Quick question from new nervous dental student

[dentalman85]

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So I'm finally going to dental school!
First off, I'm a long time forum lurker. Been reading for about 2+ years but never really created an account so I wanted to say thanks for all the info and inspiration.

That being said, I'm pretty nervous about my fellow classmates.
They've already created a facebook group and are interacting already talking about meeting up and living together and this and that but I'm a homebody, not as outgoing and enthusiastic I guess.

My question I guess is, is it easy to make friends with everyone in dental school? I'm going to one of the bigger class schools (won't say which haha) and I'm worried I won't make any good friends or that only the outgoing people end up joining clubs, or getting research, getting friendly with staff, etc. Not that I'm going to be introverted but I'm just really, really shy.

Thanks for all your help thus far. I really appreciate everyone at SDN, even the trolls for providing laughter.

 

[EOS 7D]

Home is where you make it.

Honestly, dental school will suck big time if you're doing it alone. Part of the entire experience is meeting new people and building friendships not only as peers now, but future colleagues as well. Dentistry is a career where communication is absolutely critical, and a lot of the interpersonal skills you will develop start in dental school. I'm sure whichever school you're attending will have mixers and get togethers during orientation where you will be introduced to plenty of people. However, what you do after, in terms of pursuing that friendship and maintaining it, will ultimately decide whether you face four very tough years alone or together.

My advice to you is to throw yourself out there and see if you like it. For me, i'm also a homebody myself, but I need to let loose every once in a while to stay sane. Stay true to yourself, and don't do anything uncharacteristic just to fit in. You made it into dental school, which means your communication skills during your interview must have been pretty good so don't worry too much. Good luck!

 

[Doc Smile]

There are people in our class that are more homebody's, don't go out, don't hang out, just sit in lecture and then go home. Everybody is friendly to everbody else unless they have a bad history or something.

It's not high school. people aren't going to call you four-eyes, throw their pudding at you during lunch, and make you eat in the bathroom stall...

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

You have four years of dental school. I wouldn't worry any of this right now. That's a heck of a long time for people to get to know you.

Think of high school, you likely had different friends towards the end of school than at the beginning. It takes a little while for people to find their niche... and it comes naturally.

 

[dentalman85]

thanks for all your input guys!
I will definitely make an effort, but I just don't want to seem like I"m trying to hard and get left out or whatever.

It usually takes me a long time to become friends with someone and I guess 4 years will be plenty.

Thanks!

 

[beeho]

I feel you, new stalker dental student (jk).

You should be who you are and be excited for your new life!

However, you need to be proactive in talking to new classmates and form your smaller and tight group! it's so much easier to get through hell when you have buddies to ride along with you.

good luck and congrats!

 

[slm266]

You can join the Mormon clique of whichever school you go to. Go to www.mormon.org for info.

 

[setupben]

You have four years to make friends. I don't care how shy you are, you are going to get to know these people just by association.

They will sit by you in lab, lecture, clinic, rotations, etc... I would suggest that you just be friendly, but be yourself. It will work out with them, you will have friends but maybe just a little slower.

However, in clinic being social is very important with patients. Check out the book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" to improve your interactions with people. Good luck!

 

[slm266]

However, in clinic being social is very important with patients. Check out the book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" to improve your interactions with people. Good luck!

great book, everyone should read and re-read that book.

If you've been pretty antisocial before, start with baby steps. Smile, make eye contact with, and say hi to strangers as you walk in public. Be the one to initiate conversation and get people to talk about themselves. Be genuinely interested in others, and they will be interested in you. When you don't care about others that you interact with, it's hard for them to care about you. Baby steps.

 

[jirotrom]

You have four years to make friends. I don't care how shy you are, you are going to get to know these people just by association.

They will sit by you in lab, lecture, clinic, rotations, etc... I would suggest that you just be friendly, but be yourself. It will work out with them, you will have friends but maybe just a little slower.

However, in clinic being social is very important with patients. Check out the book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" to improve your interactions with people. Good luck!

👍👍👍 great book 😀

 

[SoulPower]

👍👍👍 great book 😀

This book is available as a pdf file, just searched on google. Just started reading it.

 

[Sauce]

You can join the Mormon clique of whichever school you go to. Go to www.mormon.org for info.

This is true. The website is great for learning about the religion but religion aside us "Mormons" aren't trying to be a clique, we just aren't into the bar scene and some of us have families so its easy to relate with one another. I am a Mormon and the rest of us try to hang out with everyone but if it is a bunch of us hanging out we are happy when others come along. PM me if anyone has questions.

 

[BizzyV]

www.craigslist.org

 

[dentalman85]

I guess it will take me awhile, but just out of association, I'll come to know my classmates haha.

I just don't want to be that guy in the room, who tries too hard so it ends up being awkward I guess haha.

Time to go read that pdf. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Doc Smile]

You can join the Mormon clique of whichever school you go to. Go to www.mormon.org for info.

TOTALLY joined the Mormon clique without converting. Probs the one of the only group of people in my class that is both mature and has regular non-alcoholic, family friendly events. And, since my wife and I are preggo, it is nice having friends with kids/growing babies. Dont dis on the Mormons. Plus, they are really accepting bc not many people can stand looking at this guy for too long (this guy below is me, not photoshopped or nuffin)

 

[Andre3k]

So I'm finally going to dental school!
First off, I'm a long time forum lurker. Been reading for about 2+ years but never really created an account so I wanted to say thanks for all the info and inspiration.

That being said, I'm pretty nervous about my fellow classmates.
They've already created a facebook group and are interacting already talking about meeting up and living together and this and that but I'm a homebody, not as outgoing and enthusiastic I guess.

My question I guess is, is it easy to make friends with everyone in dental school? I'm going to one of the bigger class schools (won't say which haha) and I'm worried I won't make any good friends or that only the outgoing people end up joining clubs, or getting research, getting friendly with staff, etc. Not that I'm going to be introverted but I'm just really, really shy.

Thanks for all your help thus far. I really appreciate everyone at SDN, even the trolls for providing laughter.

You should become a more social person. Especially since your career is going to be largely dependent upon how well you interact with people. Challenge yourself to develop this aspect of your personality. A new group of people is the perfect opportunity.
I was slightly concerned about my social skills as well coming in so I became Social Chair of my class. I did this to force myself to interact with more people. Maybe you should try doing something like that.
Embarrass yourself if you have to. Mess up as many times as you can. That's the only way we grow as people.

"The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment he can tolerate." - Douglas Engelbart

 

[Bereno]

like everyone has said here, just practice beign social. Nothing big, just small steps at a time. 👍

 

[Bereno]

TOTALLY joined the Mormon clique without converting. Probs the one of the only group of people in my class that is both mature and has regular non-alcoholic, family friendly events. And, since my wife and I are preggo, it is nice having friends with kids/growing babies. Dont dis on the Mormons. Plus, they are really accepting bc not many people can stand looking at this guy for too long (this guy below is me, not photoshopped or nuffin)

Thats so funny! You must be my twin 🙄