<p>So I just got back from orientation, and I have to say.. not liking Binghamton so far.
I really tried my best to make friends, but no one seemed interested. Everyone I met was either a complete toolbag or was too shy to say anything. Although could that have to do with the communities they're living in? Cause most of the douchey people I spoke to were living in Dickinson or Newing in the fall. I didn't meet too many people who are staying in my community in the fall, which is CIW. Will the people be different at CIW in the fall?
Well, regardless, that wasn't my only issue. I also felt like such a number. I know, I know, I should expect that from attending a SUNY. But still, it was so frustrating trying to sign up for classes. Even before sign up started, you could see that most of the classes were filled up from previous orientations, which is a little unfair considering not everyone can go there on the same dates. So yeah, scheduling was hell, and I didn't get too many good courses. I'm fine with most of them, except for this one english class I have to take that's a 300 level course. The reason I took it was because my advisor was pressuring me to take a class that would fulfill my writing requirement for gen ed, but what do you know, most of the 100-200 level courses were filled. So that 300 level course was basically my only option.
I feel like in terms of classes I was just choosing from the scraps. And honestly I have a feeling I'm going to do terribly in that 300 level english class, especially because I have a slight learning disability that impairs my reading. I'm still prepared to work hard, but I'm just frustrated that it'll be more difficult for me because of that.
It also irks me that some of the classes literally had capacities of 10 people. Like WTF? Do you know how much that limits your options?
I don't know, I'm just not getting a good feeling about Binghamton. I'm prepared to try it out for a semester, but is it crazy to think about transferring in the spring if I don't like it?</p>
<p>I think you just need to take a deep breath. If you go in with a bad attitude, you’re gonna have a bad time - that’s guaranteed. </p>
<p>You have to realize that many people are nervous at orientation, so their “toolness” may be a function of that. Further, the people at your orientation may be not your kind of people! Going to a large school is great because there’s a higher chance of meeting people with similar interests as you. Again, going in with a bad attitude about your classmates will cause you to have a bad time. I myself went in to Bing with a bad attitude - I felt that I was going in way smarter than everyone else, and everyone was beneath me. Not only was this patently untrue, it kept me from making friends that I could have had for a lifetime.</p>
<p>And don’t fret too much about classes; you’ll be able to get into some classes when people drop the class in the first few weeks of the semester. Further, you have plenty of time to take the 10 people classes (which, btw, are usually discussion groups) so you can take all the lame prereqs or geneds now.</p>
<p>Just take a large step back, and start your college career with eyes wide open. And, of course, if you’re still not happy, you can always transfer.</p>
<p>Try to switch to a 100 level English course soon. Consider consulting the Students with Disabilities office now.</p>
<p>OK, I understand the bad vibes. Unfortunately Binghamton caters to some groups of people more than others. You can feel very out of place. Imo, binghamton can feel like a very segregated enviroment where people dont branch out of their safe zone and dont learn how to respect people different than themselves.I would still give it a chance. Maybe you’ll meet nice people in your dorm.</p>
<p>If you still hate it after a year, then consider leaving.</p>
<p>It might help for you to, as the previous poster said, take a breath but also consider the reasons you chose this university over other universities and colleges. Often students choose schools that they work very hard to gain entrance to but then once in, are unhappy about the other aspects to the school. </p>
<p>First consider why you chose this school over others.That will help you re-focus on the positive things that you sought. Now remember that there are always going to be some things about a school that you like less. If you go to a small private college, you get very personal attention, instructors who view teaching, mentoring and advising as a key part of their role and classes rarely are already filled. But, some students find such small places stifling. They are expensive, often leaving little to spend on other things and, especially those pitched to mid-range students, they tend to leave students with debt. There might be less choice of courses and the research opportunities are going to be on a narrower range of topics. </p>
<p>A large public university like Binghamton is an affordable, efficient way to get the degree. Especially for those viewing college as a credential to use for entry to jobs or professional schools, it is cost effective. It is also a school where you will probably encounter many from your high school rather than not knowing anyone so it is usually within most students’ comfort zone. It is usually within reasonable traveling distance to most student’s homes. There is rarely a disconnect between the level of rigor in high school and the courses at Binghamton. Grade inflation means most students can appear competitive for professional schools later. There is a broad range of classes and for those interested in research, a broad range of topic areas. But with all that comes some inconveniences like larger classes and being one of 15,000 students in a school with a faculty student ratio of 1:20. But that would be true even at schools like Rutgers or Stony Brook. </p>
<p>There are some aspects to attending a large public university that are inconvenient but there are aspects of attending a small competitive college that can be problematic too. There are pros and cons to every school even if it was your dream school. </p>