<p>For most of highschool I was sure I wanted something completely opposite of that environment. I went to a small private school for 15 years and it was perfect for me. It was academically rigorous, socially a great fit, and so much more. I loved it. But for college I wanted to push myself out of that comfort zone. So I applied to all huge state schools. I am now a freshman at the university of georgia and since the first couple of days all I have thought about was that I made a huge mistake. It seems too big. Well, it's not so much the size that bothers me, it's how impersonal everything is. I could not show up to class or to practice (I am on the equestrian team) and no one would notice. Everyone is so caught up in what they are doing that people walk around and don't talk to each other. In class, the person you sit next to won't even acknowlege you're there. and if you try to start up a conversation they look at you like you're crazy. Academically, I am very frustrated. I feel that everything is about meeting requirements and there is no thought to learning "outside of the box" which is something that my high school focussed a lot on. I feel it's not challenging enough and I'm bored with the academics. I thought I was going to enjoy going to the state school and having everyone form the general area but it just annoys me now and makes me feel almost clostrofobic. There is no diversity as far as race, ethnicity, everyone is the same and diversity is very important to me. The riding team is one of the reason i chose to come here and it's very disappointing, extremely unorganized, and not as serious as i had hoped. Socially, I have a lot of friends, but mostly people who i went to high school with or friends of theirs because everyone came with their friends and no one is interested in meeting new people, which is what i consider a huge part of college: meeting new people from all types of backgrounds. I am not a loser but i'm also not one to go out every single night, im moderate. here, there is no middle ground. it's one extreme or the other and no in between. There is nothing to do here except party. I have researched clubs and organizations and attended quite a few but no matter how much i am involved in, i jsut feel absolutely no connection here. i feel that i have no reason to stay.
I have been here for 6 weeks now and I realize that is not a long time but im really miserable. All i can think about is how to get out as soon as possible. i've been researching some schools that i might be interested in and if in a few weeks i still feel the same way i am going to further look into transferring and other options. does anyone have any suggestions of small, liberal arts schools in the southeast? or does anyone have any suggestions for what i should do?</p>
<p>oh yea, another thing that i didn't think about when i was applying to schools, but something that really bothers me now is on-campus living. pretty much only freshman live on-campus. i know it's impossible for 30,000+ people to live in dorms but it just adds to the lack of community that i feel here. i'd love any suggestions or advice!
thanks!</p>