<p>I'll be a freshman this fall at Cornell and I was assigned to live in high rise 5. I am very upset because I have heard horrible things about the high rises: very old/deteriorating buildings, tiny rooms, no soap or hand towels in the bathrooms, etc. I am also a somewhat shy person, so I was hoping to live in a lively, social place...and apparently the high rises are extremely socially isolated. Anyone have any advice about how I can meet people and make friends now that I'm stuck in these dorms? Or is there a way to switch residences during the year if I am miserable living there?</p>
<p>The high rises, from my experience, are very social - we hung out in Jameson all of the time. The suites are designed so that you can easily meet people within your suite, but also meet other suites (its the low rises that are socially isolating, so I've heard). All bathrooms come with soap, and for the most part, you usually bring your own hand towels (though I can't speak specifically about High Rise 5).
You can switch during the year if you'd like, but give it a chance. The high rises are usually very good places to live - most people are pretty happy.</p>
<p>the high rises arent as social as dickson or donlon...but they are pretty social...the key is who your suitemates are...if they are social you can stick with them...if not it's every man for himself...</p>