How to make the best out of college?

Question

My first year wasn't what I expected it to be. I thought I would finally break out of my shell, make friends right away, and enjoy myself. After living with extremely overprotective parents I thought college would help me with this and I wouldn't be such a miserable person anymore. But no, instead I was so depressed and scared right away. I had a roommate that slept up to 20 hrs a day, watched cspan all day, and never said a word. I had panic attacks often, made no friends at all, and had a hard time studying from being depressed. There wasn't much lighting or anything so my dorm was usually dark except when I studied. I was originally on a sports team but had to quit due to health problems. I'm glad that happened too because those guys were always assholes to me. I'm about to start soph. year and would rather sit home all day and do nothing (like I said, overprotective parents). I can't take my parents' other van to college, so is there anyway I can make the best out of it? TIA

I can't even make any friends, how would I have fun?

Answer 1

My freshman year was also a complete social disaster. I still haven't fully recovered. My sophomore year was so-so. However, this year I am living in a brand new house with a lot of new people, so it should be a new beginning...

If you wanna email me, you can, bro... I'll help if I can.

Answer 2

I haven't been to college yet, but if you don't mind, I'll suggest some stuff you could do.

So freshman year wasn't that great, but it's true you really need to break out of your shell. This is probably the best time to because I'm sure college can be a good experience where you make some life-long friends and learn a ton. It's too bad that despite your positive outlook, your first year turned out so bad. But don't give up. If you give up and just stay as you are, you won't even have a chance to get where you want to be.

I can kind of get where you're coming from because I myself am rather quiet and dream of having a more vibrant and fun life in college where I can sort of change who I am because you get categorized so easily before then.

If sounds like you still have a chance to change. I don't know much about college, but I'd say you should give it all another shot. Get a new roommate, and hopefully you two'll become friends. Be a bit more outgoing - since it seems like you have been laying low, so there's still people out there who don't know you; you can still decide who you are. Stay healthy because mental health often coincides with physical health. Make your room brighter; I don't think dark lights help to brighten up a day. Be cheerful, optimistic. People tend to prefer to have happy friends. Try to get through depressed moments fairly quickly, then pick yourself up again and give it another shot. Maybe you could try another sport or join a club or something where it might be more easy to find people who are more friendly and have similarities with you. This is a great opportunity for change; don't let it go so easily! You were probably just unlucky last year, a combination of bad circumstances; give your luck another try. It is really a burden to be depressed, I know, but try to study because college is also that. But I think friends greatly help your mood and make you more likely to be eager to work.

I wish you the best on all this!

Answer 3

Baby steps. The best way to help yourself break out of your shell is to join a club, since you've said that you don't want to be apart of the sports teams there. (Jocks typically are assholes).

They should be more than willing to accept a new person to their group, since that will help whatever their cause is, and you'll become more comfortable over time with your new surroundings, and go out more to eventually meet even more people!

Soon you won't be depressed or scared, but happy and have met some really cool people.

Answer 4

just have fun