College is about more than hitting the books. Make sure you have a healthy balance of social activities.
Set social goals. Get to know one new person a week. Try that new restaurant. Invite someone to get coffee. It may sound counterproductive to the study-centric college life, but unhappy, lonely students are more likely to drop out. College is a whole new world. Step into it. Make an effort to get to know people. Know that other students are doing the same.
Join at least one campus organization. It doesn’t have to be a fraternity. It can be the campus newspaper or intramural dart-throwing team. Joining campus organizations connects you to campus, which will help you stay and graduate.
If you’re commuting, transferring from another college or attending community college, this is especially important. It may be hard to fit this in between classes and work. But consider it a good investment in building a social network that can be your safety net and your springboard to everything from party invites to a cool internship connection.
Choose the right friends. OK, some things never change. The same advice parents and teachers stressed in high school rings true in college. Who you hang around with directly affects your grade point average. So avoid the beer-guzzling, no-study crowd or the marijuana majors. Find people who share your goals — and study habits you want to develop.
Work it, baby. Regular exercise makes you happier and smarter. That’s just a fact. It even helps you sleep better — very important if your roommate snores. Most campuses have recreation centers that students can use for free or dirt-cheap; some offer low-rate classes. Remember, you’re not reinventing aerobics here. Just get out and do something physical several times a week, be it walking, bike riding, Frisbee, whatever.
Volunteer. Consider alternative spring breaks or community service. Most advisers recommend this for academics or resume-building. But what better way to meet community-minded people? And by offering service, you are following a recent, admirable calling. College students are volunteering in record numbers. Join them, help others and feel better about yourself all the way around.
Understand what it means to be a roommate. We often think of having roommates. We think less often of what it means to be one. Think of treating people the way you’d like to be treated. When you’re studying, would you want your roommate holding loud cell phone conversations? How do you feel when your roommate invites someone else to spend the night or even move in for a few days? Remember to be up front with your roommate about what you don’t like. Be receptive to the same message from him.
Try something entirely new. Colleges attract lots of guest lecturers, performers and exhibits, often for free or at low student prices. You may never again have so many cool events to attend at such bargain-basement prices. Checking these things out can help you discover a possible career, a new interest or a new friend. If nothing else, it offers a delightful, out-of-your-box evening away from studying.
Think global, socialize local. Globalization is requiring everyone to open up to the rest of the world. You can do this by studying a new language or by studying abroad. But an easier way is to get to know a foreign classmate. It’s a great way to learn about different cultures and countries. Hearing about the challenges they face, such as homesickness, may help you handle your own worries more easily.