Will college fix my lacking social life?

frivolousmint

I’m going to NUIG this September & I’m quite excited. I live in the countryside & I’ve felt stuck in a rut for years. There were only 15 girls in my year at school and they were really cliquey. I got kicked out of my clique in Second Year and never fit into the others. I was really shy and socially anxious and studious/nerdy , which didn’t help. I’m quite lonely in truth as I haven't had a friend to go for Walks/ to the cinema with since, excluding my ex.

Thing is, I feel I’m better outside of school. I’m good friends with a girl who works in the same shop as me every summer. I’m not really shy outside of school nowadays, if anything. I’m friendly.

Does it get any easier in college?

Liamario

It's a fresh start. Nobody will know you and you really can feel more comfortable being who you are. Be excited.

Ursus Horribilis

Yes, college should be easier for you, as long as you put in a bit of effort. Just about everyone in your year will be trying to make friends so it's a great opportunity for you to meet new people. Talk to everyone, accept every invitation you get (within reason, obviously ) and you'll be fine. Good luck!

SimpleDimples

I would have a similar experience in secondary school to you but really enjoyed college.

There's so many more opportunities to make friends in college- classmates, housemates, friends from clubs and societies etc. There's a lot more people & its easier to find people you click with.

I left college over 10 yrs ago but two of my closest friends are people I met in first year in college and I'm still in touch with some others too.

You forward to it, college is so much more enjoyable than school!

Purple Mountain

You should be very excited.
One person you meet in college can open up the possibility of 3 more people through friends of friends etc.
There will be people from all ages and backgrounds there so you will easily fit in with similar people.
Don't just tie yourself down to one friend or one group, get mixing in the different lectures and be sure and go to your tutorials because these are so intimate that you will find it much easier to get chatting to people one to one.
You say you work at home in a shop?
If there's some weekend, you are not, try and stick around in Galway with some others not heading home or blag an invite to someone's home place for the weekend to an 18th or something.
And join at least one club/society that really interests you.

shakeitoff

Not necessarily but if you aren't naturally introverted it should be no problem. Does depend on what you study. I did Arts, I knew hardly anybody from my Economics class save for the people that were in my language classes. I was pretty pally with them and even went away. Didn't exactly socialise with them but loved them and we'll probably meet up over the years.

LegacyUser

I was very shy in secondary school and didn't really have any close friends. I was friendly with lots of people but I wouldn't meet any of them outside school or anything.

Starting college was a chance for a completely fresh start for me since 99% of people in my course didn't know me and wouldn't have any preconceptions of me. Even though I'm fairly introverted, I made a big effort to talk to others in my course from day 1. I became friends with people I sat beside in my first lecture.

It's crucial to make an effort to get to know people in the first few weeks as after about a month or so the various groups were more or less formed and people stopped making much of an effort.

Joining clubs/societies is also a good idea, although I didn't really make friends through them as the ones I joined met so infrequently.

Big Bag of Chips

I heard a phrase here one time and it is very relevant here 'Wherever you go, there you are'. It means you are the same person, wherever you go, so if you want college life to be different for you then you are going to have to put the effort in. You are going to have to be a bit more forward. Introduce yourself to people. Take the first step. Luckily most people in your class will be in similar circumstances, knowing nobody and a bit nervous. Find a friendly face on day 1 and sir beside them, have a chat. Include the people behind you, in front of you.

It can feel a bit forced at first, but it's breaking the ice, and once it's done it becomes easier. There will be people you click with, there will be people you won't. And secondary school is only a few months ago so you might still encounter the 'mean girl' type who stick to their cliques. That's fine. There'll be plenty of others, and also mature students who will be more than happy to not be involved in any of that.

Enjoy college.

JackTaylorFan

It can greatly improve your social life, but don't expect it to be handed to you on a plate.

NUIG is an amazing campus, with lots of diversity - it will be a world apart from you cliquey country girls.

Join socs if that's your thing, get involved. Enjoy. Just try and mind the drinking, some go a bit mental with that.