Socializing an important aspect of college experience
Iliana Deanda and Lisa Kane
When you begin college, a huge social network is practically dropped into your lap. From the guy sitting next to you in Chemistry class to the girl sitting on the bench across from you; everyone is
potentially your friend.
Just looking around the campus anyone can see groups of people who already know each other, a handful of people sitting listening to music or studying, and almost everyone else is walking around campus looking down texting on their phone just to pass the time between classes.
In some cases we are all guilty of it.
So, what is it that deters students on a comfortable community college campus from being social?
“When I sit down next to someone, I glance real quickly and then ask myself if it’d be more awkward to sit in silence with this person or if they’d actually be interesting to talk to,” said student Michael Marcanti.
Sociologist Joanna Chamberlain agreed that judgment plays an important role in friendships from the beginning.
“It’s human nature to quietly analyze your surroundings, so of course judgments are made. Perhaps what most people don’t realize is that these judgments are pre-conceived notions, most of which are far from the truth. And you’re never going to know the truth unless you take it upon yourself to ask,” she said.
Meeting new friends on a busy schedule is a difficult balancing act.
It seems that most people are hesitant to accept an invitation into a conversation with a stranger.
One time we sat down by a student to see how they would react and that student just got up and left to sit at an empty table.
Life outside of school is busy, but we shouldn’t let that get in the way of conversing with someone when were already here, and it certainly doesn’t make being rude acceptable.
“It’s important to allow conversation and observe your social surroundings,” Chamberlain said.
So we say, the next time you’re sitting around doing nothing on campus, take it upon yourself to start a conversation with someone.
We know that socializing can be an uplifting and educating experience.
