Basically, I am currently a freshman commuting to my local university. I can honestly say that the decision to stay home has been either the worst or second worst decision I have ever made. I am in fact starting to face mental breakdowns due to regret and, as stupid as it sounds, the fear that my college experience will be like another highschool: School, Study, Home, Repeat.
Although I spend most of my time at school, whether it’s classes, studying, working out, playing sports or parties/social activities, I am becoming crippled with frustration and regret to the point where my school work is being affected.
At the end of highschool, I wanted a fresh start: new friends, new scene, etc. But due to family issues and money (which won’t be an issue until grad school) I had to stay and I am quickly finding myself getting drawn into the same rountine, with the same highschool friends, which is a huge problem for me.
Going into freshmen year, I expected that I could maintain a good social life and get away from my highschool past quickly, but that is not the case and I am terrified that I will never have the College Experience to any extent.
I am moving out next year (sophomore) and I have three options: Going into residence at my local school, Going into residence at another school, and moving into my own place with roommates. At my worst states of mind, I have considered starting again a whole program at another school.
I need to know: How is residence life as upperclassmen, particularly transfer students who transferred to a new school? Also, what are the differences in social life between apartment college life and dorm college life? Basically, should I go into dorms as a sophomore?
As stupid as it sounds, my aim would be to build a new social life, to get away from the past (Cheesy, I know). Academically, I am not concerned and I, in fact, thrive in the rushy-busy environment of college study areas.
Hi, I’m also a freshman commuting to my local university, and I really feel you on this issue.
I have friends at my university who commuted their freshman year, and moved into the dorms their sophomore year. From what I’ve heard from them, they loved it because it forced them to make new friends (floor-mates/roommates), but they also hated it because they still had to really put themselves out there because they said it felt like high school–people already had their “core” friends from living in the dorms during their freshman year, and they didn’t connect as strongly with others.
I was also deciding whether to dorm at my local college, but I’ve decided it’s not worth it. Dorming is really expensive, so unless you have the money and can afford the extra thousands of dollars, I’d say don’t go for it. From what it sounds like, you’re not completely satisfied with your college because if you were, you’d make the extra effort to get involved with your campus to break that high-school routine and make new friends.
Honestly, if you’re not in love with your college, don’t dorm. If you want a more “traditional” college experience, I’d start researching other colleges and try to transfer, so you actually experience being away from your family, living in a totally different environment, and forced to build new friendships. However, if you truly, 100% are in love with your current college and you feel like it is the right place for you to be in life, then I’d say go ahead and dorm
I don’t want to sound rude, but you are maybe being a bit overdramatic. The “Magical College Experience” you see on TV/Movies is not realistic- “School, Study, Home, Repeat” is pretty much how it goes.
Think of it from the big picture. You are in school to do well academically, get your degree, and then move on. Don’t waste time floundering around at this stage of the game. You’re not going to love every waking moment of it, but that’s how college goes. You get in, you do well, and you get out- don’t waste time sweating the small stuff.
I’m not saying don’t be happy or don’t have fun, but take a break, relax, and think about the big picture. Some things that seem like a huge world-ending deal you won’t even remember a couple years after you graduate.
I think you’ll be fine moving into the dorm as a sophomore. The key is to be open to making friends with all of the classes. Make friends with the Freshmen, make friends with the Juniors. Yes, there is a difference between apartment college life and dorm college life. Dorm life is more “in your face,” but really, it depends on what kind of dorm your school has. Some of them are like apartments.
A lot depends on the school. Most schools separate the freshman from the upperclassmen in the dorms. The upperclassmen dorms will probably be a little quieter. I highly doubt that this being your first year in a dorm will make any difference. You will have more adjustments to make then others since this is your first time sharing a room with a complete stranger. However moving into a dorm will not magically make your life better. College is a endless grind for most students. Your college experience is mainly driven by you not just by where you live. Living in the dorms can make getting involved in club and on campus activities easier since you are already on campus. If you have no interest in getting involved or don’t make the effort then living in the dorms might make little difference to your overall college experience.
@futurevetstudent Nice to finally see someone else sharing my opinion! Honestly, I love my program and what my college offers me but I am definitely considering a transfer.