quiet and shy, but still friendly. I've made a lot of acquaintances, but not many new friends. It just takes me a while to build really close friendships with people. Luckily, a lot of high school friends attend my college, so I still see them sometimes... however, they are usually busy hanging out with THEIR new friends, and I'm feeling kinda left out. Not totally a big deal, because I'm an introvert and do enjoy alone time. However, I've been dealing with too much alone time lately and I fear I'm starting to lose my sanity. </p>
<p>I hate weekends in my college town. There's nothing to do... for me. Most people go to parties or the dance halls. Long-story-short, that's just not my thing. I went home most weekends last semester (only live an hour and a half away), except weekends there were football games. After a few hours of fun at the game on Saturday, I literally only left my dorm room to find food and go to church, which is in walking distance. I don't have a car, so that greatly adds to my boredom. Not that there's much in this town I'd like to do anyway, except maybe go to the movies or the mall. I'm going to stay on campus more often this semester because I'm taking more hours and need to bring up my gpa. </p>
<p>So yeah, any advice on how to break the boredom? It's weird though, I don't do anything when I go home either, but I'm not bored there. I guess because at home, I can walk from my room to the kitchen to the living room or step outside and chill with my cats and dog. But at college, I'm stuck in this one room. I have DVDs that I watch, but that gets old quickly. Study, obviously, but not all day. I don't know what to do anymore. Is anyone else in my boat?</p>
<p>^^^The gym’s an idea, but I can’t exercise. Because of my freakishly fast metabolism, I lost weight last semester simply from walking to and from class. My doctor said I have to eat four meals a day now.</p>
<p>^^And I know I don’t have to drink or smoke at parites. I just don’t enjoy the party environment. I’d feel really uncomfortable because I don’t like crowds or loudness. They’re just not for me. I prefer small, more personal events, like just hanging out with a small group of friends, watching movies or playing games or something.</p>
<p>^That’s a good idea. Also, I’ve joined one club. May join more this semester. So hopefully I’ll meet other people like me.</p>
<p>There are probably other people in your dorm that don’t like partying - find them! Watch movies, cook, even doing homework on weekends isn’t bad when you’re not alone.</p>
<p>Can you get a job that requires weekend nights sometimes? Our late-night student grills or whatever love non-drunk students who can work there on the regular.</p>
<p>I second the “get-a-weekend-job” idea! There’s TONS of restaurants on-campus who need people to work late weekend nights (especially fast food). You’ll kill the boredom AND make money! Plus, co-workers are awesome people to hang out and converse with when you’re working. You won’t believe how quickly a 4-hr shift ends when you’re working a job that keeps you on your feet.</p>
<p>Aside from that, try your BEST to find people like you. I know it’s not easy avoiding the huge party scene and stuff, but I guarantee you there are people who you would “click” with right away on your campus. All you have to do is find them.</p>
<p>More advice: DON’T be stuck in your own room. If it’s a weekend night and you’ve got nothing to do, just walk around your dorm and look at what people are doing. If someone’s alone, go strike up a conversation, it’ll end up in you two hanging out. It can be as easy as walking up to them and going “Nce shirt! My brother has the same one…I’ve never seen you around before, do you live on this floor?!”. Something random like that.</p>
<p>Take-home message: Don’t give up and hang in there. It only gets better if you keep trying.</p>
<p>Joining a service organization should kill two birds with one stone. Volunteering regularly will give you something to do on weekends and an opportunity to make friends.</p>
<p>A job is probably not possible for me at this point. No car (also I should probably get my license first, so yeah, haha). While it is a small town and I could walk or bus to work, I’d just think a car would be easier. So maybe next year. And also I need to focus on studying this semester. </p>
<p>Also, the open house where we can check out clubs is tomorrow, so I was gonna go look around. I’m in one club already: the zoo club, which is fun and perfect for me. It’s just hard to talk to people in that club cause it’s one of those “here, listen to someone talk about a job/internship/study abroad… now go home” things. But I’ll try a little harder… maybe ask people if they want to grab a bite to eat at the dining hall afterwards or something. Ill definitely join one or two more clubs. And the next time my dorm has a movie night or something, I’ll try to talk to others more and find people like me.</p>
<p>I think I realized my problem isn’t that there’s nothing to do. It’s just that there’s no one to do nothing with, y’know… if that makes sense, haha. I wouldn’t mind just chilling with a DVD or playing Wii with a friend or friends. It’s just… I hope I’m not coming off as picky or snobby, but I haven’t met many people who like the same things I do. Like shows and movies and things. I know friends can have different interests, but it’s still nice to have something in common. Last night for example, my friend from high school invited me to a hockey game and the movies with two of her friends from an organization she’s in. They were very nice girls, don’t get me wrong. But we had nothing to talk about. All the shows/movies they watch, I hate, and vise-versa. Most girls at my college are like that, in terms of what they watch and do for fun, and I’m not a typical girl like that… I’m an oddball but I know I can’t be the only one here, lol. </p>
<p>I just wish there was a “People who love Disney movies and animals and don’t like partying and need friends” club… but it’s not that easy, haha. But I’ll just have to keep trying. Thanks again for all the advice. :)</p>
<p>In terms of going to the gym…everyone needs physical activity beyond everyday activities, no matter how fast your metabolism is. Have you tried lifting weights (not bodybuilding, but just doing some bicep curls, etc), other toning exercises (squats, lunges) or an activity like yoga or pilates? Building muscle will actually help you gain some weight, or at the very least, not lose more. I’m surprised your doctor would simply tell you to eat more and not suggest any exercises to help with that.</p>
<p>^I’m a weakling, I can’t lift weights, haha. Seriously though, I’m on the petite side and have exercised-induced asthma to top it off. I was in badminton class last semester however. I tried to get another kineseology class this semester, but the ones I wanted (yoga or self defense) filled up before it was my turn to register. I’ll check out if there are any yoga classes at the rec center, though.</p>
<p>most campus rec centers offer yoga classes that would be a great way to meet people. And definitely look into a service oriented club where you will be working with other students to help causes. Freshman year can be so hard to find your place. I like that you have an open mind about meeting others. Just keep getting out there when you can and give things a chance. Maybe some like a show that you don’t, watch the show a couple of times and maybe you will like it??</p>
<p>Also does the church you attend have a campus youth group you could join?</p>