<p>What have you purchased, Panda?</p>
<p>haha I don't think he meant spending as in cash. You might want to adding in phrasing on that overhaul for yourself Panda.</p>
<p>its an internet forum, so keep your pants on. In highschool my reputation was pretty good but not as good as I would like it to be, and senior slump has given me plenty of time to think about that. First impressions mean alot so why not start off the next 4 years on a very good note?</p>
<p>Well, its you need props to for what you want to be. Can't play basketball with a ball. etc.</p>
<p>I'm going to
+make better friends than i had in high school (because most of my high school friends are fake, shallow, and toward the end I really started to hate them.)
+use the library and all around improve my study habits.
+learn about some interesting stuff</p>
<p>My goal is less vid game time, more clubs, events and studying finally.</p>
<p>grades in high-school were easy but college i want to stay above the pack.</p>
<p>Make a group of solid friends!!! Emphasis on solid.</p>
<p>I want to be able to bong five beers...</p>
<p>just kidding</p>
<p>I want to volunteer for in a different country, I never did anything like that before.</p>
<p>That would be cool, especially if a group of people go together.</p>
<p>I want to become more social. Haven't really made any friends the first two years I've been here (damn shyness). But I've gotten a lot better over the summer. Been approaching a lot of people by myself. Something I've never done before. So hopefully next year I'll actually have more of a social life. I also want to get a little active with the college and establish social and business connections for when I get out of school.</p>
<p>Other then I'm happy with who I am right now. I still have my own share of personal hobbies and aspirations in life ... and not trying to conform to what everyone else is doing all the time (like partying or whatever).</p>
<p>I want to change my clothing. I'm African-American and have been into the baggy clothes and the $200 tennis shoes and Timberlands and stuff. I'm going to wear clothes that fit a bit more, will probably still where the shoes, but throw some flip flops in the mix. I'm starting to really like track jackets and stuff. So yeah, I'll change my clothing and kind of mesh two styles- urban and prep.</p>
<p>I plan to be as outgoing as I can, keep an open mind, and I'm going to try to avoid procrastinating (start projects as soon as I get them). I'd also like to get some new clothes..my closet is looking a little sad.</p>
<p>i would like to
be a lot more outgoing
have a lot more fun
be a lot less serious
be an insomniac
let my social life take up more than 10 percent of my life
pretend i'm 21 often
be a c-list celebrity
lose five pounds</p>
<p>Often times, a lot of what people have talked about on this thread can be accomplished by a few simple things. </p>
<p>1) Be confident in yourself. Granted, we all have our flaws, but nobody is perfect. However, don't overdo it to the point of where you look egotistical or arrogant.</p>
<p>2) If you want to becoming more social or outgoing, then never limit yourself to say x and y groups only. When somebody invites you to try something new don't just say no. Step out of your comfort zone and say yes. You just might learn something new. Never decline opportunities to expand your social horizons. Often times, I find myself saying "well this person is sorta of lame" or "these aren't the type of people I normally hang out with". Problem is that mentality is bad. I always have to keep telling myself "get out of your comfort zone".</p>
<p>3) Smile. I do mean it. People who smile a lot tend to be more approachable, friendly, and outgoing. Try it folks.</p>
<p>I say this folks from experience. I did a 180 degree turn around of who I was. I never changed the genuine person that I was. That was always there (my individuality, my authenticity as a person). What I did change was the way I acted, the way I approached people, the way I conversed. My entire mentality of social relations. And, let me tell you that I am a 1000 times happier today than when I was before I started the turn around.</p>
<p>Easier said than done.</p>
<p>I'm planning on better studying habits, though we'll see how that'll go. ;)</p>
<p>Also, I'll try to be more outgoing. Make new friends and not just hang out with the ones I made last year...and by new friends I mean more girl friends. Fashionably, I'll try to have a better sense of it...I've always worn t-shirts and jeans. I'll just change it up a little bit with different styles.</p>
<p>I would deffinetly like to do a reverse of the freshman 15 and hopefully lose some weight. I hate being chunky. I would also like to break out of my superficial shyness (super shy at first, then once you get to know me I'm really outgoing), and just be me from the start. </p>
<p>Also, all throughout HS I've been known in my circle of friends for liking this one guy (family friend, not in my HS, slightly realistic, I wasn't just stalking some random person lol), and I think it got to the point where people associated me with him, and didn't think of my as single even though I was, so yeah, I don't want to go to college tellling anyone about him.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I say this folks from experience. I did a 180 degree turn around of who I was. I never changed the genuine person that I was. That was always there (my individuality, my authenticity as a person). What I did change was the way I acted, the way I approached people, the way I conversed. My entire mentality of social relations. And, let me tell you that I am a 1000 times happier today than when I was before I started the turn around.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Easier said than done about changing 'the way you approach people or the way you act around people'. I think what turns people off the most about me is that I just tend to have a somewhat monotone voice all the time around them and afraid to open up until much later on. Because most of the time I end up saying something stupid or whatever and then I make myself look like a fool right away. But I know it happens to everyone.</p>
<p>It happens to me too. I think it happens to everyone. Sometimes I have witty things to say, other times funny things, and still other times I say things that make me look like a fool. But then again I turned that negative around into a plus. I tell people that I like making a total fool out of myself and having a good time. Sorta of sidesteps the issue.</p>
<p>A big part of it is just constantly having to remind yourself to get of your comfort zone. It really is. Everytime someone asks you to do something that may be new don't just make up an excuse like "ooh I have a test tomorrow I need to study for". Try something new and experience it.</p>
<p>Wake up everyday with a smile on your face. Trying learning the art of small talk. </p>
<p>I think part of my ability may be due to the fact that I was heavily involved with Speech and Debate in high school. In middle school, I was always afraid to stand up and do presentations in front of the classroom. Now, I just don't care anymore. I overcame my own fear of public speaking and at the same time mastered the art of public speaking (in all its forms from large speeches in big audiences to small talk). Learning how to enunciate, speak clearly, vocal inflection, and so on.</p>
<p>I remember attending this workshop a while back ago by this guy who specialized in communication and diversity skills for corporate management. One thing he stressed is this Chinese proverb or saying or word (which I forget) which basically said that one of the best ways to engage in conversational talk is to a) listen to what the person in front of you is talking about attentively (don't just daydream or flat out ignore the person), b) appear interested in the subject matter (even if you truthfully aren't), and c) ask follow up questions. The person will feel as if you care about them and might continue the conversation itself by asking you a few questions.</p>
<p>It's weird because I'm not afraid of public speaking at all. I have no fear of it. I can easily get up and do it. But I have the hardest time making friends or even talking to a group of people socially. It really is tough for me. I hope I don't screw up again next year like I have for the last 2 years.</p>