<p>I'm a college freshman at NYU, and I just started here about a month ago. The first 2 weeks were great, but ever since then everything's gone downhill. First of all, most people here seem to be seriously lacking in their maturity levels. Everyone on my floor i so obnoxious, all they want to do is drink, and I don't really associate with them anymore. My suite-mates are part of the whole floor crowd too, so I find myself keeping my door shut most of the time so that I can concentrate on my homework (which I have so much of). My professors are weird and talk about everything in a sexual manner. I know that sounds strange, but it's true. This school is so liberal that literally anything goes, and the instructors seem to stress that in class. I have very few friends here, and I find that I mostly hang out in the city on my own because nobody else wants to. I feel like my hobbies and interests are totally different from everyone else's - everybody here is into the arts except for me. Also, it's almost impossible to transfer to Stern (I'm in the College of Arts and Science), and I have decided that I want to major in business. I don't want to keep shelling out $60,000 a year for a school that isn't worth it, especially since I plan on going to law school later on. I'm just stuck and lonely and I really don't know what to do at this point. Any advice would certainly be appreciated.</p>
<p>Don’t have any advice other than to open up a bit more or wait it out. It’ll take time to meet the people who share the same interests as you. I wish I could swap schools with you…I’m trying to transfer to NYU.</p>
<p>Honestly, I can understand what you mean about the drinking/clubbin crowd (im not a part of that either) but you have to understand that’s prob much bigger at other colleges and much more weitd if you don’t participate (that’s one of the good things about nyu, no one cares what you do). You should try joining clubs/gym/sports that interest you and hopefully find like minded ppl. I understand what you mean about the noise level, so just go to the lib or study room in your hall. I can’t solve you prof problem (I got good profs), maybe you just got unlucky/did you use ratemyprof?</p>
<p>Probably the only thing I can tell you is you do transfer to a public uni, I don’t see the drinking/prof situation get any better as well as alternatives to do to that. Transferring to Stern is hard but is possiblr -> I’m assuming if you’re paying 60k you can afford nyu so just try to enjoy it!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>NYU has one of the smallest ‘party scenes’ because our dorms as well patrolled. RAs usually shut down parties pretty quickly. Thus most students just go out to bars etc. for parties. At other colleges, this isn’t the case. State public universities are usually much worse in terms of the party scene. </p>
<p>As previously suggested, try joining some clubs etc. And go to the library, study area or kimmel (on the uppers levels they have some nice seats with nice views) to study. </p>
<p>I’m not part of the ‘party scene’ either but I have plenty of friends here; a few of whom go to parties, but that doesn’t prevent us from being friends. Try making friends in some of your classes, people at NYU are usually pretty friendly. Professors being weird isn’t unusual. NYU is a very liberal school, so that’s to be expected. Most people that I know however don’t usually stay friends with the people they meet first semester. Usually only the people they meet second semester or sophomore year (when things have become a bit more normal). So give it some time before you decide you hate the place.</p>
<p>yeah i’m sort of in the same position as you. freshman at nyu and i want to go to law school after undergrad so i’m trying to figure out if this is really worth the cost. but i’m definitely waiting out the year to see if it gets better.</p>
<p>Is NYU worth the expense? Would you find life at another large university significantly different? These are hard questions, and I wonder how much others can help you answer them. :(</p>
<p>You’ll do better for law school as pre-law in NYU CAS. I agree with everyone else, get into some clubs or extracurriculars and make friends that way. There’s also a listserv for substance-free living, it’s called SWOS (Socializing Without Substances).</p>
<p>If you’re really interested in Stern apply as early as possible. Harder to transfer as a sophomore looking to begin junior year.</p>
<p>Also, if you’re at NYU and unhappy, join the crowd …</p>
<p>It can be really difficult making new friendships. This is my first semester as a transfer student at NYU and live in an apartment on the UES, so I’m about 15 mins away from NYU on the 6 line. I’ve basically only made 2 “actual” friends and 1 “potential?” friend. The hardest part is going from the classmate level to the friendship level for me since I only really meet NYU students in my classes.</p>
<p>What I love about my classmates though are the maturity levels. Everyone is older, more mature, and vast majority have jobs. I study real estate at NYU but am also practicing real estate in Manhattan. I don’t know what your interests are but if you ever want to hang out sometime, I’m always looking to kindle new friendships! I love the arts, museums, and such but have MANY other interests as well. I never got into the whole college party scene at my old school (IU… which has a HUGE party atmosphere) and don’t care to drink even though I’m 21.</p>
<p>^ Since emails aren’t allowed, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you’re going through what many young people go through when they move. Change is hard. What do I know? I moved from Canada to the States during high school; it was h*ll. I was 16, had all the friends in the world in Canada, everything I wanted. I’d lived there my whole life, and moving just turned my life upside down. I know when you don’t want to like somewhere (I definitely didn’t want to like my new home and area), it was easy to pick on every little thing and turn it into a negative. But hey, you live in New York City; I DREAM of living there. I’ve been to a lot of places, and I can’t think of anywhere that beats New York City.</p>
<p>It’s such a big city, I know for a fact there are people out there with the same interests at you. You just have to get out there, be social, and those people will come to you. Again, I know it’s tough, I really do. But make the best of it. You’re only young once. Go to any college, and there will be drinking. And hey, nothing wrong with drinking; it’s a social thing. You can hang out with people who drink; doesn’t mean you have to drink.</p>
<p>Of course, I don’t know you personally, but I believe that you can make it through this and really come to like NYU. It’s always tough at first, being somewhere new. Get out there and make the best of it; you only live once. :)</p>
<p>Wow, good advice from all.
The first semester ended up being the hardest for my daughter, although she never let on til much later. It can be an isolating experience especially if you haven’t found your tribe yet. You are stuck with roomates the school picks out and everyone is anxious to find their peeps even if it means doing things they wouldnt normally do. She was so much better the second semester because she was more at ease and into the flow of NYU. My D is now a senior and her best friends are the ones she met second semester and they are all still together, from diff NYU schools. I think the best advice is to join some interesting clubs and meet a wide circle of people. Dont be so harsh on your suitemates or floor mates. Everyone is trying to fit in and doing things to find their tribe. As another poster pointed out, you will harly be friends with people you meet first semester.
Hang in there.</p>
<p>Hey fairy</p>
<p>I think before you take a decision you should consider the following</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What is it that made you choose NYU in the first place, I am sure you will come up with many good reasons and those should be your focus.</p></li>
<li><p>You need to get out of your room to get rid of this lonely feeling. Remember for all freshman it is their first time out and therefore friendships will require effort. I know the degree of effort required varies. It only gets easier when we learn to be less judgemental of others and accept them for who they are.</p></li>
<li><p>When I was checking about roommate selection guidelines for my D I was advised it is a good idea to share room with people from other school. And as far as studying schedule is concerned, Bobst is the best place to do it. Possibly you might meet more likeminded people there.</p></li>
<li><p>Joining a club is a great idea. It not only pushes you out of the room, it also helps you explore activities that will keep you occupied with other people involved in the stuff that interests you and engages you at the same time. So less time to brood. </p></li>
<li><p>Also the library and club will force you to interact and therefore socialise with people who might be from other floors or dorms and they could be also from your own , it is just you have not had the opportunity to meet with them.</p></li>
<li><p>The professors will change, come January.The classmates will change too. And May 2012, the dorm will change too. Hopefully by then you would have befriended somebody who you share common interests and might want to room with.</p></li>
<li><p>I was at the parents welcome and the first couple we bumped into were the parents of transfer student from CAS to Stern. So transfer is not impossible.</p></li>
<li><p>Who is to say even if you transfer to another school, that place will not have the issues you are facing here and maybe that will come with their own set of issues.</p></li>
<li><p>Give it time, make effort, be forgiving, be a little magnanimous towards others who indulge in immature behavior. And I am saying this as a parent of D. I totally understand it is hard. But trust me this too shall change.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So cheer up and I wish you the very best. Take care.</p>
<p>Nyu Tisch is one of my prospective schools, and I want to write comedy television and work at NBC, so nyu is a pretty damn good seeming option, but thats my big concern, I’m not really the artsy turtleneck type, I’m a Normal guy who dislikes the maturity level of his school, but I’m just hoping that if I go to nyu I can meet some mature comedy types instead of musical theatre wine tasting types, I guess social difficulty comes with the no campus territory</p>
<p>True, the NYU experience can be difficult without the well-defined campus, though if you go during class break times, you will see many students walking the streets near Washington Square and a little beyond, which allows you the feel of a campus.</p>
<p>However, NYU is very big, as well as NYC, so people expecting to have smaller group interaction that is compatible to their personalities, interests, etc. will have to work at it. As the posters above mentioned, you have to join activities close to your own heart. For instance, fairy011, you can consider joining and going to the events sponsored by the Pre-Law Society at NYU, which seems to have some good activities.</p>
<p>Drinking is a big problem on many campuses, but maybe more evident at NYU, because much of the partying takes place at the many bars in neighborhoods around NYU. My poor S, who never, ever comes near the stuff - alcohol and drugs, the one who had to be persuaded to return to his public high school from a private HS sophomore year because he had heard of drug/ alcohol use in the public school, got called out by his NYU RA, along with all his suite-mates because one of the two suite-mates who replaced his group of friends in his dorm suite, is into drinking. I got a nervous call from S, who expected the school to contact the parent. I let S know it was probably only a warning because there was drinking in the suite and everyone was held responsible, even those not drinking. Hopefully, the one suite-mate who got everyone called out will honor his promise not to bring alcohol into the suite again.</p>
<p>So, yes, this can be an issue. Beyond these real issues, there is the other side of NYC; rich in experiences and opportunities for people who do not remain passive. As I mentioned before, S got into the NYU Mock Trial, did well as a newcomer, then found music to be a major interest and love for him. So, he opted out of Mock Trial this year (and pre-law). At first, I was a little disappointed, knowing how selective the Mock Trial team is. Then I thought about it, newly minted lawyers have been documented as having a hard time getting jobs. So, best thing is to let S pursue his interests and trust in his ENTHUSIASM for NYC and its many opportunities. Lo and behold, S’s interests led him to a very meaningful and unique internship in the music industry starting his sophomore year. So, I know he will do well. In the meantime, in contrast to some of the lonely people trying to adapt to NYC, I am glad S has found his niche at NYU/ NYC, like other posters have noted here for themselves or on behalf of their children. I hope you who are unhappy and looking for your niche will find it and get to a better place.</p>
<p>At this point, I still shudder at the amount of money spent on education at NYU, but I am beginning to appreciate that at least the money is well spent when my S is so happy and thriving with the beat and rhythm of the NYU and NYC. I could not be happier as a parent knowing my child is doing so well. He loves his classes, his ECs and now a top-notch internship. Really, the NYU/ NYC networking and learning opportunities can be second to none, when you find your footing and your “tribe,” as MilkandSugar named so well. However, as in most things in life, you have to be actively pursuing what is important to you. Do not get too down and passive; get going to do something to make your situation better for yourself. Things do change when you take charge of matters and become active in problem solving the issues of most concern to you.</p>
<p>GL and the best in looking for the match between yourself and a core group or core activity at NYU/ NYC. I would love the opportunity to live in NYC myself, but I cannot afford it for now. 
So when we have time, hubby and I make the trip out to NYC for the theatre, concerts, etc. Take advantage of all the cultural activities with discounted tics for students. Find someone to go with, see Vihzel already is one person (out of many if you can find them) who are open to new friendships. :)</p>
<p>By the way, hello to all my friends on this forum. I have been lost in my own major move from Long Island to NJ. So glad it is only a “local” move and not one to the other side of the country. The new place has water damage and dealing with contractors is not fun. Also, packing (gradually) and getting rid of 13 years of stuff from two houses (no, make it three places, if you include cleaning up the new condo we inherited) feels like an unending and thankless job. (Shudder.)</p>
<p>Anyway, there are some really helpful/ caring people here. So, for the “lost souls,” this is a good place to start to get some direction and suggestions. :)</p>
<p>I have to agree with most that you need to give it more time especially since you chose NYU above other schools for a reason. My D (now a Junior at a different “in-city” campus college on the East coast) experienced some of the same things - to the point of having furnishings ruined from her room mate bringing home drunk friends. She never wanted to come home but had quite a wake up call that first semester after coming from an all girls Catholic school on the west coast. </p>
<p>Two things: 1)everything you are feeling is completely normal and 2)find your own interests - my D has told me that she can’t imagine attending any other college.
She joined the dance team, is a tour guide, and joined a sorority that fits her goals/personality. She loves it. Hang in there!</p>
<p>Fairy011,
Hang in there!
My daughter, who had very few friends in high school, took to NYU like a fish to water. She is also not into drinking, drugs, or the party scene, but by joining clubs and getting involved in activities, she is extremely happy at NYU. We never thought we would see her with such an active social life, so we’ve been pleasantly surprised. NYU has also provided her with opportunities for both a part time e-tutoring job and research projects with professors in her field. She is so happy to be living around people with common interests. The way she initially got to know people was via NYU facebook sites. Please try to put yourself out there and meet people who you’ll have things in common with. In such a large university, there is sure to be a group of people you will feel comfortable with. Good luck!</p>
<p>Evolving: Nice to see you on the forum again! I have not been on much, due to work demands and trying to get my 16 year old daughter prepared to take the first round of the SATs. This is akin to banging my head against concrete! I’m glad to hear your son is doing well and has an internship that he enjoys! My daughter just sent in her application for a summer internship at Google. Keep your fingers crossed. We know this is highly competitive, but feel cautiously optimistic. Her sophomore year is shaping up to be a good one. She is involved in two different projects with professors, finally got into a class she had been waitlisted for (it only took 3 months of lobbying the department–ha! They finally let her in the day before classes started), and is generally busy, but happy :o) I suppose with effort, all things are possible!</p>
<p>Fairy:</p>
<p>You can always transfer.</p>
<p>As for going to law school, I strongly recommend that you don’t. There is a vast over-supply of lawyers.</p>
<p>You would be better off majoring in business, and getting a BBA.</p>
<p>I could write pages on this subject. Not only based upon my own experience, but also on the experience of a myriad of friends and co-workers over the years.</p>
<p>Ha, floridadad55,</p>
<p>I had heard for many years that a large majority of lawyers were dissatisfied with their profession. It turns out hubby is one of them. So, from personal experience, I say, being in law is not as easy or fulfilling as some may think. However, to each their own. If it is really what makes you tick and stimulates you, then by all means, go for it. The important thing is the fit for the individual. Though, of course, there is always the pragmatics of all of this. The question has to be a balance of: “Which field do I enjoy and yet is a good field to get a job and allow me to make a living?”</p>
<p>We have a friend who spent his freshman year at NYU last year and was very unhappy. He never settled in, even though he did make a few friends. He has transferred to Tulane this year and is much happier now.</p>