Going away to college feels like one of the biggest steps in your newly adult life. It’s usually the first time that people move away from home and the comfort of their families. You have to meet new people and start fresh.
But it isn’t all scary, there are so many benefits to being at college. You don’t have anyone telling you that you’re spending too much time playing Slingo online or when you need to be home by.
Why is gaming so popular during college years?
- Lots of spare time
There is no other time in life where you’ll have as much freedom and as much spare time as when you’re at college. You’re at the perfect combination of being away from home and your parents (in most cases) and having as little responsibilities as possible.
This means there’s lots of time for fun! As gaming is a popular form of entertainment, this is what college kids spend a lot of their free time doing.
- A way to relax
Despite having all this freedom and spare time, college can still be a challenge. You’re in a strange city, with strange people and you’re starting a course that could come with its own difficulties.
Therefore, downtime is a necessity. And one of the best ways to relax is to do something you enjoy doing.
- Helps you make friends
Making friends at college is one of the main challenges people come across. Friends can make or break your college experience so it’s important to make friends quickly. One way to do this is to find some common ground with the people you’re living with.
Gaming is a great way to connect with people as it requires limited conversation and it’s something to do together. You can bond over your favourite games and learn more about one another in a less intense environment.
How can gaming help you at college?
- Builds confidence
If gaming is something you’ve managed to improve on, this skill can be utilized in your everyday life. Building confidence in a game is tricky to do and requires perseverance.
But overcoming this challenge and getting more confident can help you in all areas of life. Being confident in yourself and your abilities is imperative when starting at college as it can be a daunting process.
- Teamwork skills
Lots of online gaming requires working with others in order to succeed. You need to be able to communicate well and efficiently when you’re playing a game online. This is definitely a skill that can be utilized while you’re at college.
Getting to know how new people communicate is one of the biggest challenges you face when meeting new people. But if you’re already used to speaking to new people on a game, then you can use this knowledge to your advantage.
- A well deserved break
Even when there are deadlines looming, taking time for yourself is essential. If you’re someone who prefers to game alone or gaming that doesn’t require teammates, gaming can be a great way to get away from it all.
You can take time for yourself without having to socialize and talk to people. Sit back and relax and let your worries get gamed away.
- Helps with decision making
Gaming requires quick thinking and reactions. This is one skill that many people lack as they get anxious in the face of big decisions. If you’re used to making big decisions under pressure, you can use this in your college life and beyond.
What kinds of games are popular with college kids?
- First person shooter games
Ever since Call of Duty came out all those years ago, first person shooter games have been enormously popular. They have driven a lot of the development of gaming itself due to their popularity.
They first came onto the scene in the 70s but were slow to develop. In the past decade, we’ve seen first person shooters develop more than ever. They’re popular with lots of age groups but especially with young adults.
This makes them very popular with college kids - and they’re a great way for them to bond with one another.
- Racing games
Racing games have always been popular and this is undoubtedly going to continue. They’re great for college students to play as you can play them with a group of people and bond over them.
There’s nothing like a racing game night to make new friends!
- Casino games
Casino games are popular with everyone but especially with college students. You can get to know your new college friends over a game of poker. Or you could learn about a new slot game that’s out due to your newly made college friendships.
Gaming at college is a great way to make friends and brush up on some life skills. What’s your favorite game to play?
