15 Die-Hard Habits Of Awkward, Anxious College Students | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

15 Die-Hard Habits Of Awkward, Anxious College Students

We get comfortable with being uncomfortable

56
15 Die-Hard Habits Of Awkward, Anxious College Students
NBC

If you're anything like me, lots of everyday college situations can get you into a bit of a tizzy. Transitioning into college isn't an easy process, and some things just don't get better right away. Old habits die hard, you don't always know what to expect, and there's always that nagging voice telling you you're doing things wrong.

Because let's face it: we don't really know what we're doing all the time. Ladies and gentleman, I present to you the die-hard habits of anxious college students:

1. Walking Out of the Semester's First Classes Still Knowing Next to Nobody's Name

It seems like everybody else already knew someone else in the class or picked up on everyone's names quickly. But you've been in three other classes this week already. At this point, it's all blurring together and you just want to go home. But it's one of your only chances to get to know everybody at once. Sometimes you just have to hope you'll never be assigned group work.

2. Not Knowing What to Call Your Professor and Settling for "You"

People have so many titles. Sometimes you just don't know when it's appropriate to call a familiar professor by his or her first name, or when they should be addressed formally. Usually you just avoid using names at all costs.

3. Taking Forever to Write an Email


It always seems like the wording is wrong. Is it weird if you put "dear" in the first line? "Dear So-and-so" sounds so familiar. I think I'll just put "Hi...." Does this sound professional enough? Does it sound too professional? Do I come off as pretentious?

4. Waiting Until Class is Done to Leave the Room for Anything


Have to pee? Too bad, you'll have to cross in front of the whole room to do it and everyone will notice. You don't want an audience, do you?

5. Always Needing to Know Exactly Where You're Supposed to Be and When So You Don't Wind Up Alone

You text your friend every day when you're done with class before lunch, even though you both have class until the same time. You know, just in case they've decided they no longer like food.

6. Having a Mental List of Fun Facts About Yourself Just for Icebreakers

It's not that you're vain. It's just that you have nothing to say about yourself otherwise. And you have to have more than one, just in case somebody from your first class is in your third class, too. You don't want to sound dull.

7. Emailing Professors Instead of Taking Advantage of Office Hours

I mean, sure, you could go see them in person and get it over with. And sure, they may not email back in time. But hey, it saves you the awkwardness of an in-person conversation! And this way, you can get right down to business without having to ask about everyone's day.

8. Avoiding Social Events at All Costs

A party? Where there will be people? I don't think so.

9. Taking the Same Seat in Every Class, No Matter What

You'd rather die than sit across the room. After all, it's the only spot where you can learn. (That is, unless you have a friend in another spot.)

10. Avoiding Laundry Until the Last Minute


Because the creepy basement laundry room is...you know, creepy. And you don't want anyone to see your dirty polka-dotted underwear.

11. Making Up Excuses Not to Do Something

"Uhh....I'm busy then. I have a meeting at that time." (With Netflix.)

12. Knowing an Answer in Class, but Not Raising Your Hand to Share


And then the professor calls on you. Who wants to be wrong in public? "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." -Abraham Lincoln.

13. Awkwardly Looking at Your Phone Instead of Making Small Talk

There's nothing worse than an awkward silence in a conversation with a stranger.

14. Being Unable to Tell When It's Appropriate to Leave a Situation

Can I go now? Do I have to say goodbye to everyone, or just sneak out the back? Sneaking out sounds good...

15. Trying to Blend In and Act Like You Know What You're Doing


Actually, no, this a good habit. Fake it til you make it!


In the end, it turns out that everyone has their anxieties and awkward moments, and we all still manage. College is a great time to learn from our mistakes and get comfortable being uncomfortable. Best of all, we awkward people flock to each other, band together, and become ridiculously close friends.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

727
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

579
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 20 Thoughts College Students Have During Finals

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

33
winter

Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

2514
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments