(Rant/Diary below. Just skip to the very bottom)

I'm just surfing on Facebook while I'm studying for Econ, and I realized how much people have changed O.o

Ugly, nerdy, formerly unconfident people are trying to look as best as they can (I kinda cringe... I know it sounds arrogant, especially when I'm not a looker myself) and dress in the Starbuck hipster kinda fashion.

Formerly preppy kids are now just party animals, way beyond what they used to be in High School. It's kinda embarassing when your parents can easily look at your profile pic at least, and you're doing something stupid.

I see so many fellow Freshmen trying to get a new start and feeling super confident. Me? I've lowered my expectations before I even came here. I knew that I wasn't going to be getting A's, or at least getting them easily. I knew that Freshman year is going to consist of 101 classes so I shouldn't even feel that great if I do well in those. I knew that dressing differently and "college" like isn't going to do anything.

I did join a power lifting club, and at least I found something to do. Although I still look out of shape. But it's not like I've joined the power lifting sub culture. I'm more like a tag along. I've always been that way O.o just tell me what to do, and I'll do it. That's what lets me get early success in anything, and doesn't let me go any further than that (since I lack passion to go beyond).

I haven't really decided or discovered what I want to be now. I feel like I've become more anti-social and misanthropic if anything =/

Yeah, so pretty much nothing new. I wonder if my current state is good or bad. At least I'm not feeling over confident or arrogant (in terms of academics at least) so that's positive. At least I'm not worried about superficial shit. Bah, now I'm just using this thread as some kind of fucking diary.

So: How did you (and other people you know) change after going to college?

Iv changed somewhat since starting to go to college, if anything iv gotten more serious about my life and career, other then the not caring kid I was in HS

It was a while back, but at University in my first year I partied so hard I had to retake 4 out of 5 exams to stay on my course! Mind you after than I made sure I passed with flying colours.

I think that, depending upon your childhood, College or University marks a big change in your ability to define yourself and rebel (if you feel they need).

I wouldn't worry about feeling some are going to far or losing their cool. Just don't let yourself feel closed out from having fun as well as learning.

I changed for the better, I believe. I got more confidence that's for sure. Thanks to one well-placed joke at our first college people knew my name and recognized my voice and actually came up speaking to me. I retained my openness to everyone and showed a fair amount of intelligence so eventually I became the go-to guy to explain things which is quite a step up from just being labeled a nerd... Plus I was actually asked to come along to bars by other people, didn't had to stick to my old circle of friends or invite myself.

I also had bought new clothes but nothing along the line of what you describes. I went from sweaters and baggy trousers to jeans and T-shirts.

I am still friends with the people I've known my entire life and rarely see or speak to my former classmates again despite the awesome years in university. Still, the confidence boosted my social skills a lot and I like that!

My friends... well some faired better then others. Two have become so serious they have actually become boring. Living together or being close to that, career and still stuck in the town I grew up in without any intention of changing anything, ever. We can't even get them to go out enjoy the nightlife in Amsterdam.

My two best friends, one of which I live with have become more adult. They haven't lost their tenure for fun, pranks and humor but look at life a lot more serious, which I enjoy.

And two of my other friends have just gone more whacked out than they were. Being a Lt for the marines and heading a sorority will probably do that to a person. I still wouldn't like them any other way.

Hrm. On the outside, I'd say me / my friends (from before college) haven't changed at all. Funny, now that I think about it.

As for myself, well, I guess I'm still in college. I've had a ton of time alone here, meaning plenty of time to think about... stuff. My philosophy on life has changed radically, going from a conformist, to, well, less so. For example, I used to go and hang out w/ some people, simply because I cared about my "image," as opposed to doing what I want (like, playing more video games). I like the progress I've made, so far.

For the most part, though, I'm the same kid from HS.

Things haven't changed too much. I've grown older, more mature, and take life a bit more seriously.

I grew up more. Honestly, during the last couple of years (I just started university), I've changed a lot, in the way of maturing, growing older, knowing what I want to do with my life. Not really much in the way of what you describe though.

Hell, my first two months of university have already given me a great boost in confidence.

All I can really say is that I live the life I want to live. It's great

I have a family, a loving wife and I am about 70lbs lighter. I am also way into video games and deeper in debt. My views on a lot of things have softened - but the basics are still there.

The main thing? Women. In college, I was clueless. However, my junior year, I learned so much about women it wasn't funny.

Now, I'm in my 30s and having a blast. I love being a dad - and glad I don't have to try and land a job out of college.