Saturday, November 22, 2008

College Frenzy


Guys, I am FREAKING myself out. I have no idea what I am going to do! Every college I have looked at looks AMAZINGGG. But then I go to a review site and all I see are reviews of drinking, beer, frat party, drinking, drugs, drinking, drinking, more drugs, and more drinking. I don't want to partake in that! I am striving to go to a good college that I can be an active member of and have a life. But, I. Don't. Want. To. Drink. I'm so scared I'm not going to find the right college for me. I've looked at 

The Ohio State University (My hometown college)
Penn State
University of Denver (which is absolutely amazing, except the reviews...)
Seriously, on the websites, these all looked so right for me. Like, perfect. And then BAM. DRUGS. DRINKING. ALCHOL. CRAZY PARTIES.

I don't want that to be my college. I want a college that will be environmentally friendly and where I can help the community. I want to go to a good college, and a friendly one. Not a stuck up, snobby one. What am I going to do. I was so hopeful and now.. I have no idea what I think

What college did you go to? What is your advice for me? Did you ever feel this way??

14 comments:

Shalonda said...

Hey, Emily!

I went to the University of Louisville in Kentucky (closest to my hometown).

Regardless of where you choose to go, there are going to be crazy parties and people you will want nothing to do with.

The best advice I can give you is to remain focused. Right now, you seem to have a plan. Continue with your plan, find a community service organization at your school, or people with similar interests and you will have a wonderful experience wherever you choose.

Kelsey said...

I'm not yet looking for colleges but I would think almost, or all, colleges have drinking, drinking, drinking, and drugs, drugs, drugs.

ditto on the advice from Shalonda

Tasha said...

Hi, Emily. I also agree with Shalonda. Getting involved with a group is a great way to get to know people whose interests are similar to yours, and it can help build a sense of safety, community, and confidence in your new environment. Good luck, wherever you choose to go!

Lenore Appelhans said...

I went to a christian university and there was still a ton of drinking and drugs (off campus mainly). So I really think you are going to find that pretty much anywhere. But that doesn't mean you have to hang with that crowd. Just find friends with similiar interests - getting a great education. There ARE people like that at every college too.

Emily said...

Thanks everyone! You really have helped me with this. I have 4 years to think about this but I can not wait for college. Of course, I'm going to make the most of high school, but I can't wait for that challenging, university education (:

Alea said...

I happened to go to a school with a party school reputation but i never involved myself in it. I know some floors are considered dry floors, you might like that. I agree with everyone if that's not something you want to do don't do it, there are going to be people that feel the same way as you do :) And belonging to a group is great, I was in the Honors Program and lived on the honors floor for two years, we had a real community going! You'll find your place!

Liviania said...

I attend the University of Texas at Austin, not long ago ranked the number one party school in the nation.

It's pretty easy to avoid the drinking and drugs - don't go to frat or coop parties and don't hang out with the hardcore druggies. I go to small parties and such were there is drinking; however, I've never been pressured to drink.

There'll be people acting stupid no matter where you go. Just be firm that you aren't interested and you'll be fine.

Bookworm said...

If you're not comfortable, start off by going to a community college or a local university. Not everyone is like that (i'm not in college, not for a while), and I'm sure you'll find a nice group of friends. Don't worry abt it! You have a long time to go (me too, like 5 yrs!)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

True, most schools will have that..it all just depends on who you surround yourself with and the things YOU decide to do. if you don't want to drink, then don't! i think it's awesome that you don't want too...i don't either.

-lauren

Anna said...

Ick, Ohio State? (Sorry, had to say it. I'm a U of M fan. :p)

But I think you pretty much get that at any college - but you don't have to do any of that if you don't want to.

I'm freaking out about just looking at colleges at this point.. and I will definitely be looking next year, since I'll be a junior then. *shudder*

The thought scares me. :p

hope.

Beth Kephart said...

This post really touched me, a mom of a college freshman who is now home for a few days. You see so much in college, Emily; you are exposed to so much; you are forced to make decisions about who you are going to be, no matter where you go. You already know yourself and because you do you'll find your way in your own way—you'll find others like yourself. I went to an Ivy League school years ago, found myself with room mates who were incredibly unlike me, who were involved with things I'd never get involved with. I chose to major in a smallish discipline (the history of science), got on the squash team, and found my way to friends that weren't drinking and doing drugs, even as many around us were.

Emily said...

Wow, you guys have really reassured me. Thank you so much!

jocelyn said...

I'm right in the middle of the college application process myself, but from what I can tell, you can find any kind of people in college (as long as your college isn't super-specialized and has more than 500 people in it). Even if most people in college like to party, you'll be able to find a group of friends who don't, if that's what you're looking for. Don't worry about it too much!

Allison said...

Hey!
So I was looking at your blog and I stumbled across this post and I think you can help you out.
I go to the University of Georgia, which is ranked the number 7 party school, at least last time I checked, in the entire country. I've only been there for a semester, and I have yet to have a single drop of alcohol or try any kind of drug, yet I have having the best time of my life.

Most people I hang out with are awesome Christians who don't drink. I met most of them through the Wesley Foundation, a Christian organization on campus. Also, some of the people I hang out with don't do Wesley, yet they still don't drink.

What I would recommend is, don't judge a school based on it's reputation. I really didn't want to go to UGA because of the stuff I heard from people, yet then, when I think about it, every school is a party school in itself. In fact, many private Christian schools have more intense parties and have more alcohol related incidents than bigger schools. In a smaller school, I've noticed from friends who go there, there aren't as many people to hang out with, and more people will drink. If you attend a bigger university, you will have a wide variety of people to hang out with, many you will find, have no desire to drink either.

Now, if you go to a fraternity party at any college, you will encounter a lot of wasted people. I went to 2 different ones, mainly because I knew guys in them, and honestly, they were not my thing.

But don't let the reviews stop you from going to the school of your dreams. What I would do is, look up more information about the organizations that you could get involved with, away from Greek Life. I'm not bashing Greek Life at all, because I know some awesome people who don't drink who are in sororities, but I know that it is easier, and sometimes expected to drink in sororities. Look up the Christian organizations on campus, and if possible, try to contact people involved to see what kinds of events and activities they have throughout the year.

Another major factor in deciding where to go to college is if they have your major and a variety of interesting classes to take.

I'm sorry this is extremely long. Feel free to email me if you have any more questions! I'm planning to be a guidance counselor and I would love to help!