Am I the only college freshman who didn't enjoy the first semester?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I don't usually complain like this, but this is the only place I can. I just HAVE to vent, SOMEWHERE.</p>

<p>My first semester of college is over, and I can honestly say it was just horrendous. But then again, I go to community college, so that might be a problem right off the bat. I swear I've almost spiraled into a depression. lol. </p>

<p>I'm just haven't fully adjusted to how passive, and nonchalant the college system is. In my high school, going to class is an experience. You see your friends, you meet people, you laugh, talk, etc. But in my college, everything is just so serious and unmemorable. You come in, sit down, listen to a lecture like a zombie, and then walk out with the rest of the zombies. Most of the people in my classes were much older than I was, and on the last day of finals I was just shocked at how there wasn't any sort of grand goodbye, party, or anything. I know that's how its supposed to be, but it's just so disappointing and a different experience to me. I'm a shy person, but once people get to know me, you couldn't even tell. People at my college are just so unapproachable and walk right past you.</p>

<p>As much as I'd prefer going to a university, I just don't want to live in a dorm. I honestly don't get along well with other guys so I'd easily get p*ssed at the amount ego and testosterone clogging up a dorm hall, including mine. lol. Another reason I don't want to live on a campus is because I want to do things outside of college. Although my major is Pharmacy. I want to pursue the showbiz industry and modeling on the side. I feel like being trapped on a campus limits me to silly curfews and being far away from where I need to be.</p>

<p>So right now, I'm stuck at home with my parents preparing myself for another boring, antisocial semester at the same CC unless I can find somewhere that will change things around for me, but so far, I am NOT enjoying college and I just want to rush this so it can be over ASAP.</p>

<p>Anyone else feeling somewhat similar?</p>

2

<p>This may not be what you wanted to hear, but…</p>

<p>Dorm life is where you get that social bonding you complain is lacking at your CC. Yes, the classes can be fairly impersonal and emotionless, but living with a bunch of other people for a year is how you make strong, lasting friendships. While I obviously don’t know much of anything about your situation, I’d advise you to not jump to conclusions too quickly regarding dorm life. I don’t feel restricted by living on campus, nor do I have trouble getting along with my floor mates.</p>

<p>Hope things get better second semester.</p>

3

<p>Maybe you should go to a university in a city where there a lot of opportunities for you to pursue your modeling/entertainment activities. You might wanna live off campus, that way you can still interact with students and participate in school events.</p>

4

<p>I had a similar experience my first semester living in a dorm at a college in the city, so it really can happen anywhere at any school, not just CC. Had the same desire to get out of college ASAP and still am trying to get a bachelor’s in 3 years or less because the “experience” has just not been for me. I ended up transferring to a state school, which I found friendlier than private school, but obviously you can’t generalize based on two experiences. Some people will tell you to go to a small school, some will say a big one, some say urban, some say rural, etc, etc.</p>

<p>Keep in mind, though, that every college is predominantly composed of lecture-based instruction, so that’s unfortunately not going to change. The classes are so disengaging to me, and it really sucks because high school was really interesting and I really excelled there…</p>

<p>…but you also need to find what works for you and take responsibility to get something out of lectures, as dry and boring and anti-social as they were. It gets easier with experience.</p>

<p>Real key for me socially was getting a job off-campus to meet people.</p>

5

<p>After a year and a quarter at a CC, I’m sorry to say there’s just not much of a social life to be found on campus. But there are ways to make it a little (not much, but a little) bit better.</p>

<p>In physics labs and english classes, it’s usually less lecture based. Taking those will at least give you class discussions (english) or time to chat with people while you’re working on experiments. Depending on the class, you might even have a lab group to work with.</p>

<p>Alternatively, just getting to class early can be a way to make friends. I’m generally pretty shy and I get lost easily, so during 1-2 hour breaks between classes I would always sit in the halls near the classroom and do homework or something. For… just about every class of mine, other students were there early too, and they were usually pretty friendly.</p>

<p>So yeah, school sucks, but it sucks a bit less if you make a couple friends.</p>

<p>/not helpful</p>

6

<p>I’m a little bit confused by your expectations. You just sound so generally unhappy with everything in your life right now and as a parent it seems to me that your expectations are very black-and-white while real life is really varying shades of gray.</p>

<p>You are right in that college classes are not social experiences…that’s because it’s college, not high school, and professors are not concerned with whether you are having a good time in class. They do not need to impress your parents so they will say good things to the principal about you and they do not worry about dealing with your parents on parent/teacher night.</p>

<p>Also, classes in community college also tend to skew older/more serious/less social because students tend to be older with other concerns in their lives.</p>

<p>But aren’t there clubs available at your school…get involved in something and you will meet people. Or form a study group, a good move both socially and academically.</p>

<p>But why are you taking pharmacy classes instead of classes that might help you get the career you are interested in? And if you are doing it for practical or parental reasons, what else are you doing outside of academics to pursue your real interests?</p>

<p>I’m also confused by your perception of college/dorm life. I’m not sure why you feel the dorms are filled with testosterone in the air…most dorms are co-ed these days and any testosterone is diluted with estrogen! Or why living in a dorm would restrict your life in any way…dorms don’t have curfews, and living on campus does not restrict your ability to do anything you choose to do off campus, if anything, it gives you all sorts of resources to pursue your off campus interests, such as internships, etc.</p>

<p>As a transfer student you would not have to live in a dorm anyway…you could always find an apartment close to campus, like most upperclass students choose to do.</p>

<p>Take some time to figure out what you want to do and to figure out the steps you need to do it and then take one step at a time. You will get there if you don’t keep putting up artificial barriers in your way.</p>

7

<p>Get over it dog. High school is over and you can never go back. If you want friends, then be a man and go out and talk to people.</p>

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<p>Hmmm but OP is a girl.</p>

9

<p>I think OP is a guy…</p>

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<p>I think it depends on the person. I was never close with anyone in my dorm; my friends were primarily from clubs, orientation, and, ironically, huge lecture classes.</p>