College Woes

Thanks a bunch everyone. I will try my best to not get homesick too much and try to make some friends too!!! I love ENWorld, you all made me feel a lot better!!! :)
 

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Experience the college, and the community, even if it means branching out into things like public transportation. At my college (Emory University) there was a thing called the Emory Bubble, a phenomenon in which Emory students had no idea what went on in the city of Atlanta around them, and would not have known what was going on in the world at all if not for The Daily Show.

Do not allow yourself to overeat. If your college has an all-you-can-eat cafeteria, you're likely to fall victim to the Freshman 15, a nationwide phenomenon that commonly results in students adding 15 pounds during their first year at college. You're away from home, so your family's no longer determining what's for dinner. You can just pick whatever you want, so you'll probably pick too much pizza and cookies.
 

Galeros said:
Thanks a bunch everyone. I will try my best to not get homesick too much and try to make some friends too!!! I love ENWorld, you all made me feel a lot better!!! :)

For your gaming group woes I would suggest looking for a Games Club on campus. I found one in my university days and it really helped make a lot of friends quickly (many of whom I still game with 15 years laters!). I can guarentee there are going to be D&D players at your college so if there isn't a club already set up - look into making one yourself! In my uni days they had an 'open' recruitment day on campus where all of the clubs set up a table in the common area of a building and signed people up. It was a fantastic idea I thought.
 

I was a very shy, very introverted, very much a "mama's boy" type when I went to college back in August of '96.

I was scared of being far from home, I didn't know what to expect, I felt much like you were describing. I also was very close to my mother, and stayed in constant contact with her.

You say you'll have trouble making friends? You're a gamer, find a gaming club on campus (most colleges have one) and go to some meetings, you're likely to find people there you can have common interests with, and maybe get into a new game where you can meet some new people. Find the local FLGS and ask around there too. Try clubs related to your other hobbies and interests too. If you don't have any, look around and see if there are any clubs for things you might want to try or find out more about.

Go beyond campus. Try the off-campus eateries that are popular, don't just stick with college food. Explore a little. If you're afraid of getting lost, see if there is somebody who knows their way around who wants to show you around.

Transitioning to college life is going to be a big shock. You'll be going through a lot, learning a lot, doing a lot of new things, you'll probably get scared and want to go home, but tough it out, and realize that there are many people around you going through the same thing, and millions before you have gone through it too.
 

As I'm sure others have said ... be tough those first few weeks. Before you know it, living on your own will be second nature. You'll wonder how you ever did it any other way!
 

One of the things I remember is the amazing speed at which friendships are formed in that first year. I lived on campus, on a floor with 18 other guys. Just being around eachother 24/7, you get to know everyone REALLY FAST and bond quickly. Even after a month, you have rhythms that are as strong as those of your friends from highschool. It's like living in a combat situation -- intensity brings you together (although I do not mean to downplay living in a combat situation!)

Of course, I had the luxury of going to school only 45 minutes from home, so a train ride every weekend brought me home to my girlfriend (and gaming group, and part time job...)

- JB
 

Re: the Freshman 15

Unlike my freshman year roomie, I actually LOST 50lbs my freshman year.

How? The 2 major factors were:

1) I gave up soft-drinks. You'd be surprised how many calories you can take in if those are your drink of choice, especially in the age of unlimited refill fountain drinks. Water, fruit juice, Milk, and unsweetened Ice Tea became my only (non-alcoholic) bevereges. After some few years, diet sodas got added back in as an occasional treat.

2) I played intramural sports- even the ones I was no good at. Soccer, Football, and Volleyball were all on my "love" list...but anything someone needed a warm body for because they were short- I joined. Basketball (at which I suck), Softball (at which I suck), Track & Field (at which I'm better than you'd think, but still suck) and many other sports were on my daily schedule. BTW- I played both Men's AND Co-ed.

The latter will matter to you more. Not only will it be fun and keep off the Fresh 15, it will help you make friends. On top of that, when you are so tired you pass out on your bed instead of going out to dinner, you won't have too much time to get homesick.

Did I mention that NONE of that prevented me from finding people to game with?
 

Another thing to remember, there's going to be a bunch of other kids in college that are there for the first time alone and just as scared. So don't fool yourself into thinking you are the only one in that boat.
 

Hehe Frehsman 15...I dont think I have to worry too much as I think where I will be staying doesnt even have a Cafeteria so I will have to go to other buildings to eat. :)
 

Galeros said:
Hehe Frehsman 15...I dont think I have to worry too much as I think where I will be staying doesnt even have a Cafeteria so I will have to go to other buildings to eat. :)

I lived in Turman East, the furthest freshman dorm from campus. To get to the cafeteria and to class, you had to literally sprint across a 5-lane street, and all told it was about a 10-minute walk. Every day, both ways. But when it came time to decide whether I wanted to try one of each of the desserts, I often made a foolish choice.

My only sport was fencing. I honestly was anti-physical exertion until after I graduated. Then, lacking a car, I had to walk a half hour to work each day, and I tended to be more willing to go out and play sports, rather than sit in and watch TV.
 

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