[feonateresa]

Catching The Lonely Bug

BY FEONA GRANT, MACINSIDERS

Going to university seems like a grand opportunity, for most students, to meet new people and make new friends. It's the starting point of the relationships that you'll have for the rest of your life, and the connections you'll carry with you and use well after you've ended your undergraduate career.

It's supposed to be simple, you go to university, you meet people. Any shyness or inhibitions one may have had magically disappears.

That's kind of wrong, by the way.

While most of us probably had an amazing time at our respective Welcome Weeks and made tons of friends, it's not easy for a lot of other first year students, coming into unknown territory. The first few weeks of school, especially at university, can feel dreadfully lonely and it can take a toll on you. The secret is, don't let it take a toll on you.

For those of us who are shy, or might not know how to approach people, don't be afraid to try! There are so many people just like you, who might feel separated and detached from everything that is going on around you. It doesn't feel nice, and you certainly don't like it, but it doesn't mean that you are the only one experiencing it.

So here are some things you can do, to make your first few weeks here at McMaster a bit easier in terms of not feeling lonely and feeling like you've settled into a good place.

Introduce yourself. Classes and tutorials are good places to start. I know it can be difficult, but students here are generally very nice and accepting. You can talk about all sorts of things, where you're from, what program you're in, what high school you went to, what residence you're in/where you live, etc etc. After that, it's easier to slide into conversation about other things.

Join clubs! Clubsfest was a few days ago, but club listings are up on the MSU website. You'll meet tons of people there with similar interests that you can talk to.

Talk to your CAs and reps. They are there to help you and make you feel welcome. They always have your best interests at heart, so take them up on that!

MacInsiders is a great place to connect with people in the same programs, talk about your frustrations over life and school and eventually meet up with them too if you would like. All of us are here for each other after all.

Remember to not feel frustrated if it feels like nothing is going well when it comes to making friends, making the grades, or making anything seem worth while. It will all fall into place, just have faith in yourself and put yourself out there, at least a little bit.

Here's to having an awesome year at Mac.

[lorend]

Something really important that Feona said that I was to reiterate: "All of us are here for each other after all"

It's very, very true.

[~*Sara*~]

Originally Posted by lorend

Something really important that Feona said that I was to reiterate: "All of us are here for each other after all"

It's very, very true.

I second that. And another of the reasons why Mac is the best choice I've ever made. I really hope others know that/realize it soon! =]

[surena]

Advice for upper years trying to meet new people again? It's sad, but i feel like by fourth year, everyone's pretty much set with their groups. :(

[Duarch]

Originally Posted by surena

Advice for upper years trying to meet new people again? It's sad, but i feel like by fourth year, everyone's pretty much set with their groups. :(

I know what you mean. Next year most of my eng friends will be doing their co-op. I won't (I'm in science.. I somehow ended up hanging around with my eng roommates friends.. but we get along well I whoop their ass in science). So my group of friends will drastically decrease, as will my housemates :(((((((((