Is it harder to fit in if I am less academically serious than many students around me?
Being less academically focused than many students around you does not necessarily make it harder to fit in. Friendships can develop through shared interests, extracurricular activities, and everyday interactions, not only through study habits. However, if your course or department has a strongly study-oriented atmosphere, you will still need to keep up with required work and may benefit from actively seeking classmates and activities that suit you.
Key points
- Different levels of academic commitment do not prevent relationships based on shared interests or activities.
- You still need to meet essential course requirements, such as attending classes and completing required work.
- Clubs, student groups, and smaller classes can provide opportunities to meet people with similar interests.
Things to check
- The atmosphere varies by department, course, and academic year, so check official information and, where possible, speak with current students about the specific setting.