In Progress

Social Foundations

Avoiding isolation

Every job has a professional home—engineers have IEEE, accountants have AICPA. Student memberships are usually cheap. Use Meetup.com or Eventbrite for local professional events. Most professionals love helping students. One event per month connects you to jobs that aren't posted online.

Isolation is the biggest risk to your mental health. It happens slowly, you stay home one night, then two, and suddenly you feel like an outsider.

Never study in your bedroom. Go to the Student Union, the Library, or a local Coffee Shop. Even if you don't talk to anyone, being in a "social energy" zone prevents the brain from feeling lonely.
If you haven't spoken to a human being (other than a cashier) in 24 hours, you must leave your house. Go to a club meeting or just sit in a park.
Sign up to be an Orientation Leader or a Campus Tour Guide. These roles force you to talk to dozens of people every day. It "gamifies" social interaction and kills shyness quickly.
Use meetup.com . It connects you to local hobbyists outside of campus.

Free Resource: Beating International Student Isolation

Resources

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