Gaming in College

[Bagel Golem]

1. Lack of moneyShouldn't be a problem. If you've already got the core books and dice, that's all you really need. When I was an undergrad, we used plastic dobbers (the kind used in boardgames) instead of minis and scraps of paper. Plastic dobbers don't look great but they're cheap. You can pick them up at good games stores for just a few cents each.

Originally posted by Macbeth 2. Tight schedule[/B]

I did by BA at Johns Hopkins which, at the time, had the second highest undergrad workload in the US (after CalTech). I graduated with "Honors" from a 4-year course in 3 years and still managed to game most weeks. Of course, I didn't have time for other extracurricular activities...

Originally posted by Macbeth 3. finding a gaming group.[/B]

Again, shouldn't be a problem. As others have mentioned, if it's a uni of any size it'll have a gaming group. Or just form your own. That's what I did.

Good luck at college

"Have fun storming the castle!"

 

[Reprisal]

Courses taken have an extreme effect on free time.

I'm fourth year, working on a degree in Global Studies (a combination of Political Science and Economics focusing on international aspects), and I've found that I tend to have more free time than a lot of other students. Of course, I've settled into the way things work a bit easier, and the man who said that using the simple strategy of "learning in class, not during free time" is speaking the absolute truth.

It also helps if you're interested in what you're doing, too.

I find that courses that don't have much homework like political science, history, sociology, psychology, and even economics don't have much in the way of homework beyond the odd assignment and simply reading the textbook and paying attention in class (and remembering the stuff you learned in previous courses). I think this is a bit different than the work-intensive courses like engineering, computer science, the fine arts, and what-have-you. My workload wasn't all that much for most of my courses, other than having to write one or two 3,000 word papers per course, and take the Midterm and Final examns, there usually isn't much else.

- Rep.

 

[Greatwyrm]

The school probably has some kind of activities fair, where campus clubs and groups basically try to recruit new members. This is a good place to find like minded folks, especially if there is a gaming club.

One word of caution. No matter how weird you think the weirdest person you ever met was, gaming in college will introduce you to an entirely new brand of weirdos.

 

[billd91]

I went to a small college (Beloit College to be specific) where there was a long-standing gaming club that maintained a library of games and got a small budget out of the student activity fees to add to it. So, get in with the right people and it's easy.

I double-majored in math and political science and ended up with plenty of time to game and we had various organized games pretty much every night of the week (I usually played in 2 of them). Even graduated with honors and Phi Beta Kappa.
Even when I was gaming more than once a week, I never neglected my studies. It helped that I picked a work-study job (reference desk assistant) that had a fair amount of studying time and kept me in the library where I could get work done.

So, you may be in college for your education, but finding gaming friends and time really isn't that hard.

 

[d12]

I went to a small, 4 year, academically intensive college. I gamed once a week with my good buds for the first two years, except for finals week, when all bets were off. I could have gamed more if I wanted to. I could have gamed the last two years but chose not to because I was very involved with my band. I graduated cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.

Um, I'd ignore the advice about not taking notes in class. Make that decision on a case-by-case basis but ALWAYS take notes until you're sure you don't need to.

Basically, you can't study all the time so set aside some time for gaming if its important. Save time by not owning a TV.

 

[Seonaid]

As someone just leaving, I'll second a lot of what people said previously. In addition, find a local hobby/game/LAN/comic store and ask if you can put up fliers. Often they have boards already, and it's a good place to find people looking or to look yourself. (Plus, it's good to get to know the owners, 'cause you'll probably be spending time there. )

*Definitely* go to any involvement fairs or club recruiting events; that's how I found my gaming club (and eventually became president of it ).

If you have a PHB or DMG, bring it to class and casually pull it out and put it on your desk to work on a character or something. If you're not afraid of scaring off and/or weirding out people (I know I'm not), it's a good tactic 'cause them that is afraid of that will come to you.

As for time, it's a bummer, but you'll find it. Once you're in school for more than a couple of weeks, you'll realize what needs to stay and what needs to go. Time management I never did learn, but boy can I prioritize!