<p>Hello! I am planning on attending UCLA in the fall, along with my two best girlfriends :D Anyways, one of my friends adopted a puppy recently, but she said that if she can't bring it with her to college, her mom will send it away :((( So she suggested that the three of us rent a pet-friendly apartment near campus, but would that be a smart idea? I'm scared that taking care of a puppy and adjusting to college life (keeping up GPA, socializing, etc.) at the same time will be too overwhelming. Also, is living in an apartment as freshmen better than living in a dorm? Please and thank you!!!</p>
<p>If you (or your parents) can afford a dorm, that’s really best for socializing and getting the most out of your first year experience. Obviously, no puppies in dorms. and you’re right . . . finding a place that will take a puppy or dog off campus isn’t easy, and really isn’t east to cope with both new college life and properly caring for a puppy. A puppy takes a lot of attention. Aside from learning how to potty train, the first 2 years there’s there chewing and separation anxiety issues that very often present themselves. If it were a dog that was more than 2 years old, I’d say, MAYBE, but even then, it’s tough if you’re a full time student. The dog will suffer, you will suffer, your grades will suffer. And if your friend’s dog is prone to paper shredding, beware of any thesis you might have lying about accidentally!</p>
<p>In no way is living in an apartment or taking care of a dog a smart decision as a freshman for far too many reasons to name. Dorms for 1-2 years then worry about stuff like this once your settled with the school and lifestyle </p>
<p>Can she send the puppy away to me? </p>
<p>Most students dorm their first year. It’s easier for food and slightly more convenient depending on which dorm you get. After adjusting for a while, moving into an apartment is cheaper and offers a higher quality of living. That and you get to keep a dog if you want, which is important to some students. I think it’s possible to balance everything with a dog, but you may find that you don’t want to after a while. The novelty might wear off and you’ll find that you’d rather sit in bed, eating fritos than walk the dog. Everyone is different though.</p>
<p>You would be giving up the best parts of the first year college experience for your friend’s dog. Not a good trade in any way. Your priorities should not be defined by a dog at this point in time. You are a good friend to even consider it, but no. You will be the one on a leash.</p>