Hey Amy, 

So a little about me: I’m a freshman in the College from New Jersey. It’s now been about a month since NSO and moving in and stuff, but the one thing that gets me worried sometimes is that almost every day, I see people on my floor and people I know in class with all of these new friends and weekend plans and everything else. Most weekends and nights, I stay in my room and watch Netflix and stuff, not because I don’t want to go out, but because no one really asks me. I mean I really tried during the first few weeks to get along with people on my floor and do clubs and everything, but sometimes it feels really hard to keep up with everyone. It feels like everyone around me is way more active than I am, and I’m kind of scared that I’m not doing something right. 

Am I doing something wrong? I do see myself as relatively outgoing but definitely not compared to some of the other people I know around here. 

Please help, Amy! 

Sincerely,

Lonely in the Laundry Room

Dear Lonely,

First take a deep breath and remember that it has only been about a month and a half in a completely new environment surrounded by strangers! Also, even though it’s hard not to, try not to compare your experiences with what you think other people are doing. You shouldn’t feel the need to go out every night and there’s nothing wrong with relaxing and enjoying some “me”/Netflix time. That being said, it does seem that the key issue you’re experiencing is saying “no one really asks me.”

You might have to take the first step and ask someone on your floor to grab dinner or someone in one of your clubs what his plans for the night are. It is still so early in freshman year that it doesn’t seem pushy or desperate – it’s just how everyone makes friends!

Breathe, you’ll be fine,

xoxo, Amy

Yo Amy,

I’m a freshman in the MSB and just recently got into SigEp. I used to consider myself pretty on top of keeping in shape in high school, but now I’m not so sure. Being in a fraternity means I spend a lot of time around guys, and one of the things we almost never seem to stop talking about is working out and keeping fit. It makes me really self-conscious sometimes. Like, I don’t have a gut or anything but I’m definitely not as toned as some of the other guys I know.

I’ve definitely caught myself not going for another plate at Leo’s or digging into free food at my hall meetings because I’m afraid of getting fat and being made fun of by the other guys. I’ve also found myself at the gym almost every other day, like not even when I have time for it, because I’m so worried about losing track of my weight. It gets to be such a pain. I’ve never had to worry about the way I look, but now that I’m at Georgetown it seems like the #1 thing I think about. 

I’m not sure you know too much about this sort of thing, but I’d really appreciate some advice right now.

Thanks,

Yates-On-The-Daily

Dear Yates,

It is good to be aware of staying healthy especially during the first months of freshman year, but you seem to be obsessing. Yes, you don’t want to be unhealthy, but you should be maintaining your health for personal reasons, not because you are intimidated by your new fraternity brothers.

Girls and guys both put pressure on each other, usually unintentionally, to stay skinny. But, honestly, the biggest critic of your body will be you. No one’s going to notice if you gain a few pounds. Finally, if you’re so nervous about staying healthy, do something fun instead of mindless Yates all the time. Join an intramural team with some other SigEp guys or friends from your floor!

With love,

xoxo, Amy