Ok, first this is all normal freshman stuff. Relax, I promise it is all going to be ok. Full disclosure…parent here.
I have to ask…where are you getting the idea that all your friends from home are having fun and close to their college friends? Is this from social media? If so, you know that more than half of what you see on there is legit right? I feel so bad for your generation because of social media. It creates stress, is a time suck and keeps you connected to people you should be running into once in a while, seeing on holidays or seeing never until your high school reunion in 30 years. I’m telling you it was so much easier back in the day when we had none of this.
Its great that you are your roommate are working out and that you have independence from one another. Very mature of both of you to recognize the importance of this.
You remind me of myself when I first started college (which turned out to be the best experience of my life. Spent three hours on the phone last night with one of my roommates and I’m old compared to you). I was terrified and terrified of the partying. And we are talking the 80s here so can I tell you what you see in the movies about the 80s and partying is all true. My suggestion…go to the parties. Go to the frats. Check them out. You do not have to drink. Bring your own bottle of water and put it in a cup or just drink out of the bottle. Its very cool, healthy, and 2016 to drink your water. Go for the entertainment of seeing what its all about, stick together with your friend and see who you meet. I think you will meet a variety of people. Just laugh and have fun and enjoy the experience of being a freshman and figuring all this out. Just keep one code with your roommate - always come and go home together. That is an important code for woman. One can not ditch the other.
Ok, next…yes, do what the other poster suggested about getting involved. I actually live not far from Amherst and we are coming up on the most beautiful time of the year. There must be some outings or events going on.
Now, my very important piece of advice for your generation. When you in the library, dining hall, lines, walking around campus…keep the earbuds off and the phone away. Because we are all so plugged in now, I truly believe it is more difficult for people to connect. We all do this to fill those uncomfortable times when we don’t know anyone or have nothing really to do. But those free moments used to be when people struck up random conversations and met! I still remember a cute guy striking up a conversation with me in a registration line and later asking me out! Now, you register for class online. Another opportunity to meet and connect with people lost. I really wish there would be a movement to “put the tech away” so everyone can get back to talking.
Just keep smiling, keep an open mind, be approachable, be friendly, be kind, get out of your room and you will meet people. Amherst is a selective school so you’ve worked hard to get there. Give yourself a pat on the back for that and know that this all just normal stuff as part of the freshman adjustment period. Set the reset button on the idea of begin nervous or skeptical. Everyone is adjusting. Don’t let yourself retreat, don’t think about TG, and use other’s as a measuring stick for your own experience. It sounds like you had healthy social skills prior to college so you will be fine. College is the time you put yourself out there, find yourself, hone all your skills (including social) and grow. This is all part of the growth experience. Keep laughing and don’t overthink it. You know how many kids on campus who look like they have a filled social calendar and famous new friends feel like you? Many if not most! You’ve got this!