<p>All I do with my time is go to lectures, study or do homework in the library until very late at night, come home at around midnight or past midnight and then go to sleep. Rinse and repeat. I love what I study and could do it out of pleasure for hours on end, but I’ve read on different forums of students who went through college repeating the same cycle every day now regret not getting involved in the social aspects that college has to offer. I don’t really care much for the social side and would prefer to save socializing for graduate school when things are a bit more collaborative. </p>
<p>Is the typical “college experience” really that necessary and would I regret not even trying to take part in it?</p>
<p>I wasn’t social before I came to college. At all. I stayed home and studied. All the time. But things took a sharp turn once I got here. And you know what I realized? I’m not going to remember these days sitting around in my dorm room, even if I was drawing or writing (which I love doing with a passion). I did that through high school, and I don’t remember anything really, except the things I did with other people. It’ll be the random night tour of campus with funny voice impersonations that I’ll remember. The spontaneous gatherings in the kitchen. Scary stories in the middle of the night. I don’t want to get to the end of college and realize that I’ve spent four years doing nothing but studying, like I did with high school. </p>
<p>Make an effort to get out there. Even a little. Just study out in the common room or something. Be around people.</p>
<p>^that’s my fear and it’s one that’s being quickly realized. my most entertaining college memory is probably my 20th birthday party and I don’t remember half of it. **** me that’s sad.</p>
<p>yeah, OP, I’d probably try getting involved socially if I was you.</p>
<p>In grad school, there can be such a focus on your productivity that there’s little time for socializing. You often settle for lunch hour or those few moments before the prof arrives in a classroom. I remember DH getting in his “friend time” by riding the bus with them- that’s not socializing. I think the point right now is to maximize the fun you do have, even if it’s in short bursts. Figure out what that means, for you.</p>
<p>I was a commuter and had that same kind of routine. I’ve had social anxiety issues for the better part of my life, so I couldn’t have imagined dorming at school. Now, I regret it. I really could have used that experience to help me develop my social skills. And yes, it sucks to look back and know that I have no real memories of college at all, other than getting great feedback on my honors thesis. But you can’t really talk about those types of memories without sounding like you’re bragging. </p>
<p>Grad school socializing will not be the same. I suspect that there is much less down time, especially when you start working on your thesis/dissertation.</p>
<p>Network and join groups that will benefit you when it’s time to look for work in your career field. Get to know faculty, professors and administrators that will help you when the time comes for you to apply for graduate school or need recommendations for a job. </p>
<p>Have fun but don’t get caught up in the hoopla or fear of not having a college life. The way the economy is I’d work hard now, network, graduate and play later! </p>
<p>Social aspect of college is part of the college experience. The people you meet here may end up being some of your closest friends and many of them can help you out after school. Think long term, don’t neglect that. </p>
<p>In today’s world, it’s more about who you know, not what you know.</p>
<p>Yes, you will regret it. College is not only about academic growth, but social growth as well. Plus, why would you want to go into grad school with the social experiences equivalent to that of someone in high school? And don’t think academic growth is all you need to get ahead in life. Life is complicated and effective social interaction is very important, as it should be since humans are by nature social beings.</p>
<p>Someone said to work hard now, and play later. Opportunities to “play” become less and less as you age when work, possibly marriage and kids come into the picture. Yes, you want to work hard, but don’t neglect your social needs, either.</p>
<p>I would regret not getting involved socially at any stage of my life, personally. I recognize that not everyone is this way, but I couldn’t understand not having time to have fun with friends. It’s an absolute necessity for me.</p>
<p>You need to realize that college social experiences are not the same ones as high school.
High school is well, high school at times and I know many of us would rather forget some of those experiences and others are very happy to never have participated at all.
People grow up however…even some of the worst in high school become some very decent human beings.
So yes, it is worth your while to meet them. Some of my best (life long, 30+ year friends) are from college undergrad. Thank goodness I met them when I did. We didn’t have expectations beyond that we liked one another and cared about one another. We had common bonds and experiences that have held together through the years. Those friendships were not based on wealth, career or any other status. It holds true today.<br>
It is very difficult to cultivate friendships that deep today.
RoxSox has it right. You need to make time to have fun with friends–some you haven’t even met yet!</p>
<p>This is the time when you NEED to be social so you can network and join organizations to add to your resume. Its also the time when you can go crazy with a few good friends.</p>
<p>When I mean social, I am not talking about parties or relationships. I would never want to attend a party…ever. </p>
<p>All I was considering as social is getting together with 2 or 3 friends and have a relaxing chat over a board game, like I did in high school. My classmates all seem to be asocial and just either stay in their dorms or go home after classes.</p>
<p>You don’t have to party. I don’t party at all and I have a very large social circle of friends. Not only will those be the best memories you have in college (time spent with friends), but it’s also a great way to begin networking. </p>
<p>Just because you aren’t social doesn’t mean you should at least have some friends with you by your side. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to join a frat/sorority and be in 10 different clubs. Maybe you can try finding friends that are in the same major as you so you can all study together and collaborate and have fun if you’re having a hard time or being burnt out. Plus, I wouldn’t really advise saving socializing for grad school because what if after that, you need to get a job and your employer wants you to have some kind of people skills? Or what if you have sudden obligations later on in life that force you to work first, then go to grad school later? </p>
<p>All in all, it’s okay if you want to concentrate on academics, but remember it’d be pretty hard to go through life and college without some friends with you.</p>