nysmile

A good college experience should include an active campus community where you can find things to do on campus and in the immediate area surrounding the campus (within walking distance or a short cab ride). If you're not getting that, seriously consider transferring. Yes, Facebook is fun but you shouldn't have to look to the computer for fun. Find a more active campus and one that fits better with your personality. Just my opinion but from experience, I can tell you that it's not worth wasting more then a year in hopes that the campus life will get better. If it's not getting better by Thanksgiving break, you might want to consider getting some transfer applications out for next year. Don't fear transferring--it's easy to blend right into a new campus community.

sleepyman

"Parkside, lol.

Ain't no party like a Ranger Hall party, because a Ranger Hall party don't stop.

Hit up that disc golf course. It's a really good course. Did they finish whatever changes they were making to the course?"

I don't live in the Hall; I know people that do and from what I hear nothing ever goes on down there (yet, at least). One of my friends really wants to try that disc course, I guess we'll try it once we get some discs. I have never heard of any changes to the course, I suppose they finished that over the summer.

"As far as on Parkside, obviously the disc golf course. Seriously, go check out the disc golf course, it's a good one. They have a bowling alley there. They should have a movie theater there too (not like a cinema, but one that plays some films). They used to play pornos in that theater back when my dad went there in the 70's."

No bowling alley anymore :/ I've heard of the cinema, but no posted movies for it yet. Thanks for the restaurants, we'll definitely hit that pizzaria come winter.

"So how did someone from Chicago end up at this particular U Wisconsin (which I had never heard of before) ???"
Stupidity, I was desperate, and went for the cheaper price.

And that's another thing... TooRealistic, this feels like one huge mix of high school and a community college, full of fail. Almost half the students commute, and no offense, but a large number of students are older than 22... I hear the average time graduating students spend hear is 5 years, and my Art History class has at least 4 students over 30, out of 25-30 total students. Reminds me of the local community college where I come from where the average student age is like 27.

sleepyman

"A good college experience should include an active campus community where you can find things to do on campus and in the immediate area surrounding the campus (within walking distance or a short cab ride). If you're not getting that, seriously consider transferring. Yes, Facebook is fun but you shouldn't have to look to the computer for fun. Find a more active campus and one that fits better with your personality. Just my opinion but from experience, I can tell you that it's not worth wasting more then a year in hopes that the campus life will get better. If it's not getting better by Thanksgiving break, you might want to consider getting some transfer applications out for next year. Don't fear transferring--it's easy to blend right into a new campus community."
Yes I really want to transfer, the only thing to be decided is if I should spend another year here to get rid of gen ed's with the cheaper price or just ditch it altogether... my tuition is 99% payed by loans. Yeah I just need to confirm to myself that the extra tuition is worth it for a sophomore year just full of a bunch of gen ed's. I probably will transfer though, and I'll call my high school college counselor.

Actually I really look forward to transferring, I'm hoping it'll be like another "freshman honeymoon year" only ten times better, where everyone has an open mind and there are real things to do

Northstarmom

Most people in college make their closest friends by joining clubs and participating in activities that interest them. These may include participating in activities they'd never before tried out.

I notice that your campus has more than 50 clubs. Have you joined any? Fall of freshman year is usually the best time to join activities because activities are looking for new members, and one doesn't stand out by not knowing much about the activities.

If you also take opportunities to help out the club by working on their projects, you'll also make friends. For instance, S is really good at designing flyers and taking pictures, and became a valuable member of several organizations due to those skills helping with their publicity.

sleepyman

I have joined the school radio club and might join the art club, for some reason the clubs start late at this school but we'll see how that goes.

Coincidence here, I'm a graphic design major so flyers are fun to make. I know the art club probably doesn't need any help in that and in the radio club there's already a guy to talk to who makes flyers, maybe I'll approach him next time and get a split on the work

Northstarmom

Radio club and art club sound like fun clubs to be involved in.

Also consider helping with community service activities including fundraising ones. Typically, some of the nicest students are involved with community service, and often there's a great need for flyers to publicize events.

S's making flyers for lots of organizations seemed to help him become very well known on campus. He is a nice, laid back guy with deadpan humor that slips by unless one pays attention. He is not a life of the party guy. However, when we visited on Family Weekend last fall, H and I were surprised at how many students were greeting S on campus. As we mentioned it to him, a student walked by and said, "Hi (S's name). Yes, he knows everybody!"

So...those graphics skills can be your ticket to fun and friends.

This may seem like an odd suggestion, but if you're interested in meeting girls, also consider taking a social dance course. You do not have to naturally be a good dancer because the course will teach you how to dance, and those skills will benefit you for a lifetime. And -- in case you're wondering -- straight guys definitely do take those dance classes, though guys of all kind tend to be in the minority (and consequently quite popular with girls -- who tend to love to dance more than guys do).

Taking an acting class also is a nice way to meet people even if you've never acted before. Because you will do improvs and scenes with your classmates, you'll get to know them well. I'm taking a college acting class for fun now and have noticed that many of the students are taking it because they are shy and wanted to become more socially comfortable. And they are becoming more comfortable because of how these classes operate. Plus the classes are fun!

Volunteering to usher, help with publicity, help backstage with campus theater events is another way to get involved and meet people. Theater folks tend to be very friendly and fun, and they need lots of help -- including behind the scenes -- producing plays.

sleepyman

Nice heh. Contradicting my lame instincts, a dance or acting class sounds like a great way to get me out of my shell. But I might want to try that next year after I transfer, so I can focus on gen ed's for this year. But I'll definitely try some community service, flyers or not. That'll look good on transfer applications.

nysmile

Do you have any idea where you might want to transfer? This time around in your college search, you'll have a better idea of what you're really looking for in a campus. Try to find a college that has easy access to off campus stuff like restaurants, movies, art galleries if that's your thing, and clubs/bars within walking distance. Also, make sure there's relatively easy access to transportation for visits to and from home so it's not a hassle to get home during long weekends/breaks. If you get a chance to go on a campus visit/information session to one or two of your transfer options, try to get back to the campus at night so you get a feel for the student body (kids hanging out at the coffee shop, cheering on the school team at game, hanging out in the library, walking around and talking, smiling, happy, etc.).

S1 hated his first school but finished out his freshmen year there. He sent out transfer applications by Nov. of that year. During one of his winter breaks (was at a different time then most colleges) he went and visited one of his transfer options. He went to one of their hockey games at night and was hooked. Kids that he didn't even know invited him to a party, the fans were screaming and into the game, etc. After his nighttime visit, he couldn't wait to start. What a difference between his first college and his current college! Definitely search for the campus that blends good academics with social opportunities.