<p>I'm really introverted. I tend not to socialize and it takes me a long time until I am comfortable with new people. From what I hear, Penn State is generally extrovert-friendly. There are parties and football games, both of which I have no interest in. I'm a geek and I would much rather talk about math or something, lame as that may sound. Is Penn State geek-friendly? Will it be hard for quiet and shy people to fit in to campus? It feels to me like nerdy people will be left out. Is the atmosphere of the honors college any different? Personal stories will be great.</p>
<p>Do you want to socialize more? I think at any school you will need to get out your room (and perhaps your comfort zone) in order to find a few friends initially. There are many clubs and activities that are nerd-friendly-- everything from the Science Lions (performs science outreach events for kindergarten through twelve grades and the general public) to the Bigfoot Society (provides an atmosphere for discussion of the anthropological, biogeographic, and cultural significance of North American Bigfoot (Gigantopithicus sp.) folklore) to the Mac Users Group and the Video Gaming Club.
[Index</a> of Student Organizations at Penn State](<a href=“http://www.sa.psu.edu/usa/studentactivities/search.asp]Index”>http://www.sa.psu.edu/usa/studentactivities/search.asp)</p>
<p>You might also consider a Special Living Option, where you could choose a living group with others who share your interests.
[Housing:</a> Undergraduates](<a href=“Home Page | LiveOn”>Home Page | LiveOn)</p>
<p>I see there’s also a Math Club that meets every week–<a href=“Student Organizations | Penn State Student Affairs”>Student Organizations | Penn State Student Affairs;
<p>Thanks 1moremom for the websites. The activities directory is especially helpful. </p>
<p>I know I should probably socialize more and college is a chance to meet different types of people. Maybe I’m concerned over nothing. Are there any current students who have this problem at all?</p>
<p>It will be somewhat difficult. The key: reach out. Penn State is a big school notorious for partying and Greek life. If you don’t think you can handle this social atmosphere, perhaps a smaller school would be better for you. I know at times I hate how binge drinking forces itself into social circles and the campus news.</p>
<p>I had an awful housing experience my first semester that really shaped my perspective on Penn State. I lived in East and I realized it wasn’t the environment for me. I too am reserved and serious about schoolwork (pre-med). I literally made all my friends through classes. The best way was to reach out the FIRST week and make as much small talk as possible. You’ll see that those kids will become true friends instead of “convenience” friends, which are made through floormates.</p>
<p>This semester, I moved to an SLO, where I seriously made 5 new friends. Several people came up to me during our first floor meeting to introduce themselves and we spent hours talking. An SLO would be an exception to what I said above, because you’re interacting with people of similar academic goals and interests on a more frequent basis. This option would be your best bet if you think you won’t be willing to introduce yourself to people in classes/clubs.</p>
<p>Well think about it. At Penn State, there will be about 5-6 thousand other students with next to no friends, and one of them will be forced to live with you. Should make things easier. Then you’ll both become friends, and you’ll both make new friends, and bada-bing! Extrovert!</p>
<p>It would be nice if it always worked the way cooper1234 describes, but a roommate assignment is sort of like a blind date-- sometimes it works out great, but not always. I’m glad you were able to sort out your situation, stealthx. I think requesting an SLO would be a great idea for the OP.</p>
<p>1moremom may be right, so try this.</p>
<p>Try and find a random party, go, and do what everyone else at PSU does and get trashed.</p>
<p>If you wake up wearing a girls bra with a lampshade on your head lying down on someones couch at a Penn Sate satellite campus, you’ll know you’ve made a few thousand friends in the process, haha.</p>