Hi cranberry,

Universities have tons of resources and take care of dozens of students every day who are going through exactly what you are going through! Talk to your advisor and they will help you. It’s not a sign of weakness and like I said, they see dozens of students every day, especially in the first month!

Tricks that have helped me connect with other students: Nothing loosens people up and lights up their eyes like you serendipitously handing out brownies to them in class! Also, seek out the young/lost/Freshmen people on your floor/in your dorm. Tell them, “Hey, we’re going to the movies. Want to join?” Do this every month. When you are a caretaker, in a sense, of others, you will also get a reputation of being solid, a leader, a real good person to know. Another trick is to join an anime/manga/role playing/Renaissance/chess/etc. club. They will welcome you with open arms!

This is what probably happened with The Guy… After you broke up, he either didn’t know what to do, or who else to reach out to in his orbit, so in his general confusion he picked That Girl. OR, he is sending you a message passive aggressively. “Look! I’m Friends with That Girl now! Look! Look at how happy I am in ALL my photos!” Please. Even I, the realist, only post happy shiny puppy pictures. You know?

Good Luck!

Inky