<p>I am currently a student at the University of Oregon. When i originally committed to oregon, i had the notion that the university would have a well balanced social, academic, and athletic enviroment. I was gravely mistaken-- as any freshman would have i went out on the town to see how things were buzzling at night. To my suprise there was barely anything to do and the parties that were going on were either weak or being gaurded by SMS (small man syndrome) frat boys who thought they were big cheese. The social scene was so depressive it started to weigh me down, i would work hard all week and not be able to relax and enoy myself on the weekend (goin to parties). I tried to ignore the fact this is what i considered to be a big part of my college experience. I talked with my parents and i decided to stick out the year hoping that things would get better. Eventually things started to brighten but not enough for me to be fully content. I am now a sophmore and having returned to the U of O i still feel feelings of regret and uncertainity coming to this university. I don't feel like Oregon is the same school it was portrayed as a couple years ago, the students that protested and had a voice are now whispers of the past to the stickling faculty and administration that infests the campus. Sports was a huge reason why Oregon held me captive for as long as it did, and now that i realize my hapiness and well being means much more than a euphoric sports enviroment. The only school that interests me is UCSB, because it offers a major that Oregon currently doesn't offer (Business Economics), and the major is actually very strong at UCSB as well. Although the process of me transferring is very complicated and won't fully take action until fall of next year. I have two options, i can either return to the U of O for the remainder of the year and endure what i perceive as a growing case of depression or i can leave oregon and go to Santa Barbara City College to get some of my pre-reqs done before i go to UCSB. UCSB offers lower tuition because i would be in-state, better weather, a more active social life, and a better education/major. The only catch is i would have to take a semester at SBCC and i never considered myself to be a community college person. It is a very complicated and tough situation i am in, and i definitely don't want to make the wrong choice because my future life essentially rests on it. So in short, i can tough out another year of what i consider a misfit college that makes me unhappy or take a step backwards to a community college for a semester to help platform me into UCSB. Any feedback would be helpful, sorry for the rant.</p>
<p>I go to U of O and I love it here. I am a member of Greek Life though. I can tell you that parties are open to most who don't cause trouble and not during pledge. Alcohol is expensive, so most fraternity parties are BYOB. There are tons of house parties on Hilyard, Patterson, etc. People are extremely friendly here. If you make an effort, you won't have any trouble finding parties on any night of the week. There are many things to do on campus to. Have you gotten involved with any clubs, intramural sports, etc. I would recommend being proactive and getting involved on campus. UCSB is a bigger party school than Oregon, but you aren't necessarily going to be happier there. The school is actually more cliquish than Oregon.</p>
<p>I've tried to be proactive and put myself out there-- yet things to me still haven't seemed to improve. I don't care that UCSB is a party school just the fact that when it comes time when i want to have to have and party-- i don't have to go on an expidition to 25th and Harriss. A lot of my friends told me that by joining a fraternity the social life improves a lot more but i never considered myself to be a frat boy. It's all very overwhelming and i want to make an educated decision without comprimising myself for the future.</p>
<p>College is what you make of it.</p>