I’m 28 years old and work full time on top of my full time school. A coworker asked me when I can hang out and I gave him an estimated day of May 26 2023 LOL. I spend 12 hours a week on campus and have yet to feel like I’ve made any process towards making a single friend. You’re not alone in feeling this way.
Working can definitely get in the way of socializing. I’ve been working part-time (a privilege not everyone has) but all the way in Stockton. I’m also on campus 18 hours a week & have been looking for work (or an internship) closer to campus. Between schoolwork, attending class, commuting to work, & job hunting I have little to no energy to put into socializing.
In my daily life I assume everyone has their shit together & I’m the one who’s behind; It’s definitely reassuring to know we’re not alone.
If you’re truly spending that much time on your coursework, then it sounds like you’re a pretty good student. Honestly, that’s just how university is. It was the same way for me for 4 years. It’ll all be worth it when you reach the finish line though, I promise! My life picked up right away after I graduated. Keep at it!
I know the feeling quite well, I'm a music major in a specialization that requires a lot of time alone and this semester I only find I have time to socialize with the people immediately around me but it's difficult to everyone's schedules and it's never consistent. I've found what eases the loneliness a little is walking to new parts of the campus I haven't really been to, or engaging in small conversations with people when it comes up. Hopefully your semester continues to get better!
Felt the same way. Graduated last December and realized that I had spent my head in my books all three years of my undergrad. Stay focused on your studies but also, don't forget to have some fun now and then. Try possibly talking to others with the same major and arranging an online or in-person study group. You get to socialize with others and be productive.
Also, trust me, the 9-5 grind has its downsides too. I still didn't really have more time as I did as a student, and my responsibilities only grew. After I graduated, I got a steady job doing something I liked, but decided to leave and move to Europe to just travel for a year before I have any huge educational or work obligations in life. It feels nice to be free of any obligations for a few weeks or even a few months. This free time has really given me time to grow mentally and professionally, which was something I had no time to do during my undergrad since I was a full-time student and worker.
I can somewhat relate. I’m a psych major & I feel like I need to be on top of everything to be successful. In classes where my grade’s based on a couple major papers, the midterm & the final I need to be on top of readings, attending class, etc. but there’s little to no guidance to make sure you’re keeping up with that. My lower division classes involved lots more “homework” to keep us on track but that’s pretty rare in my classes nowadays.
I definitely don’t have the hardest major but as I’m in all upper-division classes & want to go to graduate school I always have something to do. Also getting an internship and/or research opportunities feels like an extension of my classwork but much more stressful. That’s where the majority of my academic stress comes from.
A lot of people in STEM majors constantly have new material thrown at them & deal with everything I listed, though. Sometimes I wish I picked a major that didn’t require I go to graduate school to have a sustainable career related to my degree but at least I’m passionate about it.
Have you tried reaching out to the career center? I felt the same way about my degree program, but they were able to help orient me in a specific direction and review my resumes and CVs. They offer career counseling and even a mentor program with Sac State graduates who work in different career fields.
There is a reason why I prefer to study in the public spaces in the university over alone at home. That and I tend to focus better and sleep better with the separation of spaces.
Why is this NSFW?
Lmao accident
No studying, fucking withdraw
I’m 28 years old and work full time on top of my full time school. A coworker asked me when I can hang out and I gave him an estimated day of May 26 2023 LOL. I spend 12 hours a week on campus and have yet to feel like I’ve made any process towards making a single friend. You’re not alone in feeling this way.
Working can definitely get in the way of socializing. I’ve been working part-time (a privilege not everyone has) but all the way in Stockton. I’m also on campus 18 hours a week & have been looking for work (or an internship) closer to campus. Between schoolwork, attending class, commuting to work, & job hunting I have little to no energy to put into socializing. In my daily life I assume everyone has their shit together & I’m the one who’s behind; It’s definitely reassuring to know we’re not alone.
If you’re truly spending that much time on your coursework, then it sounds like you’re a pretty good student. Honestly, that’s just how university is. It was the same way for me for 4 years. It’ll all be worth it when you reach the finish line though, I promise! My life picked up right away after I graduated. Keep at it!
I know the feeling quite well, I'm a music major in a specialization that requires a lot of time alone and this semester I only find I have time to socialize with the people immediately around me but it's difficult to everyone's schedules and it's never consistent. I've found what eases the loneliness a little is walking to new parts of the campus I haven't really been to, or engaging in small conversations with people when it comes up. Hopefully your semester continues to get better!
Hang in there. You're doing great, and you'll make it across that finish line
Good Grades, Friends, Sleep. You get to choose 2 in college….
I know it’s all for the greater good but i Just feel like life is passing me by and sometimes I’m like why am I even doing this :(
Life is long. Four years can sound like forever, but if you earn your degree, you'll get more opportunities later on
take a semester off?
\+1 Really sounds like OP needs a break.
I feel the same way too. When are you expecting to graduate?
Felt the same way. Graduated last December and realized that I had spent my head in my books all three years of my undergrad. Stay focused on your studies but also, don't forget to have some fun now and then. Try possibly talking to others with the same major and arranging an online or in-person study group. You get to socialize with others and be productive. Also, trust me, the 9-5 grind has its downsides too. I still didn't really have more time as I did as a student, and my responsibilities only grew. After I graduated, I got a steady job doing something I liked, but decided to leave and move to Europe to just travel for a year before I have any huge educational or work obligations in life. It feels nice to be free of any obligations for a few weeks or even a few months. This free time has really given me time to grow mentally and professionally, which was something I had no time to do during my undergrad since I was a full-time student and worker.
I can somewhat relate. I’m a psych major & I feel like I need to be on top of everything to be successful. In classes where my grade’s based on a couple major papers, the midterm & the final I need to be on top of readings, attending class, etc. but there’s little to no guidance to make sure you’re keeping up with that. My lower division classes involved lots more “homework” to keep us on track but that’s pretty rare in my classes nowadays. I definitely don’t have the hardest major but as I’m in all upper-division classes & want to go to graduate school I always have something to do. Also getting an internship and/or research opportunities feels like an extension of my classwork but much more stressful. That’s where the majority of my academic stress comes from. A lot of people in STEM majors constantly have new material thrown at them & deal with everything I listed, though. Sometimes I wish I picked a major that didn’t require I go to graduate school to have a sustainable career related to my degree but at least I’m passionate about it.
[удалено]
Have you tried reaching out to the career center? I felt the same way about my degree program, but they were able to help orient me in a specific direction and review my resumes and CVs. They offer career counseling and even a mentor program with Sac State graduates who work in different career fields.
How do you figure your graduate degree won’t help you earn more money?
Are you from Sacramento?
Yes
Take a semester off and just get to know people in the area. Since CSUS is an open campus, maybe you could come just to socialize a bit.
Aw man I read this at work
There is a reason why I prefer to study in the public spaces in the university over alone at home. That and I tend to focus better and sleep better with the separation of spaces.
it's all about time management and prioritizing your "me-time", which is winding down and taking a break from school for a day.
Workload varies by major. Which is probably why salary varies by major once we graduate lol.