Ask Eric: Making friends, changing your major and the ‘MRS’ degree

Editor's Note: Ask Eric is an advice column published every other Wednesday. Anonymous questions are taken from this Google form. Questions are also taken both from The Collegian's Instagram, @thecollegianur, and via email, collegianaskeric@gmail.com. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of The Collegian.

Hello everyone! Sorry that it has taken this long to get “Ask Eric” started this semester. At first, no one had any questions! I guess people have been relying on their “friends” and “support systems” and “therapists” for advice, and not their friendly neighborhood anonymous advice column in the student newspaper that they don’t read! I am truly shocked!

But, in all seriousness, I too have been extremely busy, and I have not checked the Google form as frequently as I would have liked to. So I decided to check today and alas! There were questions! So let’s get started, and remember to submit any and all questions to https://forms.gle/ypTbuYb5qVaMiTk47. 

I'm in my second year here and I still haven't made any friends. How do people do that?

Even though I am THE Eric, I can admit that this is a tough question. Class of ’24 has had it pretty hard. You had to face your first year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-vaccinations. Understandably, you may have not socialized much during your first year. I’m going to give you cliche advice that will be disappointing and yet unfortunately true. Give it time. 

No motivation to get out of bed. 

Well, that’s not a question, is it? In all seriousness though, sleep is not for the weak. If you don’t sleep, your immune system will go berserk, and if it is not a physical problem, you should ask the professionals, CAPS, for help. 

How late is too late to change your major?

*reads this* *types “when are major declarations due urichmond” into Google* Apparently, it's due at the end of your second year, but, according to my sources, you may be able to change your major into your senior year. Now, don’t quote me on that, maybe just ask your adviser.

How do I convince my family that I'm not here for my "MRS Degree"?

UR does not really have the “ring by spring” reputation, so I’m surprised to hear this. There are a lot of rich people here, though… maybe you should consider getting the degree, you’d be set for life.