Problems I'm having -is this normal or more specific by school?

GoatGirl19
Mon, 29 Jan 2018 18:24:27 +0000

I don’t think that’s specific to a particular school; I had a similar experience in a similar-sized college. I think it is a really common thing to have happen during the second semester of your first year–people kind of grow apart from the quick acquaintances they made freshman year and find a group they really fit in with. And there’s drama as these old friendships reveal themselves to be the shallow, quick kind that happen when a bunch of people who don’t know each other are forced together.

If you’re interested in making closer, more lasting friendships, it takes some effort on your part. The floor and dining hall are good places to start, but if you’re not already, get involved in some clubs. Clubs will automatically give you a common interest with potential friends and a much less formal atmosphere than class. There are clubs for pretty much any interest you can imagine, from recreational sports to Dungeons and Dragons to art and academic clubs. Another good way to make friends is to chat with friendly-looking people before and after class and if they seem nice, ask whether you can study together or be lab/project partners. It takes some effort and risk to make good friendships but it’s really rewarding.