[nabs-l] how to meet more people and get involved in activities

Mon Jan 25 04:44:21 UTC 2010

Becky,

Another good suggestion, at least for campus is to maybe ask someoen
in your class if they would like to form a study group.  you would get
two things accomplished then: studying and making new friends. :)

I know what you mean about making friends.  I'm not really one to jump
in a conversation unless directly spoken to...then you can't get me to
shut up.

I'm not sure what year of college you're in, but i know public
speaking is a gen ed class.  In that class, at least in mine, we had
to write an informative speech and present to the class.  Mine was on
the "dos and don'ts" of blindness. you know: don't be afraid to use
the word look in our presence, do talk directly to us, etc. that
really got me to open up to people and it eased the atmosphere around
me with my classmates.

I find another thing that helps is, if your class it partaking in a
discussion, join in as much as you can.  I go to a community college,
so this is easier than if you were in a large lecture hall.  the point
is, the more you talk, the less people get nervous around you, and
even if you're shy, people will come to talk to you.  Sometimes that's
what it takes.  You have to show people that you have your own
thoughts and oppinions so that they're not afraid to ask you more
about them, and to approach you.  It gives them a reason to talk to
you without them thinking they will offend you.

On 1/24/10, Briley Pollard <brileyp at gmail.com> wrote:
> Sometimes it just takes stepping a little out of your comfort zone and
> striking up a conversation with someone who you find interesting. If there
> is someone in one of your classes or at your church that you want to get to
> know, you extend an invite to lunch or coffee or something as simple as a
> study group. More structured social environments like clubs etc are also a
> good idea, which some people have mentioned. I had a hard tme making friends
> after I transferred universities. But once I forced myself out of my shell a
> little, people weren't as aloof as I originally thought.
>
> Briley
> On Jan 24, 2010, at 9:29 PM, bookwormahb at earthlink.net wrote:
>
>> Becky,
>>
>> I know what you mean.  I also have always have a hard time making friends.
>>  When you walk into a room of general conversation, its hard to join in
>> because you don't know who is there.
>>
>> I'd say start finding out what is offered on campus.  What clubs and
>> activities are there?  Go to the student activities office and find out or
>> go online to the activity page if that is accessible.  Fingure out what
>> you are interested in and hopefully there will be a club with that
>> interest.  What is your major?  Often clubs are made for majors.
>> For me I joined a few things but still it was hard.  Not all the same
>> people came to every meeting and I did not always know who was in the
>> room.  I recognized a handful of regulars by voice.  I joined a bible
>> study and did some campus ministry volunteering such as stuffing backpacks
>> for children.  I also joined the psychology club but that was not very
>> active.
>>
>> Good luck and let us know how it goes.
>> Oh for off campus that is a big challenge due to transportation and other
>> factors.  I suggest going out with friends to the mall or coffee shop;
>> they could drive you.
>> Check the newspapers and you might find some opportunities to volunteer in
>> the community too.
>>
>>
>> Ashley
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Katy Carroll <kc2992a at student.american.edu>
>>> Sent: Jan 24, 2010 7:08 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] how to meet more people and get involved in
>>> activities
>>>
>>> Dear Becky,
>>>
>>> I am a student in Washington DC, and I have a generally quiet
>>> personality,
>>> so I sometimes have a difficult time being social and starting
>>> friendships.
>>> I have been able to overcome that though. my best advice to you is to
>>> find
>>> something you are passionate about and find the club on campus that best
>>> fits what you like to do - and show up at their meetings. Tat way, you
>>> will
>>> be immediately surrounded by people that you automatically have something
>>> in
>>> common with. No need to search for a conversation starter.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> Kate
>>>
>>> On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 3:28 PM, becky sabo <beckyasabo at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dear List,
>>>> My name is Becky Sabo.  I live in Englewood Colorado.  My question is
>>>> how
>>>> to
>>>> get involved on campus and off campus to meet more people and also get
>>>> involved in other activities.  I do not have a lot of friends and on the
>>>> weekends I am usually board because I do not have plans to do anything
>>>> or
>>>> with any one.  If any suggestions I would appreciate that a lot.
>>>> Sincerely
>>>> Becky Sabo
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf
>>>> Of Rachel Jacobs
>>>> Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 7:12 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] question about Jaws and PDFs
>>>>
>>>> Hello. I am a jaws user and I can't seem to get PDF files to read using
>>>> jaws. Does anyone have any suggestions?
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Rachel Jacobs
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Kathryn CARROLL
>>> American University
>>> 631 521 3018
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>>
>>
>> Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
>>
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>
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