Transfer social life concerns

<p>I will be transferring from my local community college to SUNY Potsdam in the fall. In terms of social life, the past 2 years have been rough for me because I spent one semester living off-campus at a school in Pennsylvania where it was impossible to meet anyone and I ended up transferring to my local community college (Westchester) where I worked hard to get the grades to transfer and since it was a commuter school there wasn't much social life. I would like to think that SUNY Potsdam is transfer-friendly because they have the reputation for being an overall friendly (and small) school. They said that they put the transfer students together in suites (I even sent an email to the residence directors requesting it to be safe). I guess the main thing I'm worried about is when I look at my friends who stayed at the same school most of their friends they met as freshman, I'm afraid that I missed my chance (I have trouble meeting people by myself but I have no problem meeting people through others), if I have to I'll join clubs but I would prefer to make friends in the dorms. Does anyone have any experience or advice?</p>

<p>If you are friendly and make an effort, you can make friends on any campus. As cliche as it sounds, don't go into hermit mode. Leave your dorm whenever you don't have work to do. Ask your suitemates or classmates where the action is at on campus. There are usually events on campuses to participate in, some of them are set up to be social ice breakers.</p>

<p>If you are really shy, a daisy chain on facebook can sometimes help. I would warn against relying on your suitemates for making exterior friends, because you might not even like the people you are living with, meaning their friends could be worse!</p>

<p>I'm sure you'll figure it out, it's not as daunting as you might be making it out to be in your mind.</p>

<p>Hey, I haven't transferred from my community college yet, but I don't expect any difficulty with meeting people. Alot of it has to do with how well you interact with people already. I'm at a community college now and have dozens of friends here (I didn't know anyone here when I started). Plan on not working too much so you will have time to get out and meet people. Almost every four-year school has clubs/activities for nearly every interest. Get involved early on though, because you don't want to get in a rut.</p>

<p>Just be outgoing and friendly and you won't have any problems. I think as long as you aren't a video gaming hermit... although you could still hang out with other gamers... lol Truthfully theres someone for everyone at all universities, its just a matter of getting out and doing something. Just go out to some parties and meet some new people.</p>

<p>...In terms of social life, the past 2 years have been rough for me because I spent one semester living off-campus at a school in Pennsylvania where it was impossible to meet anyone..</p>

<p>i really hv the same problem with you.. im in comm college, live 30mnts from school.
thank god, ill transfer to 4yrs college next fall.
perhaps,,life will get better</p>

<p>I think you should consider joining as many extracurricular activities as possible. Don't look at it as a last resort but a first line of action. Go with your interests....there are so many ways to get involved - intramural sports, school newspaper, radio station, tv station, clubs, volunteer opportunities, working on-campus, etc. Be proactive in your social life and don't wait around for your dormmates to introduce you to people. Even going to the library to study gets you out and with people. Don't stay in your room, get out and get involved every chance you get. Make it your business to get the number of at least one person in each of your classes. Ask others to form study sessions. Sit at a table with people in the dining hall and introduce yourself.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I think the set up you describe for transfer housing will be a big plus. I transferred, my son transferred. For some it takes more time and effort to build your social circle, but it will happen.</p>