college-bound and scared to death!?

Question

I'm leaving for college in a few months and all i've heard about my selected university is that it is a party school, yada yada yada. i'm starting to think all schools are party schools, so i try to ignore those type of comments.
but i'm starting to get apprehensive about the whole thing. what do i need to know ahead of time? any secrets or tips to share on dorm-life? and this whole roomate situation has me nervous. i dont drink, smoke or do the crazy-party thing. what if they do? i'm afraid i'll have to strangle them! oh my. college. ick ick ick. any helpful tips for an incomming freshman? what should i expect?

Answer 1

A previous poster is right: it is basically nothing like the movies, where actors and extras are told to perform ridiculous stunts and gestures that would, in reality, get people expelled from college. A couple of Greek organizations get stomped on by officials who find out they're trying to act out what they thought was acceptable Greek behavior. Not so much. You quickly learn to live the college life within the rules.

Dorm life secrets. Well, you'll know almost immediately if you and your roommate are going to click or not. If you do, awesome. You just made a companion for campus events and complaining about classes. If not... expect some sleepless nights, lock up your things when you go to class, and start looking for people who want to live on campus that you can move in with ASAP.

This is just part of life that a lot of people have to go through -- filtering through strangers to find somebody you can tolerate.

Drinking usually happens in the dorm rooms. But usually people who drink in college are people who drank in high school, so they're halfway knowledgeable about their limits, what's cool and what's not cool. Smoking most people do outside, so I wouldn't worry about that. I would definitely talk with them about these things if it bothers you and set up standards for what you're comfortable with. It's also important to be flexible and realize if you want them to do something, you're going to have to sacrifice/change your ways in some respects too. It's only fair.

Parties will hopefully happen at someone else's place.. that way you don't have to clean up. In my experience, if they do happen at your place because of your roommate, your roommate understands that s/he's responsible for cleaning up the next day. Worse comes to worse, you could talk to your RA about it.

I think I'm making this sound kinda bad, but I was just giving you a Worst Case Scenario Survival Guide. Usually you end up with people you can tolerate, you find someone you actually like hanging out with, and these things naturally work themselves out.

Enjoy college! It's a lot of fun.

Answer 2

Stick to your principles. Don't get sucked into the party world or you will be flushing money down the toilet...ok, now that I have lectured like an annoying parent just remember this. College is an amazing experience, there is much more to it than just parties and gossip. If you end up with a crappy roomate try to keep in mind that this is just a tiny little piece of your life and it will be over before you know it. Also, you can put in for a room change if the roommate situation is completely out of control, most colleges, if they have room are pretty good about it.

And last but not least. Don't give up in the first month if things aren't going smoothly. You have to acclimate yourself to this new environment. If you don't make friends right away, DON'T PANIC. Once you do start making friends (and you will whether you like it or not) you will be glad you stuck it out.

And yes, most state schools are party colleges.

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

I went to a "'party school" (and they are all party schools, by the way), and I'm exactly like you (see my distressing question about what's wrong with me). The biggest problem I have is that nobody else takes school seriously, including my roommate. There is fifth of Jack Daniel's and a liter of vodka in the freezer right now, and she will drink it while she is pre-gaming with a friend in less than a month. She tried having parties in the room, and I told her never to have it happen again. If you want to drink with 15 people where you might get caught, don't get caught in my room. She also asked if she could have her boyfriend of 3 years come for the weekend and stay in the room. I told her I didn't care. Then, on Saturday, I walked into the room and she was lying with a guy on the futon watching a movie, so I figured that it was her boyfriend. No, it was a guy that she picked up at a frat. So, I kicked him out, and she got my mad because quote, "I said she could have guys sleep over night." I told her that I specifically said her boyfriend. She never studies and likes to have a lot of friends over. I get annoyed sometimes and have learned to do most of my studying in the library. And yes, I want to strangle them, but that's life. The classes though are awesome, and there are always great movies, and like 12 free museums, and the showers are clean, if nothing else. Oh, and house parties are fun (people that rent a house and have a party in it) but avoid ones with an open invitation, and avoid frats.

Answer 4

Starting out at a university is such a waste of money. You are better off going to a local community college and then transfering to another school. Since you have already decided to attend a university all I can tell you is to stay focused on your studies, but don't be afraid to attend a party here and there. You can always go to the library to study.

Answer 5

It's absolutely NOTHING like the movies.

You'll find the groups that are there for the learning. Just hang with them. Trade rooms so two studiers can be together.