<p>I haven't seen any more threads about freshmen adjusting to life away from home and all that... I guess that's because they have finally settled in. What a relief!</p>
<p>My D is having the time of her life... She said in one of our now-less-frequent conversations that she wanted me to know, bc she knew that is what mattered most to me, that she was very happy at UNC . She loves her classes, her dorm, her extra-curriculars, her roommate, her friends, and her new boyfriend. I know it wasn't without a lot of growing pains, but I guess I can stop worrying now. </p>
<p>As a freshman and a scholars student and one who formerly complained about making friends, I can honestly say things are getting better. I think once you get into the swing of things like weekly club meetings and study groups for your various exams, UNC seems a lot more like home. I was never homesick to begin with but when I went home for Fall break I sure was Dorm-sick. It's just nice to establish yourself somewhere new with a fresh start and a changing outlook on life. Maybe I'm just getting more optimistic.</p>
<p>My D wasn't having difficulty adjusting to being away as she likes that, loves her dorm room but was having issues with connecting with non existent suitemates who are never seen or heard from unless it is at 1:00 a.m. and who have signs on their doors "to not enter and not disturb." Just strange arrangement and not the best situation for a freshman from out of state who doesn't know people. She doesn't complain to me. She just accepts it for what it is.</p>
<p>The clubs she joined rarely meet, often cancel. She did have fun on the OSS shuttle bus to the airport!</p>
<p>She has volunteered and she has connected with classmates (several of which live in Chapel Hill at HOME.) Weekends and dining hall are still an issue. But, Thanksgiving is down the road and then finals....then a long stretch with family and friends. </p>
<p>I wouldn't say time of her life....I would say biding her time....concentrating on her studies....</p>
<p>i met one conservative guy in my hall which makes life a little easier. i am moving fast to transfer to wake forest though. after two weekends visiting an old friend there and meeting others, it feels like home to me. a lot warmer and welcoming as compared to what i've experienced at carolina. i've given up on complaining and feeling bad and am just moving forward with trying to keep my grades up so they'll be good enough to get into wake. i've gotten the go ahead from parents so the only decision now is if i have the grades and whether i'll transfer at christmas or after this year. most likely at the end of the year, but that's not 100% certain. </p>
<p>I joined four clubs as well and none have met. The college republicans have had one meeting and cancelled 8 of them, including this weeks. </p>
<p>overall , i am better. i see a light at the end of the tunnel and i have a place that is welcome and where the people actually seem like they care that you exist. its a nice feeling. i certainly hope i'll be able to get in.</p>
<p>ahduke99: I'm glad you are excited about WF. It seems a bit odd that you don't find people welcoming at UNC, I had always thought that was one of the main draws of the university.</p>
<p>i was too. and i had always told people even through the tough times that the people were overall pretty friendly. but compared to WF, they really aren't. people actually spoke, and even the cafeteria ladies would ask how our food was! i was shocked when this happened. but i am excited and i hope it works out.</p>
<p>Overall, my OOS D loves UNC. Though, I think she is ready to come home for Thanksgiving. She spent Fall break at her aunt's home in N.C. so she hasn't been home since mid-August. She's joined a few clubs and loves her classes. Acadmically, she is enthusiastic about her studies and she is challenged for the first time. I think the most difficult part is that she has many acquaintances but has yet to find a group of people who she would call "friends." She still finds that people tend to stick with high school friends when they don't know other people in a group. She also recognizes that this will diminish over time. People have been friendly, it just takes time to develop friendships. Its early yet and that will come. In the meantime she's enjoying herself.</p>
<p>S has adapted beautifully to UNC. He is enjoying his classes and is having a hard time narrowing down next semester to only five classes. His mid term grades were great. He has joined several groups that meet frequently and somewhat to our suprise has chosen to pledge a Fraternity. He hangs out with guys in the dorm, people in his classes, and others from the groups he has joined. He has a part time job on campus which he also enjoys. He admits that the in staters hang together but he knows that had he stayed in state it would have been the same for him. He is, however, making friends with the in staters and and finds them introducing him to their hometown friends and including him in activities. </p>
<p>When we were down for Family Weekend he was anxious to show us "his places." He also introduced us to a number of his new friends. He chose to stay in Chapel Hill for Fall Break. He said it was very peaceful and he really enjoyed a few quiet days. He hung with a few of his friends who also chose to remain on campus. Asked if he wished he had come home for a few days he said "no." He is anxious to come home for Thanksgiving to see the family and catch up with his "old friends." All in all we agree that UNC is the perfect school for him.</p>
<p>I love it here. I'm becoming really good friends with the girls on my hall - all from different places. We always eat dinner together and make each other go to our events. I'm in groups I never thought I'd be a part of - I play violin for Charanga Carolina, which is a really small band that plays mainly Cuban music. One of my seminars is all about the culture of DJs, and I'm thinking about becoming a DJ for WXYC next semester. I'm a part of our Model UN travelling team, which is so much fun. We already competed at Columbia's Model UN conference. There are also the Young Dems and Di Phi, both groups meet regularly and are really active, I just didn't have a lot of time for them.</p>
<p>My grades are just okay, but that's all right. Taking Chinese, Econ, and an upper level Philosophy class at the same time is pretty challenging so I won't mind if I get a B here or there, even though I'm trying to not let that happen.</p>
<p>There is ALWAYS something to do. I didn't believe that until I came here. You want to see a movie tonight? I can guarantee you that some club is playing one, somewhere. It's overwhelming, but awesome.</p>