<p>Ok, I thought that after I arrived at college, I wouldn't need to be in this site anymore, but it looks like I'm wrong.</p>
<p>I came into Vanderbilt with the full understanding that it's a party school, which I was cool with. Except the problem is...I haven't seen any of these parties yet. I had no idea how much campus life seems to revolve around pregaming in rooms and then going to bars. I was fine the idea of being offered alcohol at parties with a large crowd, but I think what I've seen so far is a lot more sketchy (and expensive!). Granted, it's the first week of school, so I guess the frats really haven't opened up yet, but the college drinking culture is so much different than I expected. Do you guys think I just need to give this some more time or what? No, I'm not planning on partying all the time. But I'm just a little disappointed in that the school turned out to be a lot different than I hoped it to be.</p>
<p>You’ll find your group that does things you want to do…takes time…but it also is the reason why the most important questions kids can ask anyone and everyone they meet when they are touring around looking at colleges is “what do you do when you’re not in class.”</p>
<p>I would give it time. I think people are finding their friends the first couple of weeks. What is your roommate doing? Pregaming or hanging out solo? I’d always heard that Vanderbilt was a big party school, but what you’ve described sounds sort of like isolated socializing. I wonder if the communal party scene is around football games? </p>
<p>Get involved in some groups, make some friends, and I’m sure you are not the only one who doesn’t have the $$$ to go to bars. Getting blitzed is almost anti-social in a way (with a social veneer) because if you can’t have a conversation and you can’t make yourself heard, what are you really doing? Drinking alone with a bunch of people around? </p>
<p>Better to find your own group, see a movie, have some drinks if you want. There may be a predefined social scene (pre gaming, hitting the bars), but you need to create your own social scene.</p>
<p>I think you should look for social connection in other ways. What are your other interests? Have you explored any clubs or student organizations?</p>
<p>It’s just the first week of school. I went to the student fair yesterday and signed up for about fifty different clubs. Hopefully, one of them should do the trick. And one mailing list was specifically devoted to a school approved party in a dorm known for quirky people.</p>
<p>I think I was just hoping for a more open party scene where you could just drop right in and didn’t have to know a specific group of people.</p>
<p>Thank you for posting this in the parents forum. As a new Vanderbilt parent, your post puts me a little bit at ease that you actually can’t find parties everywhere! I am sure you will have a fun time one way or another. Did you know that tonight there is a Roller Girl derby downtown this evening? I don’t know, it sounds intriguing. We don’t have those where we live. I happened to notice it while driving around. Seems like it could be good people watching.</p>
<p>Drinking parties aren’t all they are cracked up to be unless you stay sober and watch the stupidness :). Really, be careful out there especially with people you don’t know.</p>
<p>Once rush starts (if it hasn’t already) there will be plenty of frat parties. And pre-gaming seems to be “the thing” across the country. Even at my D’s supposedly “dry” school she introduced her younger brother to the concept when he visited over spring break. Sigh…my kids are party kids.</p>
<p>Isn’t freshman orientation still going on? According to the Vandy webpage, tonight’s “Discover Nashville at Night,” and there’s an afterparty on the Commons Lawn until 2 PM. Eventually you will find more open parties, but you aren’t behind the curve yet.</p>
<p>Have you asked any of the upperclassmen assigned as orientation workers about your concerns? It’s normal to second-guess your decision and to feel some disappointment about whatever school. But it would be a shame not to give a school like Vanderbilt more time to show you what it offers socially and in every other way.</p>
<p>megpmom, fraternity and sorority rush are done during the second semester at Vanderbilt. The frats should be up and running with parties any minute now, I expect. :)</p>
<p>As a word of caution, if you are planning to go through recruitment later, remember that your actions (good or bad) will be noticed before recruitment ever begins. Your mature attitude will help you out of a few crazy nights I am sure. Go enjoy all there is to offer and know that what happens opening week is usually the exception rather than the norm.</p>
<p>Ok, I had a good night, and I talked to some people who had the same experience as me. I feel a lot better now! And again, thanks for all of the help.</p>
As a new Vanderbilt parent, your post puts me a little bit at ease that you actually can’t find parties everywhere! I am sure you will have a fun time one way or another. Did you know that tonight there is a Roller Girl derby downtown this evening? I don’t know, it sounds intriguing. We don’t have those where we live. I happened to notice it while driving around. Seems like it could be good people watching.</p>