Escaping the Sub-Free Stigma

College Life
1

<p>I came to college as a casual drinker and occasional smoker of both weed and cigarettes. However, when filling out my housing form, I asked to be in sub-free because I figured I would want a quiet place to come back to after partying elsewhere. However, I did not realize several things:</p>

<p>1) My school intends for the people in your hall to be your main friend group. While I am very fond of all my hallmates, only a few of them are not sub-free themselves. Because all of the sub-optional people have formed tight groups with their own hallmates, it is hard to find people with whom to get up to not-so-wholesome activities.</p>

<p>2) Even if you are not a sub-free person, you are judged just for being in sub-free housing. This association has severely stunted the social life I expected to have outside my hall.</p>

<p>3) While the sub-free halls themselves are quiet, the surrounding halls are not.</p>

<p>I am going to be a sophomore in the fall and will no longer be living in sub-free (never ever again), but I am worried that I have diminished my chances of finding a stable friend group, as everyone has already gotten really cliquey. I have a couple of good friends, but I feel like I’ve barely gotten to know anybody over the past school year. I’d really like to meet some like-minded people, but I can’t seem to even figure out who they are. What are some good ways that I can put myself out there in the future and shake off the sub-free stigma?</p>

2

<p>Rush for Greek?</p>

3

<p>Going Greek is an excellent suggestion. Furthermore, next year is a new year, you’ll have to meet people in wherever you’re living then. Luckily, smoking and drinking are very social activities, it’s easy to just get in on them, and they make you friendlier so it’s easier to make friends :)</p>

<p>In my opinion of course.</p>