Hug a Maturey

[RedCelt69]

I'm a first year undergrad... and a mature student.

It's nearly the end of my first week and I've yet to have anyone (other than a fellow maturey today) strike up a conversation with me. For some, even eye contact is a bit of a bother. I walk the streets between lectures trying to *look* as if I'm a "normal" student. Short of popping into Bess and kitting myself out with as much uni paraphernalia as I can, I'm not sure how else to fit in any better than I am at the moment.

So go on... if hugging is too much to ask for, at least strike up a conversation... or if that's asking too much, how about returning a welcoming smile?

[Livvy]

Haha...I know where you are coming from..I have joined into 2nd yr of bio and the classes are big and some folks seem to know each other but it does feel a bit strange to be the newbie...I know I'm probably not the only one in the room. What modules are you doing and have you travelled far... I am pretty local so live at home..I guess being in halls would be a great social advantage though!

[RedCelt69]

Been studying at an Edinburgh college. Moved up from West Lothian. Not a huge trek, but I decided to save the cost of hiring a van and figured 3 trips in the car would do the job. Started out thinking "I'll never tire of going over the Forth Road Bridge". After the 5 trips it took to get everything moved, I was heartily fed up seeing it

Not in halls either. Which I know makes life more difficult viz-a-viz getting to know people. My dog meant halls wasn't an option. Ended up in a private let in Cupar. Short drive / expensive bus ride away. Again, location doesn't help any socialising aspects.

As to what I'm doing... Philosophy, Ancient History & Classical Studies... in that order. I'd hoped Ancient History & Archaeology would count as 2. It doesn't Classical Studies seemed to fit in best with other choices.

[RedCelt69]

Ewww! That emoticon

colon P is meant to be a sardonic/wry grin, not a cheesey great grin <tsk>

[Verdandi]

I think most students meet people three ways: in halls; in classes (mainly tutorials); societies. Halls seems to be the main one (however, I made most of my friends out of hall and am quite happy). Knowing that you are not in hall, I would say look into any societies you might fancy. I know that some societies namely the Mediaeval society has members of all ages from the town as well as uni so you might feel a little less obvious.

Good luck though and I will try, as always to smile when I pass people.

[zipporah]

I'm pretty sure the union rep for Equal Opps & Welfare is doing a mature students event sometime soon. Might be good to meet people in the same situation. I met a mature student who's also living in Cupar in orientation week and gave her my email to go for a coffee - I don't think it's that people don't want to talk to mature students, they're just used to seeing people their own age. I'm 4th year Classics so if I see you around the department, I promise to return your smile .

And Classoc has a pub quiz on Sunday, 7.30pm in the Whey Pat. I went a couple of times last year and there was a good mix of ages and UG/PG.

[RedCelt69]

I think most students meet people three ways: in halls; in classes (mainly tutorials); societies. Halls seems to be the main one (however, I made most of my friends out of hall and am quite happy). Knowing that you are not in hall, I would say look into any societies you might fancy. I know that some societies namely the Mediaeval society has members of all ages from the town as well as uni so you might feel a little less obvious.

Aye. I'm sure things will improve once tutorials start. That's up to 30 people I'll get to know. It's just the other few thousand that'll take some time...

I know part of the problem's with me. I've never been the sort to thrust my company on strangers. Not shy, as such, as I'm fine once I get going... more just reticent to make that first step. Especially when there's a noticeable age difference (in either direction). Convinced when my fellow students see me wearing an iPod they think I'm listening to something that'd get filed under "Father's Day Gifts" in the local Woolies CD section. Whereas I'm happily shuffling up the street to Noah and the Whale... or Elbow... or maybe the Shins. ATM it's Noah all the way. Yes.

Good luck though and I will try, as always to smile when I pass people.

Ta. Can never have too many smiles in the world. <gah!> I'll have my Bill Hicks Fan Club membership revoked.

[RedCelt69]

I'm pretty sure the union rep for Equal Opps & Welfare is doing a mature students event sometime soon. Might be good to meet people in the same situation. I met a mature student who's also living in Cupar in orientation week and gave her my email to go for a coffee - I don't think it's that people don't want to talk to mature students, they're just used to seeing people their own age. I'm 4th year Classics so if I see you around the department, I promise to return your smile .

Ta I'll keep an eye out for that event... but it's more the day-to-day busines of university life (and the people I interact with) that was my concern. But pah! It's only the first week. Sure things'll be fine soon enuff.

And Classoc has a pub quiz on Sunday, 7.30pm in the Whey Pat. I went a couple of times last year and there was a good mix of ages and UG/PG.

Hmmm. A pub quiz, you say? <stroking chin> Might be tempted.

[dw254]

Hey, another Classics undergrad in Cupar. *high five*

[RedCelt69]

Hey, another Classics undergrad in Cupar. *high five*

*high five*

Why am I suddenly thinking of Hawaii Five-Oh?

Cupar seems like a cool place. As small towns go. Ned count seems lower than the last place. Perhaps that sea air wafting some tendrils of acedemia inland.

New to Fife (passed through it a couple of years ago on my travels) and... so far... liking what I see.

[starsandsparkles]

After reading your post on the "useless degrees" thread, I'm not sure whether to high five or hug you!

[unreg]

I hate to give people older than me advice, but if I were in the same position, I would go to a lecture, sit next to anyone (including groups of people) and say "Hi, do you mind if I sit here", and then introduce myself to a group. There is no other way.

I don't its necessary to try to fit in. The oldest mature student I have seen was 70 and he seemed to do fine - partly because he was so friendly.

[RedCelt69]

After reading your post on the "useless degrees" thread, I'm not sure whether to high five or hug you!

Either/or

There's matters of opinion and there's matters of ignorance. The poster I replied to fell firmly in the latter category. I wasn't so much concerned with putting him right as I was to anyone reading such posts and actually allowing doubt to creep into their minds wrt their choice of degree.

[Livvy]

Seems to be a few people living in Cupar...maybe we should meet for a wee drink in the Drookit Dug sometime

[RedCelt69]

Seems to be a few people living in Cupar...maybe we should meet for a wee drink in the Drookit Dug sometime

Sounds like a plan. Not been into any pubs yet, but noticed the "Dug" and smiled at the name. Maybe next weekend?