Gamer Advice: Don't Bring a Console to College
I'm sure some people will read this headline and immediately question my legitimacy as a gamer. That's fair—without owning a console in college, I haven't been able to play nearly as many games as I would have otherwise. But that's the point.
In high school, I spent my weekends ripping through the single player campaigns of games like Dragon Age, Assassin's Creed, Skyrim, and even Tales of Vesperia. I would rush home on Friday, flop onto the couch, and throw myself into a game for six or seven hours. I'd usually call it a night around two in the morning, and then I'd pass out until noon the next day—at which point I'd wake up, eat some cereal, and start the process all over again.
I didn't have many friends during my teenage years, and the few I had didn't attend my high school. To blame my lack of friends entirely on my gaming habits is unreasonable; that said, I do think gaming offered me an escape from reality. Hanging out with my buddies was more fulfilling, but video games rewarded me just enough that I preferred playing by myself to actively pursuing new friends. In other words, games enabled me.
Check out this post on my university's 'Confessions' page. What video games did to me is similar to what housing did to this person:
I had a single during my sophomore year of college, and I absolutely loved it. But because I had my own space—as opposed to my messy and crammed triple from the year before—I spent more time in my room than I would have otherwise. In a single, you can watch Netflix for five hours without anyone judging you. You can do all of your homework without leaving the confines of your bed. Singles are great for when you need to recharge your batteries with some alone time. Unfortunately, for some people, singles are too comfortable. For me, so are games.
Anyone who met me in college knows I'm very outgoing. When I walk across campus, I wave to half the people I see. In class, I talk enough to compensate for ten students who forgot to do the reading. I work as a tour guide. I organize ski trips. On weekends, I go to house parties and make out with people I barely know—sometimes people I don't know at all. (I'm not saying this last one is a good thing because I don't think it is, but you have to admit it does take guts.)
Again, I'm not going to argue removing video games from my life changed me from an introvert to an extrovert. I didn't bond with the people at my high school for a variety of reasons—I attended a Catholic, all-boys institution despite my strong dislike of Catholicism and my inability to relate to guys in large group settings.
Besides, I still play video games, I just don't own a console.
A lot of console gamers bring their Xbox 360, or their Playstation 3, or even their Wii, to college. Instead of sitting in your room and unlocking achievements by yourself, why not find people with similar interests and game with them? You'll make friends while doing something you enjoy.
One of my closest friends and I game all the time. We've logged over a hundred hours into Super Smash Bros Melee, although we finally got sick of it midway through this year. Freshman year, another popular game among my friends (mostly the girls) was Dance Central 3. I've had great fun stumbling through oddly choreographed dance routines in front of six to fifteen people.
If you think my game selection was too casual, don't worry: if you're a hardcore gamer, you'll attract likeminded personalities. I don't play League of Legends, but my school has a thriving community of people dedicated enough to set up all of their computers in a single room. And I know some girls who get together with our resident life coordinator to play Call of Duty: Black Ops every other Friday night.
Some gamers can bring a console to college and not be tempted to waste all day gaming by themselves. If that's you, feel free to ignore this advice. But for the most part, having a console makes you want to play whenever you get the chance. College gaming comes in various shapes and forms—make sure yours is social.
Follow @LiteraryGaming
In high school, I spent my weekends ripping through the single player campaigns of games like Dragon Age, Assassin's Creed, Skyrim, and even Tales of Vesperia. I would rush home on Friday, flop onto the couch, and throw myself into a game for six or seven hours. I'd usually call it a night around two in the morning, and then I'd pass out until noon the next day—at which point I'd wake up, eat some cereal, and start the process all over again.
I didn't have many friends during my teenage years, and the few I had didn't attend my high school. To blame my lack of friends entirely on my gaming habits is unreasonable; that said, I do think gaming offered me an escape from reality. Hanging out with my buddies was more fulfilling, but video games rewarded me just enough that I preferred playing by myself to actively pursuing new friends. In other words, games enabled me.
Check out this post on my university's 'Confessions' page. What video games did to me is similar to what housing did to this person:
I had a single during my sophomore year of college, and I absolutely loved it. But because I had my own space—as opposed to my messy and crammed triple from the year before—I spent more time in my room than I would have otherwise. In a single, you can watch Netflix for five hours without anyone judging you. You can do all of your homework without leaving the confines of your bed. Singles are great for when you need to recharge your batteries with some alone time. Unfortunately, for some people, singles are too comfortable. For me, so are games.
Anyone who met me in college knows I'm very outgoing. When I walk across campus, I wave to half the people I see. In class, I talk enough to compensate for ten students who forgot to do the reading. I work as a tour guide. I organize ski trips. On weekends, I go to house parties and make out with people I barely know—sometimes people I don't know at all. (I'm not saying this last one is a good thing because I don't think it is, but you have to admit it does take guts.)
Again, I'm not going to argue removing video games from my life changed me from an introvert to an extrovert. I didn't bond with the people at my high school for a variety of reasons—I attended a Catholic, all-boys institution despite my strong dislike of Catholicism and my inability to relate to guys in large group settings.
Besides, I still play video games, I just don't own a console.
 |
| I know, I know. It's mind-blowing. |
A lot of console gamers bring their Xbox 360, or their Playstation 3, or even their Wii, to college. Instead of sitting in your room and unlocking achievements by yourself, why not find people with similar interests and game with them? You'll make friends while doing something you enjoy.
If you think my game selection was too casual, don't worry: if you're a hardcore gamer, you'll attract likeminded personalities. I don't play League of Legends, but my school has a thriving community of people dedicated enough to set up all of their computers in a single room. And I know some girls who get together with our resident life coordinator to play Call of Duty: Black Ops every other Friday night.
Some gamers can bring a console to college and not be tempted to waste all day gaming by themselves. If that's you, feel free to ignore this advice. But for the most part, having a console makes you want to play whenever you get the chance. College gaming comes in various shapes and forms—make sure yours is social.
0 comments: