<p>So I just want to start off by saying that I am a fairly social female who loves people, and I want to be around fun-loving people when I am at Carleton. However, I have had a crippling fear of vomit (and vomiting) since I was in 5th grade (and at one point I lost 30 pounds because I was too afraid to eat and get food poisoning...but that's another story). I haven't thrown up since I was six, and yes, I know the fear is irrational. But seeing/hearing someone vomit makes me want to die. I know that I'll have to face my fears in college, but I don't know if I can handle it if I'm seeing vomit everyday.</p>
<p>To top it off, I come from a family of alcoholics and I've never had a drink before -- visiting my mom in rehab really ingrained it in my head how susceptible I am to alcoholism. I've done other things (smoke, etc.) but I'm nervous about drinking for a variety of reasons, and my fear of vomit has me nervous around people who have had a little too much to drink.</p>
<p>So what I want to know is if I should opt for sub-free housing (or is it possible to request a specific hall? I know that Davis has private restrooms which would reduce the chance of me seeing vomit if I have the right roommate). I am conflicted because I hear that people who opt for sub-free housing are usually super religious/socially awkward/antisocial/name the stereotype, and I definitely want to have fun at Carleton. But at the same time, I have all this baggage.</p>
<p>Also, the stereotype about sub-free people is quite wrong. Sub-free people go out and have fun as much as people on regular floors do but just in different ways (and they remember the night a lot better!).</p>
<p>Our S is a sophomore at Carleton and has made the best friends of his life on his sub free floors both years. They are all non-drinkers and maybe a little quirky socially, but not awkward. I understand there are a couple of people on this year’s floor (take that literally, 2 people) who are not as social, but for the most part doors are frequently left open in the hall, they eat meals together, and they find fun things to do in their free time/weekends. A big group of them is on an adventurous spring break trip right now that they planned together.</p>
<p>The stereotypes just don’t apply here. The sub free floors are just as social as any other (though generally less raucous). Not surprisingly, a fairly large percentage of kids on these floors DO drink, just in greater moderation. Being on a sub free floor doesn’t mean YOU are sub free, just that the floor represents a sub free haven. </p>
<p>Acceptance is this school’s mantra. Scarlet letters are just not in the campus’ alphabet. NO ONE will judge you for making a choice like this. And while alcohol certainly does happen on campus - a lot - many choose not to partake and face no social stigma/isolation for that decision.</p>
<p>That’s wonderful to hear, and I think I’m starting to lean toward sub-free now. Just out of curiosity, do you think more boys or girls go sub free? Or is it split even?</p>
<p>Housing designates rooms as male, female, or either/both, so the gender balance on most floors is pretty even.</p>
<p>As far as I know, freshmen can’t request a specific hall except for accessibility reasons.</p>
<p>I think you’re giving yourself a lot of unnecessary stress about this. You seem to be combining two stereotypes (sub-free people are all antisocial losers + people who drink are all puking trainwrecks), neither of which is particularly accurate. Sub-free floors are great, especially for freshmen and sophomores! Request sub-free, and don’t feel like you need to justify your choice (the vomit phobia and family history of alcoholism) because no one will ask. It’s not a big deal at all.</p>
<p>As a side note, I used to be like you in that I was afraid of vomiting. Then I got a really bad case of stomach flu during my sophomore year (I had to go to the ER due to dehydration – fun timez) and got over it. I mean, no one likes throwing up or seeing other people throw up, but you may find that getting sick yourself or helping a sick friend helps you to get past your fears.</p>
<p>^Agree with mflevity and many of the other posters - many of my friends who were on sub-free floors their freshman years are still close to their former floormates, and my impression is that there is more of a sense of community (although I didn’t live on a sub-free floor and my freshman floor was really close, but I think that’s more unusual). That said, sub-free floors WILL have people who drink; they just won’t do it on that floor. Sometimes, there are sub-free floors where people are awkward or just don’t click, but that happens equally on non-sub-free floors as well. I think if you’re leaning towards a sub-free floor - and ESPECIALLY if the thought of vomit really, really freaks you out - a sub-free floor would be a great choice for you.</p>
<p>My freshman year, I did not live on a sub-free floor. There were three students on my floor who debated living on sub-free floors but ended up choosing standard floors for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, I have a few friends who were very unsure about living sub-free and ended up loving their sub-free floors and communities. To my knowledge, none of them (the first group or the second group) regretted their choice, because in general, people at Carleton aren’t particularly judgmental either way. You won’t have to justify your choice not to drink; I don’t drink very often and whenever I go out I’ve never had to give a reason for why I didn’t feel like drinking that particular night. Also, while there certainly will be people who drink enough to make themselves sick, my experience is that most typical Carleton students tend to be moderate drinkers at best. </p>
<p>In general, if you don’t want to be around alcohol or sloppy drunk people, it’s pretty easy to avoid. I have friends who firmly don’t drink who have never had a drink before; some still go to parties and some find other ways to entertain themselves, but to my knowledge there’s little to no pressure either way.</p>
<p>Hope that helps! PM me if you want more information about housing and/or sub-free living/substance usage at Carleton.</p>
<p>I lived sub-free my freshman year, with a roommate who had your same phobia. She was happy not having to worry about seeing people get sick, and the floor was super tight-knit - some of my best friends from college came from that group.</p>
<p>Carleton is full of nerds. I wouldn’t say they’re extra-concentrated on sub-free. If it makes you more comfortable, go for it - you can always go sub-full later if you want.</p>
Just out of curiosity, do you think more boys or girls go sub free? Or is it split even?</p>