The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth
by Alexandra Robbins
(Robbins is also the author of The Overachievers.)
This book really spoke to me. Not a day goes by where I think to myself, "I'm really weird." Like, I know that I am very very very strange. I don't think like a lot of people, I have different (off the wall) opinions, I don't like normal things that college students should like.
It's always bothered me that I'm not "normal." I was a mathlete (and loved every minute of it) during middle school. I had a small, close group of friends in high school.... but I had very cliche High School Movie moments. I won't get into the details of some of the things my classmates did, but trust me... it wasn't pretty.
I felt so connected to a lot of the characters in the book for one reason or another. I don't think I could have read it at a better time, however. I think it would have given me a bit of relief had I read it in high school, but I was more or less satisfied then.
But now... I'm not on the rowing team anymore. The only thing I miss, frankly, is having people to eat meals with from the team. It's also made me reevaluate what kind of energy I want to put into "friendships." I think my current friendships have been strained and tested. Especially with Little V not on campus with me, I feel a little isolated.
This is not to say I don't have friends, because I do. But only in the sense that I can find people to talk to in my classes and I'm not scrambling to form groups with strangers for projects. I don't have close enough friends to sit with in the dining hall, for instance. I'm not signing up for senior disorientation because I don't have a close enough friend group. It's weird, and yea, a little sad.
After reading The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth, however, I feel more comfortable to reach out to new people as friends and I also feel more comfortable with the label of quirky.
Anyway, the book is great for geeks, nerds, artsy people, (fill in with any social "label"), and even popular kids. Parents, teachers, and really any member of society would benefit from the book!
xoxo
Hey Carly-
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate! I'm a junior in college, and I don't really have a close-knit group or a "best friend" that I really connect with. I'm worried I'll look back on my college years and regret that I had a different kind of experience than most. But then I remember that that's just "me"-- I've always been one to bury myself in the books rather than pursue a social life. I'll definitely be checking out the book!
Carly, I just happened to check your blog tonight, and I really appreciate this post. After transferring colleges and having a great first year, I'm really struggling with friendships in my final year of college. I have a few wonderful, close friends, but this year, after breaking up with my boyfriend and losing friends to study abroad programs and the real world, I feel excluded and isolated from my own group (basically my version of your crew). Thank you for being so honest in this post - I had a pretty awful day yesterday, but knowing that I'm not the only one who hasn't had a "perfect" college experience definitely makes things better.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, reading through some of your posts and seeing all the big strides you made in your recent projects had me thinking "my gosh - this girl really has it all together, it must be so easy for her to forge these new connections, network, and make lots of good friends!" I've struggled my entire life with the same thing, feeling "different," and assuming that everyone who seemed to have it together never felt the same way.
ReplyDeleteIt really is comforting to know I'm not alone. Also, it's amazing that you put it right out there - personally, I'm too scared to let anyone know that I may be lonely sometimes. You truly are an inspiration!
I don't think you could have been this post at a more perfect time! I have been feeling the same way this year at school. It's nice to know that someone who seems so happy and successful like you still struggles with the same things I do! I have friends at school that I hang out with, but sometimes I feel like I am so different from everyone else. Thanks for writing this post...it makes me realize I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion - join a club. One that doesn't take up as much time as your rowing. I think its hard to find a group of friends randomly at any point in college- I know few people who are still close to the random people they lived with freshman year.
ReplyDeleteMy best friends are all from a college club I joined my freshman year. I was very shy and somehow it seems more manageable and less scary when you're in a group that at least has 1 thing in common. It's also helped me meet new people once I was done w/college, which is a whole other ordeal of meeting people!
Carly,
ReplyDeleteI totally resonate with what you are saying. I too am in my senior year at college, and am finding that I have less friends friends.I have always been a bit different (nerd is an under description for me) Most of my friends were older than me and have now left campus. I feel bad because my weekends are not nearly as busy as they were during my earlier years. I have friends but they are more let's go get lunch friends and catch up then let's go out at night friends. It's nice to know I'm not alone!
~Blair
This blog post really hit home to me because a couple of years ago I cut off my best friend. There was a toxic relationship between us and I just couldn't take it anymore. After that I had a string of bad friends and never found another best friend figure in my life. It's been incredibly difficult to find a close knit group of friends since then so I know exactly how you feel! I think I am going to read this book because I can definitely resonate with it. I also was not exactly the prom queen in high school and had a little bit of a hard time during those four years of my life. I am glad to not be the only person to feel this way :)
ReplyDeleteTotally understand! I am transfer student (junior) at a new college and I have not really gotten to know many people yet. So isolation has become the new pink for me, since I wear it everyday now. Not to mention the workload is ridiculous, I don't know if I'll ever have a moment to socialize ( this is especially thanks to your motivating message about formin good academic habits) :-)
ReplyDeleteHey, I feel the same way to most of the time. Although I have a small group of friends that I can go to, but we practically don't discuss much things apart from school work. Also, it's kind of hard to hang out together due to different class timings. Well, I think I would probably sound weird but sometimes I really enjoy being alone because I feel I get more accomplished and I feel "free-er" because I can be more spontaneous.
ReplyDeleteGreat book Carly! Looking forward to your next book club selection:)
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