jimmyjam

I live in Brown College. It is beautiful, centrally located, has air-conditioning, and the set up is such that roommates have their own private room (sort of like sharing a small apt.). Sound good? Well, it has it's +'s and -'s, as does most everything in life. I'll explain.
I missed the First Year experience by living in Brown, and can never re-claim it. Though I love the roommate I have. This past fall we seemed to cling to each other because we found it hard to meet people while being fairly isolated at Brown. I felt detached and my roommate was depressed. We'd see all the first years from the Old and New Dorms who had bunches of acquaintances going to FB games, and we'd try to join in and did, but it was awkward; however in the end successful.
Being isolated at Brown, I winded up studying a lot, and that was good because I got GREAT grades my first semester! But was on the edge with feeling lonely, and still clinging to my roommate. IMO, there is a counter UVA-culture at Brown that made it hard for us to blend in, either at Brown or in the mainstream student life. Cursed.
Many people in the Old and New Dorms who partied too hard suffered the consequences grade-wise: there are those pesky +'s and -'s of life. Plus they don't have privacy, nor A/C.
Second semester, different story! I know who I am, and my roommate still rocks!
If I could do it over, I think, but I'm not sure, that I'd probably request to be in the Old Dorms. But, how would I have met my dear roommate friend??
BTW, we are moving to an apt. next year with two students from the Old Dorms. For those that don't know, most kids move off-grounds 2nd year.
Hope this helps someone.

PS: And for the record, my roommate and I were randomly assigned, I guess that goes without saying, what the hey?!