Nervous about college

[tbruff13]

I am really nervous about college, and I was hoping I can get support from the FC community I have a 3.7 GPA, but I lack social skills.

[acecadet24]

hey... I think it all has to do with confidence. I think just striking a conversation with someone new is a start and asking them basic questions such what are your hobbies etc.  Obviously you are smart with a 3.7 gpa. You will do well in school. Good luck.

[handllucas]

I work at a 4 year institution and I can say that many college students have this concern.
If you are living on campus, there are assigned 'resident assistants' to the students.They are students in their 2nd, 3rdor 4th year. They can help with these things.
There are also many 'workshops' or informal programs that address ALL areas of living on campus and transitioning to living 'in the outside world" (LOL).
Just make sure you look into EVERYTHING that is available to you and take advantage of it all. These are the years to learn  and experience everything you can!

GOOD LUCK

[heatheram]

College is a breath of fresh air from high school!
If you live on campus, you'll make friends quickly. Your roommates, and dormmates, chances are you'll connect with quite a few who are in the same situation and/or are just as nervous as you!

If you live at home and commute, it's more difficult, but make friends with people in your classes, don't be shy! majority of the other students are waiting for someone else to make the first friendly move! Join clubs, go to events - HAVE FUN!

Biggest piece of advice - in college noone is there to make sure you go to class or do homework, or get up on time or get to bed at a decent time. BE RESPONSIBLE! it's easy to get caught up in the freedom! DON'T! once you fall behind, with a full course load, it's HARD to catch back up! Get things done ON TIME, study first, party later!

I'm in my 4th year, and I wish someone had told me!

[demaina]

To add a different perspective, I went to a commuter college.  If you know what you want to do, find clubs and such and get involved.  My sister is getting a degree in psychology and she got involved in a lab.  That got her experiences and got her names on some of the projects she helped in and she even ended up running that lab as well as the psychology club.  I had a bit more issues going into computers and being one of the only girls in that discipline.  There really wasn't anywhere for me to go, but in my 3rd year I found a computer lab that was used by the gaming students (my discipline).  I basically spent my last few years in that lab and became a regular there.  Pretty much everyone knew my name.  I also joined one of the professional clubs on campus which helped.  I wished I had know about it sooner cause I probably would've been more relaxed and willing to open up to the guys that hung out in there.

A lot of the high school issues fall away once you get into college.  I pretty much talked to everyone that would respond to me and ended up getting to know some people really well.  In fact, in one class we had to have a partner for an assignment and so I sent an email to everyone who didn't have a partner and ended up getting partnered with one guy who was probably the sweetest guy I've met.  Honestly though, if you pointed him out to me before, I would've probably written him off.

It sorta depends on what you are going into, but just start talking.  If nothing else, it's networking for later.  Also, start learning from others.  I asked others opinions and listened to them.  If asked, I'd try to help them if I knew how to solve their issues.  I wish I would've learned more from the other students while I was there.  Some of them had been working before and came back to school.  Others just happened to have skills.  You can learn a lot from others if you just listen.

[95langy]

I'm an upcoming senior in high school, but I'm really excited for college. One of my friends that went to college told me and a few others about her experience. She told us she was sitting at a table alone for lunch or whatnot for the first few days and like, a few people just approached her and asked to sit with her at her table, and were really friendly. I'm pretty sure they're good friends now. So I believe the environment to be really friendly. I'm certain that socializing is a key to having the best college experience. Plus, college is a time where you can start fresh (most of the time, if you're going away and wont be seeing any high school buddies etc), so it's an opportunity to build new relationships and socialize Good luck and have fun!

[kapeh12]

Don't stress out too much.  As others have said, college is typically a clean slate.  When I went to college, I was pretty much a recluse my first year - totally petrified of people.  I was just that shy.  But everyone was very nice, but I kept mostly to myself and stuck to my studies.  I did meet people in my classes.  I majored in physics and got to know my lab partners, some girls on my dorm floor were in some of my lectures and were outgoing enough to bring me out of my shell (and we later became roommates for the rest of college).

There are typically plenty of opportunities to find your own way of socializing with the rest of the world.  Eventually I decided to get a part-time job at a fast food restaurant to teach myself how to not be scared of talking to other people.  I found the experience to be valuable to me as once I get to know people, I'm fine - it's that "getting to know a new person" that would hang me up - and having a "script" to talk to strangers by taking their order was, in a way, was what I needed to teach myself how to get past that "fear".

I also explored different clubs - dancing, outdoor activities, etc - if you find activities that interest you, you might find it easier to communicate with others in the group.  If you are shy or unsure, don't worry.  Most people are understanding and don't care if you are shy and if they want to get to know you, they will.  If someone does judge you negatively for your lack of social skills, they are probably someone you wouldn't want to hang out with anyway - so move on to others.  It's a big world.

Outside of socializing - when it comes to your classwork, be aware that college is a whole new ballgame.  The subjects do get more intense and detailed.  What this means is you may encounter classes that will pose more challenges to you - GPA-wise.  Don't stress yourself out if you find yourself struggling in certain classes.  It's okay.  You probably will struggle more in certain classes in college compared with high school.  Focus on the classes you enjoy and do well in.  For those that are not part of your major or are not your field of interest - if you are struggling, put in the effort to get a passing grade, but don't overwork yourself to get A's.  It's just not worth the effort.  I tried to do that early in college and really stressed myself out.  Once I let go of the need to be "perfect" in every subject, I enjoyed classes more and was able to focus more on the classes that counted for my major.  Then when I graduated and entered the work field - most people didn't really care that much what my GPA was (GPA is more important if you are planning to go to graduate school, but even that can be circumvented by getting some "real world" experience before re-entering school).

Good luck - and take this opportunity to grow and explore!

[Hurricanekiz]

congratulations on your rising to the top, just remember everyone gets nervous!

[vee46]

im quite sure everyone gets nervous about something in life from time-to-time-yes i get nervous about college, most definitely, especially if i spend all this money for my children to go to college and after they graudate they are still unemployed. hopefully that doesnt happen and to no one else either.

[sharae90]

I was nervous as well. Living on campus comes in handy if you need social skills and having a cool roommate. Join on campus activities like sorority/fraternity. I went to the cafeteria a lot that's how I met people and I was on the girl's flag football team. 3.7 GPA is great just work even harder for college courses

[tammypete]

You will do just fine!  Academically with a 3.7 GPA you will do great!  As far as the social skills, just be yourself and everything else will just fall into place! 

[trucktina]

I wish I could give you better advice, but the social aspect was the hardest part of college for me. I didn't stay long.