spearmint

I've just finished my first week of my MPH and I feel as though I'm having a very tough time meeting people. My classes are very large (about 200 people) but if feels as though everyone already knows each other and has friends. I have noticed that there are a few people who, like me, seem not to know anyone. My problem is that I simply don't know how to approach these people or how to meet people in my program? Is it worth signing up for student organizations and events? How did you meet your friends in grad school? Will it take longer than a week to meet people? I'm a naturally shy person but I usually don't have trouble making friends. It's leaving me feeling uncomfortable and slightly out of place. I don't know if it is because I'm a couple of years older than most of the other students; most seem to be 22/23 and I'm 27. I also don't know if it is because I don't live on campus (although very few people do). I did not move cities for school, so I do have a lot of other friends to spend time with, etc. It'd just be nice to be able to have some friends at school. Any advice would be very welcome!

ETS Book Test 1: V: 168 Q:159 ETS Book Test 2: V:166 Q:157 PowerPrep 1: V:169 Q:158 PowerPrep 2: V:166 Q:155 Magoosh Score Predictor: V: 161 – 166 Q: 156 – 161 Real GRE – Frist Attempt: V: 166 Q:152 Real GRE – Second Attempt: V: 165 Q:155 I’m quite disappointed and will be taking the test for a third time to raise my scores (my quant score in particular). I think that the ETS tests provide the best indication of how one will score on the actual day. However, I think it’s important to bear in mind that nerves can greatly affect how one will actually score. Also, I made use of Score It Now and found it to be very accurate. I wrote 4 timed essays using the software and it awarded all 4 essays a 5.0 – which is the exact AWA mark I received for both my attempts at the GRE.

Hi all, I'm thinking about taking some courses as a non-degree student to enhance my applications (as my undergraduate degree isn't directly related to the field I want to pursue), and I was wondering if anyone knows whether non-degree students are eligible to attend/present at conferences and university research days? Thanks!