Is/was anyone else disillusioned by their first taste of college?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>Just going to add points of my own, some in contrast to points above:</p>

<ol>
<li>I dislike the idea of drinking. I’ve been around alcohol all my life, I’m not just repressed. That stuff does nasty stuff to people and I hate how people can change under the influence. This is just me, but I dislike the idea of needing help to socialize as well. </li>
</ol>

<p>But anyways, I wouldn’t recommend alcohol to kids who have developed distastes for it (which is a lot of people on these forums). It just creates more social pressure for something they will very likely not enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, open mindedness is great. But if you’re going to do it, do it for the right reasons. If you’re “disillusioned,” don’t think alcohol is going to change anything. Don’t do it just because other people say you should.</p>

<ol>
<li>It’s a juvenile mentality to always need the company of others. The people around the hall I find the most annoying are those clingy, needy people who always HAVE to be in groups of people. I think people should get used to being comfortable by themselves. I don’t think people should “always try to have dinner with a group.” This breeds people who are afraid of loneliness; those people who call five friends before going out to lunch because they are afraid of looking like a loser/loner. If those five people are busy, they end up going hungry. I really do know multiple people like this. </li>
</ol>

<p>I understand akhman’s point was to embrace socializing, so I’m not knocking him here. You just have to be very careful in your “quest for friendship.” Don’t get so sucked in that you end up hurting yourself. If you think too hard about it, you can and will create loneliness for yourself. Like I said before, everyone needs to get used to the idea of being alone at times. I think people’s fear of being alone is the #1 cause of misery in college. </p>

<ol>
<li>Take everything you see and hear with a grain of salt. Things in this thread, things you see around the forum, things you hear from other people, things you hear from me, and things you see in the media. They sometimes like to create unrealistic expectations and scenarios that you feel like you should live up to. As cliche as this sounds, whenever some sort of pressure comes up, you should evaluate yourself and see if this can realistically apply to you. If it doesn’t, be thankful you don’t have to go out of your way trying to achieve something that will ultimately make you unhappy.</li>
</ol>

<p>I know a lot of people on this forum are very academically-oriented, but remember that life is not a test. You’re not graded on how many friends you have or how happy you are compared to “how happy you should be” or “how happy this guy is (he has his own problems anyway).” Appreciate what you have, the skills/talents you possess, and the small things in life.</p>

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<p>

FAIL. People don’t need to try something to know they want nothing to do with it. Drugs are bad for you. Period. You don’t need to try it to know that. The best way not to start is not try. Your statement is extremely immature IMO. How many adults (a college student is not an adult) do you hear encouraging kids to try drugs once? They know it’s not a good idea (whether they tried it or not).</p>

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<p>erm…not another drug debate…</p>

<p>just smoke some grass…its not a big deal</p>

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<p>Alcoholism doesnt come in a bottle. It comes in your brains. Its actually all genetic and has to do with enzymes and brain chemistry. People who find the taste of alcohol distasteful are actually the LUCKY ones. Your brains are telling you its poison (it is) and your brain enzymes are screaming for you to stop. Follow that cue. </p>

<p>If you taste alcohol and LIKE it…bad news. It means you likely don’t have sufficient enzymes to block your abuse and you may well be on your way to becoming a full blown alcoholic by age 22. Your brains may well be accepting of the drug, because its masking the deficiency in another part of your brain, such as a serotonin deficiency. </p>

<p>I’m not kidding. Look it up.</p>

<p>Partying in college is not what you are there for. You are there for studying and obtaining a degree. Growing up in college is part of the experience. I am not a tea totaller by the way. But balance in your lives is very important. And following your natural body’s cues. </p>

<p>People who want to go to college for football, socializing and drinking are really wasting a lot of money and valuable time. We live in difficult economic times and its going to become more and more competitive for jobs…professional jobs…as jobs go overseas to find cheaper labor rates. </p>

<p>I recommend anyone who is struggling to persevere and see how they feel in March…things do get better. Upper classmen courses are often better and smaller. Intro courses often have the worst professors and often they are adjuncts not on tenure track. </p>

<p>Become active in college in groups, clubs and associations consistent with your best qualities and interests, and which allow you sufficient time to balance your work load. </p>

<p>“hooking up” is a dead end street and may be more than you bargained for with std’s and frankly, serious mental health issues later on in life as you regret your choices. I’m no prude. But its better to be in NO relationship or a monogamous and HEALTHY relationship, than to be “hooking up” on weekends with random chicks and dudes. </p>

<p>For highschoolers ■■■■■■■■ here…you will see and hear stuff in the dorms that may be inconsistent with your values and inconsistent with your academic objectives. Ignore them. Go to the library and study. If your roomate is a problem ask to make a change. But don’t be a pain in the ass either. Be as accepting and low key as you can. Sometimes the biggest pain in the asses are the weird nerds and OCD types. Just because some people make poor choices doesnt mean you have to join them to be “accepted.” </p>

<p>The cream rises to the top. I can assure you it wont be the party animals and the whores. Keep focused on your graduation dreams and VISUALIZE Phi Beta Kappa…and it will happen. </p>

<p>Good luck to all. If you have transferitis, hang in there and see if it doesnt improve in a few months.</p>

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<p>"If you taste alcohol and LIKE it…bad news. It means you likely don’t have sufficient enzymes to block your abuse and you may well be on your way to becoming a full blown alcoholic by age 22. Your brains may well be accepting of the drug, because its masking the deficiency in another part of your brain, such as a serotonin deficiency. "</p>

<p>A+</p>

<p>Alcoholism runs in my family. I find alcohol to taste okay (high concentrations not so much, but a good craft beer tastes wonderful to me). Needless to say I have to be very careful with how much I have because I could easily end up like my grandfather.</p>

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<p>DC…glad you recognized that. Good lad. Sorry that Santa Clara didnt work for you. A Jesuit education is awesome. But you will find Maryland a zoo…its huge and has a lot of wild kids. I have friends of friends who went there. So be CAREFUL. Drinking is almost a requirement at Maryland. </p>

<p>Alcoholism is indeed genetic. So monitor it closely as you grow older. It will consume you and destroy you eventually. (Actually the brain chemistry changes in alcoholics and they are less and less able to put the brakes on…which is why total abstinence is the ONLY solution for them.) </p>

<p>Best of luck in school. Find happiness and contentment from WITHIN yourself. Ignore the partyfools…and blow right by them academically. Have fun…but HEALTHY fun. </p>

<p>Hang with kids who are academically oriented…not nerds and pencil necked geeks…but solid kids…and chase your dreams.</p>

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<p>I plan on doing AFROTC (or being in the USAF Reserve) so I’ll be amongst good folk. Thanks man.</p>

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<p>Uh, SWHarborfan–when I see the initials USC here in CA I think of University of Southern California. Why? Because Santa Clara is NOT University of Santa Clara. It’s Santa Clara University. So you might be able to shorten it to SCU, but NEVER USC. Two different schools, the latter being better in my humble opinion. :slight_smile: Fight on!</p>

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<p>^ Or… university of south carolina ;)</p>

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<p>DCHurricane, I’m assuming that College Park is local to you…(it’s local to me as well! Hooray MD). Dorm life in College Park is VERY similar to what you have described at SCU, so, if you do live in the dorms, I hope that you get placed somewhere quiet. Only freshmen and sophomores really live in the dorms, but junior and senior year people find other places to live. (One of my friends who currently attends CP, currently in her junior year, lives in a house with six other people about five minutes biking distance off campus).</p>

<p>Good luck, I hope you find happiness at CP :)</p>

111

<p>I think a few people are misinterpreting earlier quotes about drugs and alcohol.</p>

<p>If you don’t want to do those things, then absolutely do not do them. I personally do not use drugs and I rarely drink, but I don’t knock people who do if they use responsibly. Some drugs/plants are obviously harmful and I’d never advise such things, but others are relatively harmless. </p>

<p>The main point is that college is a rare opportunity in life to really explore yourself on multiple levels (not just socially, but academically as well). Don’t be afraid to expand, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You might be pleasantly surprised. That being said, don’t blindly jump into things without knowing the consequences. </p>

<p>Some people hate the taste of alcohol, and that’s perfectly fine. If you don’t want to drink, don’t. My tolerance level isn’t super great and so I’ll only have a few drinks and call it good – or I’ll stick to diet sodas/water (which is what I get 80% of the time). But don’t drink if you don’t enjoy the way it tastes or the way it can make you feel, and definitely don’t drink if you’re not responsible enough to handle yourself. What bothers me are the people who have never had alcohol and yet berate people who drink (even if socially) regardless of whether or not they use responsibly. There’s a difference between a responsible user and someone who gets overly hammered every chance they get – and it’s unfair to generalize one way or the other.</p>

<p>Regarding the comments earlier about groups: There’s nothing wrong with trying to find groups to eat with, although it can be an issue if you’re too dependent and can’t function by yourself. The advice given by other posters (and myself) earlier was meant to help those who are new to the college experience and need help making friends and meeting new people.</p>

112

<p>

</p>

<p>Quoted for truth. Well said. Explore your limits (I don’t mean drinking/drugs), have fun and learn something about yourself you would otherwise never have discovered.</p>

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<p>IMO there is no such thing as responsible drug use. Using drugs is irresponsible. Even small amounts can impair your judgment. Alcohol is a drug too, but it is definitely more socially acceptable. I do think that alcohol can be used responsibly. I don’t think all college students know how to drink responsibly though, therefore I don’t think I would encourage people to try it unless they were smart about it.</p>

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<p>I don’t see how there is no such thing as responsible drug use. If you can use drugs and not affect other people, or yourself in a negative way, isn’t that responsible drug use? If you don’t think people can use drugs in such a way, than you are indeed an idiot, and hopefully your college education will allow you to see the world more clearly.</p>

<p>Drugs have a lot of good uses. Weed brings people together, chills people out, and can be used for medical purposes. Mushrooms and Salvia can be used for meditative purposes. </p>

<p>My recommendation to college students is that if you can’t get addicted to a drug or overdose on it, you should give it a look. Things like weed, salvia, shrooms, and lsd aren’t addictive and are impossible to overdose on during any type of normal use you will have.</p>

<p>But you should only try harder drugs like salvia, shrooms, and lsd if you do your research on what happens, and be in the right mindset for it. You have to be ready to handle some of the thoughts or visions that you would have on those drugs. But if you can handle that, those drugs are great for seeing the universe better and understanding the world better. But they should not be taken lightly.</p>

<p>Weed is very soft. Just go smoke with some friends and enjoy yourself. Just make sure not to smoke if you have a drug test you have coming up (and if you have been smoking, and have a drug test coming up, try to quit 3-4 weeks before the test, take a detox program if you are still nervous about it, and do the urine test tricks to further pass the test). </p>

<p>I’ll just say this. I’ll say this, alcohol is the only drug I’ve had times where I’ve had bad times on. A couple blackouts, and one nasty hangover in my life. But all of the times I’ve drank have been positive outside of those few times, especially since I stopped drinking hard liquors and just switched to beer.</p>

<p>I will also say this, I have NEVER had a bad time after smoking weed. NEVER. It just makes you hungry and happy. The one time I took mushrooms was one of the most mind opening and memorable nights of my life. </p>

<p>If you are responsible enough to use drugs, I would recommend trying a few out. Just make sure to do your research and be in the right mental state when you’re doing them.</p>

115

<p>

I am well past college. Ironic that you’re encouraging drug use and then you’re telling me to see the world more clearly. My opinion is drug use is a bad idea. You think otherwise, which is your opinion, and that’s fine. You’re entitled to an opinion.</p>

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<p>You clearly can’t see the world clearly if you think there is no such thing as responsible drug use.</p>

<p>If you have no Friday classes, no work, and you decide to smoke, play video games, and eat doritos all day, what exactly is irresponsible about that?</p>

<p>If you smoke some salvia to meditate, what is irresponsible about that?</p>

<p>If you take some mushrooms and watch a movie, so that the movie seems more “alive” so to speak, or just to take a walk and enjoy nature, how is that irresponsible?</p>

117

<p>

so if smoking weed was more socially acceptable, you would think it’s ok? why is drinking any more responsible than doing drugs? small amounts of both impair judgment</p>

<p>I don’t think there’s anything wrong with either except in excess. my parents taught me to drink responsibly and alcohol was never a big deal in our home - so in college I had no desire to get ridiculously drunk all the time. sure I drink, but in moderation…rarely do I get drunk. </p>

<p>the only drugs I’ve done are weed and acid. the lsd was back in HS and a bad idea in retrospect. It was “fun” but not worth it imo because I had 2 weird experiences with this and I think it’s a dangerous drug. but weed wasn’t bad at all and I don’t look down on anyone for doing it - makes you relaxed with no hangover afterwards. I think it’s the only recreational drug i’d ever do again. </p>

<p>I’m not ignorant about drugs and their affect on the brain - I’m a chemistry and neuroscience major so I’ve studied drugs a lot, have worked in med labs for years, it’s not like i’m some dumb pothead :stuck_out_tongue: I just think it’s weird when people are ok with drinking and not with drugs - binge drinking is way worse than pot imo</p>

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<p>Deja vu, anyone? I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before…</p>

<p>If nothing else–if you believe that certain drugs will not hurt you, if you believe that whatever state of awareness you are in after consuming said drugs has no impact on the people around you–the use of controlled substances is illegal. So is the consumption of alcohol if you are under the age of 21. Whether you agree with these laws or not is irrelevant here. Campus authorities are required by law to turn students caught with or under the influence of illegal substances over to the police, and many schools have strict policies of their own when it comes to dealing with their students’ behavior.</p>

<p>I’m not here to judge anybody. But you’re going to have to forgive the many posters on CC (including adults who have more than twice the life experience of any college freshman) who do not equate breaking the law with responsibility and see the world quite clearly even if they see it differently than you do.</p>

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<p>^ Look, everyone knows the use of recreational drugs or underage drinking is illegal. If campus police catches anyone drinking or doing drugs, of course there’s going to be consequences. (although my college officials don’t give a crap about drinking, they know it’s what college students do, and don’t get puritanical about it). It’s not like the college students doing drugs and drinking underage are confused about whether it’s legal or not…:)</p>

<p>Not that i’m one of those people who think you have to drink/do drugs to have fun in college…lots of my friends have never tried drugs and some barely drink (one literally never drinks because she’s diabetic, and has tons of fun anyway). hey, I completely get that some people won’t touch a drop until the magical age of 21, won’t use drugs unless their doc signs a permission slip, will always wear their seat belt in the car, etc…that takes a lot of effort and it’s kind of impressive. but I don’t like it when people put down anyone who strays from that kind of ideal, especially because it’s unrealistic.</p>

<p>my parents never told me, “never drink!” they taught me binge drinking is stupid and that if I was going to drink, how to be responsible. I think parents with the “never drink!” mentality do a disservice to their kids, like an abstinence-only type mentality…just my opinion</p>

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<p>No one’s putting anyone down except akhman24, and I never said whether or not it was my ideal.</p>

<p>I just wanted to point out that the someone who doesn’t see things that way is not an “idiot” who “clearly can’t see the world clearly.” Respectful, intelligent discussion is always a good thing…one that I hope everyone has the chance to experience in college.</p>