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I wish that I had some helpful advice for you. The college my daughter attends realizes that not only do happy well socialized students do well, but the stay in school and return to the school that gives them that home away from home environment. They took socialization quite seriously. The orientation itself was about a week long and went over everything with us (separately) about what to expect in just about any situation from academics to socialization. They even have a “block” program similar to a high school schedule. If you’ve declared your major you have a block of classes with the same people so that you have many opportunities to meet and interact with one another. They even went so far as to try to put people with similar interests in the same blocks based upon the millions of questionnaires filled out during orientation and application.
The things they suggested for those students that might fall through the “welcoming” cracks (those students that have not declared a major or taken the questionnaires seriously) is that they either join a club or if there isn’t one established in something that you’re interested in, start one. Do attending the welcoming functions. If you’re strong in a subject volunteer for tutoring or apply at the student center. Please realize that even though the other freshmen appear to have it all together and handling the change well that they too are struggling. All the feelings you will have are completely natural and normal. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, contact the campus mental health office, they’re there to help and are very familiar with these freshmen feelings.
Good luck and have a great year! I’m sure you’ll find your niche.
Oh and they also suggested leaving the dorm doors open (had door wars, every time an RA walked by and saw your door open you got a star. At the end of the week the room with the most stars won, the winner got something for their room) and have like fresh baked goods or “sharing” foods available as conversation starters. If safety is an issue on your campus, perhaps bring something to a study room and offer to another student sitting alone.
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I've been married for 24 years and have four wonderful children.
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