This school sucks...

[Northstarmom]

<p>Radio club and art club sound like fun clubs to be involved in.</p>

<p>Also consider helping with community service activities including fundraising ones. Typically, some of the nicest students are involved with community service, and often there's a great need for flyers to publicize events.</p>

<p>S's making flyers for lots of organizations seemed to help him become very well known on campus. He is a nice, laid back guy with deadpan humor that slips by unless one pays attention. He is not a life of the party guy. However, when we visited on Family Weekend last fall, H and I were surprised at how many students were greeting S on campus. As we mentioned it to him, a student walked by and said, "Hi (S's name). Yes, he knows everybody!"</p>

<p>So...those graphics skills can be your ticket to fun and friends.</p>

<p>This may seem like an odd suggestion, but if you're interested in meeting girls, also consider taking a social dance course. You do not have to naturally be a good dancer because the course will teach you how to dance, and those skills will benefit you for a lifetime. And -- in case you're wondering -- straight guys definitely do take those dance classes, though guys of all kind tend to be in the minority (and consequently quite popular with girls -- who tend to love to dance more than guys do).</p>

<p>Taking an acting class also is a nice way to meet people even if you've never acted before. Because you will do improvs and scenes with your classmates, you'll get to know them well. I'm taking a college acting class for fun now and have noticed that many of the students are taking it because they are shy and wanted to become more socially comfortable. And they are becoming more comfortable because of how these classes operate. Plus the classes are fun!</p>

<p>Volunteering to usher, help with publicity, help backstage with campus theater events is another way to get involved and meet people. Theater folks tend to be very friendly and fun, and they need lots of help -- including behind the scenes -- producing plays.</p>

[sleepyman]

<p>Nice heh. Contradicting my lame instincts, a dance or acting class sounds like a great way to get me out of my shell. But I might want to try that next year after I transfer, so I can focus on gen ed's for this year. But I'll definitely try some community service, flyers or not. That'll look good on transfer applications.</p>

[nysmile]

<p>Do you have any idea where you might want to transfer? This time around in your college search, you'll have a better idea of what you're really looking for in a campus. Try to find a college that has easy access to off campus stuff like restaurants, movies, art galleries if that's your thing, and clubs/bars within walking distance. Also, make sure there's relatively easy access to transportation for visits to and from home so it's not a hassle to get home during long weekends/breaks. If you get a chance to go on a campus visit/information session to one or two of your transfer options, try to get back to the campus at night so you get a feel for the student body (kids hanging out at the coffee shop, cheering on the school team at game, hanging out in the library, walking around and talking, smiling, happy, etc.). </p>

<p>S1 hated his first school but finished out his freshmen year there. He sent out transfer applications by Nov. of that year. During one of his winter breaks (was at a different time then most colleges) he went and visited one of his transfer options. He went to one of their hockey games at night and was hooked. Kids that he didn't even know invited him to a party, the fans were screaming and into the game, etc. After his nighttime visit, he couldn't wait to start. What a difference between his first college and his current college! Definitely search for the campus that blends good academics with social opportunities.</p>