<p>By now everybody is gone, I’m the only one on my floor… I’m feeling lonely 
The lucky ones went to visit their families…well, maybe next year I’ll be gone too…I hope so because I’m already hating the fall break.</p>
<p>My sympathies, Trapper. In his freshman year, my S spent one term at a nearby top LAC due to Katrina. He loved it there and made no plans to go anywhere for the fall break day(s). But about mid-way through the first day, he realized no one was hanging around campus. We happen to live about 45 minutes away, so he could call us and get a ride home.</p>
<p>Sorry I can’t come pick you up ;). How long will your break go on? Are there any options for someplace fun you could go … or day trips you could do?</p>
<p>Trapper, my junior S starts his fall break tomorrow afternoon. He is not returning home either. All his friends will be gone too, but he uses the time to catch his breath, catch up on sleep, and just relax. Make the most of your time alone; get off campus, see a movie, eat somewhere new, read a book, rearrange your room, just don’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself. It will be a LONG fall break if you have that attitude.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>It must feel a little bizaare and isolating, as everyone else goes off to family and what seems more excitement. Transitions can be hard, but enjoy this time as a gift, as in the suggestions above. So much of time in your college town is spent busy, with the demands of the school year, the packing and transitions at the end of semesters, the rush to get settled for new semesters. This is the time for you, and learning more about where your college is located. My son, after graduating last spring, finally returned to his university city to enjoy it for the last time, as he’s never had many relaxed moments while in school. Get out of your room, and explore a bit. Even if the most nowhere small town, there is something new to see. Or make it an inward journey, think about yourself, your goals, do some reading in a direction that interests you. I’d also think there might be others on campus in need of company, and they might appreciate a friendly face during this time.</p>
<p>Try attending services at a local religious insitution where you feel comfortable. They are there to help you, provide warmth and friendship. While recently visiting our son at college we attending service at nearby church and found many many senior citizens very warm and anxious to provide a friendly caring smile to any students who showed up at the church. The service was given by an intellectually stimulating pastor as well. It was very nice and you may be surprised if you get involved with one of these organizations.</p>
<p>Trap…, Hang in there. Time to say hi to the RA on duty, your Residence Director, and maybe the security guard. Go on a search to determine how many of you are left in the dorm. Throw an impromptu “pot luck” party of your newly found friends. This could be a great opportunity to bond in a deeper way to the few folks who are around. Make lemonade!</p>
<p>I remember a summer term when for about the first two weeks I spent every waking moment ALONE except for going to class. It’s hard, but you will make it. Think of it like a storm weekend, or a sick weekend, or a hole-up-and-read-good-books weekend. Go to B&N, get some good books; go rent some movies (do you have a place you can watch DVDs?), or catch up on TV. And keep posting here! We’ll keep you company! Get started on a new work out program. Hey, take up a new hobby. Learn how to juggle. If you really want to spend some bucks, go to the local superK and get a unicycle! (Just kidding) But really, you can do this and do it well. Look at it like an opportunity to do something just for yourself. Keep us posted, we’re here!</p>
<p>I know that during my freshman year, one of my roommates was stuck on campus alone. She decided to decorate for christmas, which involved hanging up lots of decorations and making each of us individualized stockings.</p>
<p>I think all of the suggestions above are great. If you need more to do, how about a haircut? A dentist appointment? A checkup? I know that I always find those things hard to fit in and it’s nice to get them done.
Personally, I would love a few days to hang out and do whatever I wanted…I hope you have some fun!</p>
<p>Trapper,</p>
<p>This is the time when you will meet other OOS’ers like you. Make friends with them. This way, for all upcoming long weekends, if you plan to stick around in the dorm, you at least have other friends like you. </p>
<p>I bet these kids will hang out at the University center. Play pool, table tennis, cards or watch TV with them. Try to keep busy and don’t think too much about not being home.</p>
<p>Keeping busy will keep you from feeling lonely. If you happen to have Internationals at the school, they stick around through ALL holidays. Use this opportunity to make friends with International kids and learn about other cultures.</p>
<p>Great suggestionsss Pharmagal. Trapper, my niece was at our house for her fall break because it was too expensive to go home. She read a couple of novels. If you haven’t read “Kite Runner” or A Thousand Splended Suns" see if you can get your hands on them. You won’t be bored.
Another idea is to host some kind of party in your dorm. If you have a tv/DVD you could have a movie night or something.</p>
<p>You are my mirror - feeling guilty here because we can’t be at the weekend’s Parent’s Weekend for our kid.
You have had great advice about exploring your environment off campus and soaking up the nice quiet zen of being alone to study. Face it, most of your classmates have never had this experience - being totally on your own… do something out of the box so when everyone comes back and is talking about break, you can add “I sat through 8 films with subtitles at the metroplex” or “I met this cool lady at the farmer’s market who has 27 types of tomatoes”.</p>
<p>Wondering about your extended family.Do you have younger sibs or cousins in various cities? You could email or phone them up. You’re the big man on campus and if you called them to say “hi” you’d rock their world. They’re funny sometimes. Maybe your parents have their phone numbers or emails of your aunts/uncles to write to them trhough their parents. Kids are a giggle. My kids enjoy this, breaking it all down for their school aged cousins and answsering their questions, “Yes I live in a DORM now. Yes, well that’s kind of like a hotel but different. Do I have my own kitchen? Well no but…” etc</p>
<p>To get a good answer out of a kid around aged l0 or so, just ask, “did anything funny happen today?” or “did anything surprising happen today?” not just “how’s it goin” if they haven’t seen you for a while.</p>
<p>30 years ago I had to stay on campus during Spring Break because I was student teaching. I can still remember feeling very lonely. The good thing is that now I can look back and remember how I coped, daydreamed, took long walks, studied…) I remember that the time did go by and soon enough things went back to normal on campus. And now, 30 years later, that time in my life helps me to remember that “This too shall pass…”</p>
<p>my D LOVED it when it was a 3 day weekend and most kids were gone…she slept in, did her laundry, organized her papers, watched tv, caught up on homework, found some other lone souls and caught a movie, wandered around the library, got breakfast out…cooked her own dinner…sure, it was a bit weird at first, but she felt refreshed and good having gotten all her stuff pulled together…</p>
<p>so, just think, well , it is what it is…</p>
<p>CGM: I was reading through the posts thinking exactly that–my kids relished being alone for breaks and used them to refresh themselves for the coming hard work of finishing the semester…</p>
<p>Son is on campus for Fall Break until Mon late afternoon, and while that may not seem like a long time, he has already said that it is quiet. I asked if he had wished that he come home earlier, but he said no-he wanted to just relax, then spend tomorrow afternoon catching up on laundry, some homework, etc. just like a previous poster mentioned. Son sounded perfectly happy with this arrangement-he wants to relax and catch up.</p>