As a senior this past spring, I had two colleges at the top of my list and ultimately just kind of picked out of a hat becausd I thought they’d both suit me. Also because college #2 (the one I didn’t pick) had two campuses (downtown and main), and I’d have to commute back and forth since most of my major classes would be in the downtown. But, that college is in my favorite city ever and everything else about it fit me so, so well. And it was even a bit cheaper than college 1.
I just got back from freshman orientation at my college of choice, and I just got this “not right” feeling. Plus, every time someone mentions college #2 or I see pics, I just have a “gosh, I wish I could be there. That place was so right for me.”
I think you might just be feeling a bit of buyer’s remorse. What didn’t you like about the college at orientation? It’s likely that the orientation isn’t really that representative of what it would be like to live and go to school at this college. Remember the reasons you chose this school in the first place, and start in the fall with an open mind. Get involved in clubs or other organizations that interest you, get to know other people in your room/suite/dorm, and take classes that interest you (and see if you can get good professors as well!).
A lot of students think they would have been happier at this college and that college, while that’s probably not that true. Many colleges are more similar than they are different, and if you picked pretty much at random between these colleges, they likely had similar things to offer you. Try to get excited about your college and keep an open mind.
My University had an orientation weekend trip for the Honors College students at the end of the summer - I absolutely hated it. I shudder just thinking about it. I remember sitting in the dormitory bed at 2am planning out my transfer application essay in my head.
Turns out the terrible-ness of the “retreat” was in no way indicative of my experience at the University. College orientations aren’t organic. They’re very structured and calculated and it can make for a pretty depressing time; orientations don’t really capture a lot of what makes up one’s college experience. (Amazing professors, bonding with peers, sporting events, etc.)
I went to orientation just a few days after final exams for the college students and it was very messy. There were construction machines, workers, and other eyesores around campus that made it seem unattractive. However, I was able to look passed that when I realized they’re sprucing up the place for us incoming freshman. :-bd