<p>I'm a first yr at UCSD- a few of my good, "actually fun" friends are transferring out next year :(</p>
<p>Are they just blaming their boredom on UCSD's bad reputation as "socially dead" or is it really worse than other schools?</p>
<p>Is there really nothing to do in UCSD? I hear college is what you make of it but is UCSD an exception to that saying?</p>
<p>I've been down to UCSD a few times....at first glance it's a pretty dull campus but if you know who to party with it's good times - there are some pretty cute girls there too.</p>
<p>College should be primarily about academics. It seems silly to transfer out only due to a social scene. Unless you're completely alone, or absolutely miserable. Of course most people don't share my view of what college should be.</p>
<p>so, do you like, you know, go into San Diego, or do aynthing in the neighborhood?</p>
<p>If one is bored in Southern California, wow!!!!</p>
<p>And is all you want to do is party, well, gee, expand what you think is "fun" to do</p>
<p>Grow up maybe and explore your worlds</p>
<p>There is more to college than partying...</p>
<p>College should be among the best years of your life. There are too many choices to be stuck in a place that lacks in one key area of the college life. College is about education but not as a monk.</p>
<p>wow lame...but im curious if the OP's friends are transferring b/c college is not fun relative to their highschool lifestyle. It's only boring if you sit on your butt and wait for events to happen...and if you do that..best of luck b/c there arent that many huge events (other than the occasional concerts--we got OkGo last time, dances, etc).</p>
<p>A lot of ppl bash on UCSD being super boring, but I really dont think so if you really do want to have fun. Ok, yes it does get dull sometimes (campus seems kinda quiet on weekends) but i dont complain...sometimes it works for me cus i need to study and so i can fully concentrate and be productive. Yes, there have been times when I go "...wow..what should I do today..kinda bored here" but thats not very often. </p>
<p>It really depends on your level of "fun". Im not a big partier but my suitemates are (one is in a frat and 2 more are planning on rushing that frat next qtr). They get hammered...even on weekdays..Fun for me involves sports (there are plenty of IMs and clubsports..popular ones i know are lacrosse, volleyball, bball, INNERTUBE WATER POLO, tennis). I also check out movies played at our student center (its only $3 and they play pretty recent movies..usually 2 months after it debuts i think). Sometimes I have fun just hanging out with friends and chatting while we eat or get jamba juice or chipotle..anything! Im also thinking about taking some rec classes (they have hip hop which is REALLY popular, bboying, ballroom, etc). we might be missing out on the sporting events UCLA and Berkeley have, but doesnt mean we're boring.</p>
<p>and to the OP, it is hard to transfer out from a UC..so unless your friends are pretty smart with high GPAs..its probably better for them to change their attitude about school and give UCSD another chance.</p>
<p>CGM,</p>
<p>I'm a grad student at UCSD, so I do have some experience with the area. For one, it's a lot easier to say "go to SD" than to actually do it. Let's use me as an example. I don't live on-campus and I own a car. For me, going to SD is a 15-20 mins hop on the 5 away. For many undergrads, who are less likely to have their own car, it's a 45-1 hour series of bus rides away. Not to mention the fact that the most entertaining parts of SD are pretty much 21 and up (Gaslamp comes to mind.)</p>
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or do aynthing in the neighborhood?
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<p>What, like go hand out at the Salk Institute? Or Ralphs? There's really not much immediately around the campus to do if you're older than 17 but younger than 21. The grad student pub is the most fun place I can think of, but you're pretty much out if you're not 21...</p>
<p>There is the beach of course, but the best beaches are mostly in La Jolla, and that's another bus ride or drive away. </p>
<p>As for the campus, it's pretty quiet compared to my alma mater (UCLA). There is very little within walking distance of campus that is going to be entertaining for a 18 to 21-year-old. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that I have a different view of UCSD than many other posters, and that I also came from an extremely lively undergrad campus. However, your quick condemnation of the students who have issues with the life here didn't seem fair to me.</p>
<p>
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For many undergrads, who are less likely to have their own car, it's a 45-1 hour series of bus rides away. Not to mention the fact that the most entertaining parts of SD are pretty much 21 and up (Gaslamp comes to mind.)
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</p>
<p>I've gone to UCSD a few times to visit friends. The only thing we end up doing is going to SD, which means those loooong bus rides. I completely dozed off on one ride, thought I had a great nap, woke up and we were still on the bus! :rolleyes:
...and you know, we always seem to end up at Gaslamp.... -___-;;</p>
<p>It's no wonder that Geisel Library, the main campus library, is packed with on-campus residents on the weekends - there's really nothing else to do than study for most people, lol. </p>
<p>I blame the perceived boredom on the laziness of the students to seek out fun, though. All the UCs (except Berkeley/LA/SB) are located in rather boring environments, and yet their students aren't complaining. </p>
<p>Admittedly, looking for fun is like applying for scholarships: you really want the rewards (fun/money) but are too lazy to start the process (looking for organizations and places to go/writing scholarship essays).</p>
<p>By the way, I think this thread really belongs in the University of California general forum, as you can get actual responses from other UCSD and UC students.</p>
<p>I'm surprised College Confidential hasn't created a separate forum exclusively for the University of California on the main page, like they did with the Ivy League. UCs are popular after all (because California is the most populous state), and if a new forum is created, I'm sure 50,000 freshman applicants will be very happy. :)</p>
<p>I have a postcard with Geisel Library on it...very cool library.</p>
<p>
although i agree with you that to transfer out solely because of social scene is a bit excessive, and that academics are a core part of college...</p>
<p>but while we come to college to study, we don't (and shouldn't) cease to be humans who have desires to be with other people, and especially have fun with those people. in my opinion, i consider prioritizing academics at a huge "human/social" cost is a problem. for me, that concern (amongst other academic ones) put UCSD lower on my list of choices. i'd heard campus died on weekends, and that people were almost excessively studious...that's not to say i would have become one of those people by going there, but as much as you have to take initiative, the things you do really are (at least in some way) affected by the prevalent groups of people and opportunities you are given. </p>
<p>almost tangential analogy...having fun in college is sorta like buying alcohol in Utah...sure you can do it if you have the desire, but that doesn't change the fact that it's tough :p</p>
<p>For me, UCSDs issue isn't the lack of a party scene. There indeed is plenty to do in San Diego, even for under 21. The real issues come in other forms. The horrendous parking situation (especially around Warren) means using the hour long bus to travel what is generally a 15 minute drive downtown. Trips can't easily be spontaneous fun. All public transport shutting down by 11pm or so doesn't help either. More direct non-stop school-provided shuttles would be appreciated. Or parking. That'd be nice. Maybe stop spending on that useless extension to Price Center and focus the money on parking structures.</p>
<p>Another large issue is how people get to know one another. I have few friends here, but I apparently am not alone. Most people who do seem to be friends here know each other through religion or ethnic culture/race (I'm sure it isn't on purpose, but when a group of asians in a room of multiple ethnicities speak mandarin or korean or japanese, I can't help but feel excluded). A few through sports, fewer through parties. There seems to be a lack of any unifying subject all UCSD students can get behind and relate to with one another. Besides how much their school sucks, that is. Some D1 sports teams could help. I'm sure the off-campus frats would help more if public transport wasn't so awful (not my thing though).</p>
<p>A more personal issue of mine: I keep walking into the theatre building, hoping to find something to audition for. There always seem to be cast lists up, but no audition announcements. Whats going on? Is theatre some closed society here? Its a huge chunk of the school map, and yet I never hear anything about it. Lack of some a capella groups (besides hip-hop-centric Tritones and highly unprofessional Beats and female-only Dots) also is disappointing. Anyone, any advice on this?</p>
<p>A note to anyone considering applying: do NOT apply for Warren. The Residence Hall policies are absurd. You can't leave the suite doors open for people to easily visit due to fire hazard? What is this crap? They're more serious about this than prevention of drug use. It causes Warren students to get to know their suitemates well, but no one else. Definitely apply for Muir. 88 people living together in a collective area is far better.</p>
<p>I'm definitely going to try to transfer. Heck, I still have barely some time left to try NYU or BC this year, though I doubt that will work out. If I can't apply this April, I definitely will be by September.</p>
<p>I've really tried to give this school a chance, and I came in quite proud to be a Triton. Its just a shame how some of it has turned out.</p>
<p>EDIT:
</p>
<p>Too true, my wonderful stupendous ex-TA, too true. Why am I here and not studying?</p>
<p>so, you don't think taking the bus into SD and exploring on a Saturday is something to do</p>
<p>I don't know, I am just reading spoiled and wanting people to provide all your entertainment</p>
<p>You are in one of the most amazing places in the world, and are "bored"...well gee maybe fix it?</p>
<p>Instead of running away and whining, why not see if you can do something on campus</p>
<p>I am sorry, but this, oh stuff is sooo boring and the bus is soooo long</p>
<p>A campus is only as good as its students, so this boredom is really your fault</p>
<p>If a campus is lively its becuase students care and make it so, if its dull, it means the students just can't be bothered to try and liven things up</p>
<p>Say what you want, but just think about it</p>
<p>When my Ds used to say, ohhh sooooo bored, I would suggest things to do- bike rides, hikes, museum and gallery exploration</p>
<p>Are there no clubs, no service projects, no interships, anything, even with that bus ride?</p>
<p>I don't know, but when 19 years can't figure out how to find things to do, makes one wonder</p>
<p>Does UCSD have no school spirit? and if it doesn,t that is ALL the students faults</p>
<p>UCSD is such an anomaly. </p>
<p>I've spent a weekend at each of LA, Cal, SB, UCI, and SD (hey, when you live in L.A. your friends disperse everywhere) and SD was by far the most dead socially. It was so weird. The weekend I went, the place was so quiet compared to the other campuses. I thought it was just that weekend, but when I asked my friend he said that it was pretty much the norm. </p>
<p>Now bear in mind this was just on-campus wise. Luckily we had a car to drive out of the campus or it would've been so boring. </p>
<p>SD isn't exactly in the middle of nowhere. If on-campus social life isn't satisfactory, there are plenty of things to do off campus. We certainly found things to do. (Though I can see how this isn't feasible without a car). But it was a shock to me to find UCSD (great city, btw) so dead. I though they were going to be like the SB (duh, they're both famous beach cities) kids, and it's a total 180 from them.</p>
<p>I agree with citygirlsmom, a school's social life/scene is only as good as the students' efforts and activeness. I think it says alot more about the typical SD kid than it does about the college. Because I can assure you, you put SB kids in the same environment and they'll find a way to have fun.</p>
<p>citygirlsmom:
Some do say the problem is the students themselves. Too studious, too introverted. Some say its the college system. Too separated, too stern. Some say its both. Some say its the lack of racial variety. Some say its an issue of not embracing the variety. Chinese Christian Club 1 through 30, Korean Club, Muslim Club, Persian Club, Lebanese Club. (Is it just me or are most of the schools clubs devoted to race or ethnicity? School-supported racial cliques of sorts?)</p>
<p>Frankly, no one agrees fully on what the entire problem is. However, blaming the individual, the single forum user, the small lonely student, makes little sense. The individual doesn't have the ability on his own to correct a school-wide problem. A school 2000 acres large, a school deserted on weekends, a school that has less than 20% voter turnout for most elections. One person doesn't have the resources to make the sort of difference needed in the short time we're here. The time, money and effort needed is far more than any college student has available. Even large student groups are not capable of this. This means the school administration must be at the forefront of the issue, as the administrators will be here far into the future, and have the money. However, their efforts, if they can be called that, have produced little to nothing. UCSDs issues apparently are far deeper than would seem.</p>
<p>CGM,</p>
<p>Since you wrote your post in a laundry list, I'll just try to respond to your points in turn...</p>
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so, you don't think taking the bus into SD and exploring on a Saturday is something to do</p>
<p>I don't know, I am just reading spoiled and wanting people to provide all your entertainment
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<p>Now hold on a second. I think you're imagining a world where UCSD is in San Diego proper. It's not. SDSU is, and SDSU is known for being a rather socially enjoyable experience.</p>
<p>For one, if you're at UCSD, you probably don't have the time to spend taking the bus down to the city (you're looking at least a 1.5 hours round trip spent traveling.) So this means that you need more stuff locally to do. La Jolla does not provide this. La Jolla is not a "college town." It's a residential community that gears itself toward being an expensive suburb of San Diego. </p>
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[quote]
You are in one of the most amazing places in the world, and are "bored"...well gee maybe fix it?</p>
<p>Instead of running away and whining, why not see if you can do something on campus</p>
<p>I am sorry, but this, oh stuff is sooo boring and the bus is soooo long</p>
<p>A campus is only as good as its students, so this boredom is really your fault
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not really, no. Let's imagine a hypothetical situation where you have the choice between UCSD and UCLA. What's going to drive the decision to go to UCSD for undergrad? Sure, UCSD may be academically more rigorous in some areas, but UCLA means school spirit, well-developed sports teams and events, and an honest-to-goodness college town. </p>
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If a campus is lively its becuase students care and make it so, if its dull, it means the students just can't be bothered to try and liven things up</p>
<p>Say what you want, but just think about it
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<p>You're not taking into account the fact that campuses are structured differently. One of the reasons that a school like UCLA fosters so many social events is that all of the housing is concentrated. Even if you live off-campus, odds are that you live within walking distance of school. UCSD is not the same way. UCSD's housing is dispersed across a very large campus, and most of the apartments within walking distance of the campus are either grad student housing or out of the range of the average undergrad. This doesn't do wonders for a campus "identity."</p>
<p>When my Ds used to say, ohhh sooooo bored, I would suggest things to do- bike rides, hikes, museum and gallery exploration</p>
<p>
[quote]
Are there no clubs, no service projects, no interships, anything, even with that bus ride?</p>
<p>I don't know, but when 19 years can't figure out how to find things to do, makes one wonder</p>
<p>Does UCSD have no school spirit? and if it doesn,t that is ALL the students faults
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No, it's not. You're ignoring literally dozens of factors that are completely outside of the students' control. Do you see how unfair this argument is? How is it fair to the average UCSD undergrad that UCLA is in a more lively city? Or that UCLA is next to Westwood? Or that Berkeley is in Berkeley? Do you honestly expect the average UCSD undergrad to change the fact that everything within a 1 mile radius of campus is expensive housing or commercial buildings? Do you actually know anything about the situation, or are you generalizing?</p>
<p>CGM, I'm sure you mean well, but I really don't think you're realizing that many UCSD students had a choice between UCSD and other campuses where socialization is much easier. This fuels discontent. Nobody wants to work hard just to be able to go into town and get a bite to eat.</p>
<p>Oh, and San Diego arts? Even the local NPR makes fun of the scene. Yeah, it's THAT bad.</p>
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[quote]
SD isn't exactly in the middle of nowhere. If on-campus social life isn't satisfactory, there are plenty of things to do off campus. We certainly found things to do. (Though I can see how this isn't feasible without a car). But it was a shock to me to find UCSD (great city, btw) so dead. I though they were going to be like the SB (duh, they're both famous beach cities) kids, and it's a total 180 from them.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is not an entirely fair comparison. SB is in IV, which is pretty much an extension of UCSB. SD is in La Jolla, a notoriously "stuffy" upper-middle class neighborhood. DINKs don't exactly do wonders for college student friendly zoning. At SB, you walk half a mile off campus, and you're in a little town with pizzerias and cafes. At SD, you get to marvel at the Salk Institute-- who doesn't want you on their property anyway.</p>
<p>And like I said, the best beaches in La Jolla aren't within walking distance anyway. There's some good surfing, but it's largely at a nude beach-- that's not too good if you just want a normal day out with some friends.</p>
<p>I went to ucsd's summer thing for 3 weeks and i had a blast (and not because of the activities they provided for us) - i really like the small town and the convenience of it all but that may be by preference. I guess living in so cal is a factor too. When i talk to my friends that go to ucsd, they say that when things get dull, they just go home. So, i guess it is really by circumstance and preference.</p>