Over the course of my posts, I think I have definitely showed my bias in terms of building friendships and gaining life experiences… and I’m about to do it again.
After walking past the same people in the hallways, sharing the kitchen with the same regulars, and bumping into people in the lobby on a daily basis for about ten months, it’s hard not to pick up some social connections. As I’m typing this, the door to my room is open to the world of STARS and there are the random passersby that have camped out in my room for a hour or two, the people who chat for a bit before moving on, the pairs that sing show tunes at the top of their lungs, and those that pass silently. If you’re looking for a place to study, generally there are occupants in the classroom or in the study lounge that you can join. Need a person to eat with? Hang out in the lobby for five minutes and I can pretty much guarantee someone else is headed that way, too.
The connections you make aren’t even just cool for the purpose of having people to hang out with, this is my networking plug. You’re probably not really worried about networking at this point, but really… the people in STARS all have just as many connections in the world as you do. Your roommate is active in the Young Democrats, the guy down the hall is Student Government, the girl across the hallway works at a daycare down the road. There is an unlimited number of connections just doors down the hall from you. If you need a job, ask around, someone probably knows about an open position and can put in a word. Need to make a short film project for class? The guy you eat breakfast with is really good at working lights. There is an ocean of untapped potential that you have access to just by living here. I’m still really close to my friends from freshman year and probably will be for years down the road, and the only thing we had in common to start with was the building we lived in.
Photo courtesy of Blake Elermann, also of STARS.
Speak Your Mind