<p>I'm about to go away to college in the fall. I'm going to SUNY Binghamton. The reasons for this include affordability, location (far from Long Island, but within visiting distance), and the fact that when I was applying, I was rather depressed and unable to make any choices regarding college, so my parents just chose a handful for me to apply to.</p>
<p>Now, however, talking to all of my friends has made my college choice sound bad. About 20 other people from my school are going to Binghamton, which might make it hard for me to feel comfortable changing my lifestyle and meeting new people. Some of my friends are going to schools like Bard, which sounds amazingly hippie ;-), and Wellesley, which has a gorgeous campus. None of my friends feel I made the right choice, and neither do I at this point in time.</p>
<p>Now, obviously, there's nothing I can do about it. Binghamton is the only college of the few I applied to that I'd consider going to. But is there anything I can do to ease my worries? Please don't say that I can always transfer, because I can, but if I go to college with that in mind, I might not let myself get comfortable there. And also, I don't want to have to start my college search all over again. Because I don't know where I want to go. I just don't want to go to Binghamton! <em>sob</em></p>
<p>Get to college first, then decide. You will be fine. </p>
<p>I question my choice (most hated school on CC lol) sometimes also [for not picking first choice Rice after admission] [for not taking the full ride at Pitts] [for not applying to Chicago and Stanford and maybe HP]. In th end, I always realize that it is better to not think about the past. Don't pass judgment before you even get to the school.</p>
<p>I agree with noobcake. My college doesn't much rep here on CC too. I felt very unsure bout my college choice too even after giving my SIR, but now after talking to the current students, attending orientation, and talking to some people there, I feel better about my choice.
Talk to people on ur department. It is always about the academics so see how good the academics is.</p>
<p>The academics are decent. Nothing extraordinary, but probably a little above average in CS.</p>
<p>However, that's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about developing a better social life than I've had in high school, and developing my mind and personality a little more freely and artistically than I've let it for most of my life. I'm worried about being able to walk outside and feel nature around me, and being able to walk into the dining hall for breakfast and know that the fruit they serve me is fresh, or at least edible. (It sure wasn't at orientation, and when I commented on it, one of the people at my table muttered, "That's Binghamton!")</p>
<p>A lot of people get the jitters in the months and weeks leading up to the start of college, including those who believed in April that they made the perfect choice. It is normal to wonder "what if?" especially as you really don't have first-hand knowlege of what it is like to be a student at your college (or any college for that matter). And, even more easy to slip into doubt if "friends" are telling you that you made the wrong choice.</p>
<p>Chances are Binghamton will work out just fine for you, but there's a caveat: if you go there believing that it will be horrible, then what you will focus on is information and experiences that seem to prove that belief. It's human nature to look for data that CONFIRMS what we already believe.</p>
<p>So, try your best to go with an open mind, looking for both the Good AND the bad (and EVERY college has both good and bad, things you'll like and things you'll dislike. there is no such thing as a perfect college). At the end of your first semester, you'll have enough experience and information to make an informed choice. If, at that point, you feel the good outweighs the bad, great. If the opposite is true, you can transfer. (Keep your grades up though!)</p>
<p>Hang in there --- the next few weeks are filled with lots of doubt for everyone in one way or another. Good luck!</p>
<p>P.S. After I decided on which college to attend, I found out that someone who had been obnoxious to me all throughout high school was also headed to the same college. I thought for sure that this person was going to crimp my social life, and just make life miserable in general.</p>
<p>I saw this person exactly twice during college. Both times this person pretended not to know me, and I him. </p>
<p>The point I'm trying to make is that just as you're hoping to reinvent yourself in college, it's likely that everyone you know will also be trying to reinvent themselves. And, Binghamton is about three times as big as the college I attended. :)</p>
<p>And, I have eaten in close to 100 college cafeterias at this point. I'd say maybe three served "fresh" food, and even those three weren't exactly serving gourmet meals. Get a microwave and a fridge, bring a few pots/pans with you, and find the nearest supermarket to campus if you want fresh and home-cooked. But, don't fear: no one has yet died from eating college food. Almost every college student will grumble about inedible college food at some point.</p>
<p>many people who posted probably are out of state. I say that because SUNY Binghamton is very highly regarded in terms of job recruitment and it is well respected in general. SUNY albany doesn't even compare to binghamton. You need to see it to believe it.</p>
<p>FEAR NOT! The dirty secret about college is that amazingly, the core college experience of class, studying, cafeteria food, dorms, etc is relatively the SAME no matter where you go. You will be fine. Open up your mind and embrace your school. </p>
<p>Another good rule of thumb in life is this: dont look backwards or down if you are up the ladder. Always look forwards and upwards. </p>
<p>Finally, by January you will have a much better idea of the fit for you at Binghamton. Consider that the honeymoon of college wears off for EVERYONE after Christmas and a short period of freshmen funk sets in...even at Harvard and Yale. But by spring it is sunny and everything looks better. But if you still feel this way, then you can transfer to a school you really want to attend, provided YOUR GRADES are where they need to be. Thus, you MUST work hard first semester and make SURE your grades are superb. </p>
<p>Finally, cold feet often sets in for kids this time of year. Apprehension about dorms and room mates. Its NORMAL. Keep a sense of humor....particularly at yourself.</p>
<p>You have picked a fine school. Think of all the WONDERFUL people you are going to meet there and all the exciting classes you are going to take. </p>
<p>Transitioning from high school and the comforts of home into adulthood,college life and independence is NOT easy. All the manic crazy and exciting college search and admissions time is over...and reality sets in. OH CRUD! I am REALLY LEAVING HOME AND GOING TO COLLEGE! YIKES! Not all kids...even smart kids....transition all that well.</p>
<p>So DONT fall in the trap of partying to drown your fears and sorrow on leaving the "wonder years". Instead, show your family, your peers and YOURSELF what you are made of and how well you can do.</p>
<p>First, I loved that it was low key. I loved that students (male and female) walked around in plain t-shirts and sweatpants. The campus seemed big enough that you could make a fresh start-- I think you're overemphasizing that you may see people from your high school once more. </p>
<p>A family friend took me on a tour of his dorm-- people of all different stripes of personalities walked around and all said hi to me. We then went to lunch, and I was able to look out at the lunch tables. At a lot of colleges, I imagined myself a to be a current student at that college who was faced with the task of finding a table to sit at during lunch. The question was, to me: how many tables would I feel comfortable sitting down and striking up a conversation at?</p>
<p>Binghamton scored very highly on this scale. That's great, because a lot of other elite schools didn't.</p>
<p>Also, a good chunk of the alumni and students I know there are intellectual and creative in a Bard/Wesleyan kind of way. The nice thing to remember about a school like Bing is that it carries a universal appeal in its relatively high standards of admission and its price tag, so it makes sense that this is a school where a lot of different people and personalities flock.</p>
<p>Actually, I graduated from SUNY Albany, and visited many friends who went to SUNY Bingo...
And Bingo doesn't even compare to Albany. Binghamton is like a deserted outpost compared to the capital district.
Much better college experience, internship pool, and potential to make connections at Albany.</p>
<p>I know many great professionals that went to Binghamton. I personally know 3 physicians, 2 lawyers, a pediatric dentist, a nurse anesthesist, and countless other professionals that went there. The kids you know from High School will grow up and mature with you in college and you will drift apart or realize they are actually pretty cool. I know current students (I am an OB/Gyn) who go to Binghamton and they like it alot. One student told me that "nobody really wants to go to Binghamton" but once you're there, they love it. There are about 8 boys from my Daughters school going there and they are the nice, smart boys. So fear not, you will be surrounded by great academics, nice kids and I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities. And at a fraction of the cost of a private school. Give it a chance. SUNY Binghamton is a good choice. , Good luck.</p>
<p>Bing is a great school. Now I personally don't know much about it, but I have a few close friends who were looking and Binghamton, and all I heard were high praises. They worried a lot about being in the middle of no where, but there are shuttles to handle that! The mall is right there! And the rural setting it's actually in is amazing. Beautiful campus. Best SUNY imho.</p>
<p>But I can relate too. I'm having a bit of buyer's remorse.</p>
<p>I know all about how you were feeling, bro. It's like you were under a terrible spell in which life was endlessly miserable and now you're just waking up from it. Unrelated, but if you ever relapse than get yourself help. Not trying to be rude there but I still am considering getting help.
The lesson I eventually learned is that you have to accept the consequences of the cards life deals you and the path it takes you on. So you are going to SUNY Binghamton that's final. You have to make the best out of that. You have to just look at the positives and be happy with that. I'm sure you've learned that life is too short to be sad and unhappy. If you're not happy with the school after a semester then transfer out. that's all you would have to do.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned going with a positive attitude and I think that is great advice. Go with an open mind. You may have to motivate yourself to try new things and branch out, but it will help. If you really dislike it, you can apply to transfer. But give it an honest trial. It might not be right for you but you'll never really know if you decide before you go that its not the right place.</p>
<p>I would suggest to start talking to your roommate. you can compare how you two are preparing for leaving, and you'll be able to see that they're also probably worrying about some things, excited about others. it's likely that some of their excitement may rub off on you, and it'll be good because you'll also be learning about somebody that you'll live with for several months over the next year. once you get on campus, start talking to people. meeting people and making friends is the best way to fall in love with a school.</p>
<p>Lol, Binghamton doesn't tell us our roommates (or in my case, suitemates) until August. But I'm starting to feel better about things. Thanks, everyone! :)</p>
<p>You are welcome, Dan. Things will work out. Its a fine school. Everything in life happens for a reason, though we dont always know what that reason is right away. My D is living proof of that. </p>
<p>Remember when you get to Binghamton that PARTYING is the enemy of every student's success. DO NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF PARTYING. Be strong, be vigilant against the party crowd. Your WORK ETHIC will pay HUGE dividends when in college. Trust me on that. And NOTHING makes a kid feel good about being where they are in college, than excellent success in the classroom.</p>