<p>I’m definitely no used to SoCal and will pretty much be going it alone down there as most of my friends are staying in the Bay Area. This whole separation anxiety is definitely one of my biggest issues.</p>
<p>I think that’s a very normal feeling! Check out where people from my high school went to college (I was class of 2003, you can find out your own high school if you’re curious too)</p>
<p>[California</a> Postsecondary Education Commission - Freshmen Pathway Charts](<a href=“http://www.cpec.ca.gov/OnLineData/FreshmenPathwayChart.asp?Inst=383340]California”>http://www.cpec.ca.gov/OnLineData/FreshmenPathwayChart.asp?Inst=383340)</p>
<p>Most of my friends were weary about leaving home and went to Davis, while I decided to take a chance and try something new. I didn’t have one friend from high school either that I knew going to UCSB. Of course, it was tough in the beginning after living with my parents for so long to suddenly be separated 330 miles from them. However, the great thing about UCSB is that it’s easy to make friends because people are so friendly to each other. It also helped me mature as an individual, and I learned to handle my problems by myself.</p>
<p>*Any more advice/criticism/comments? Anything I can do to make the transition easier? *</p>
<p>I just want to say that ultimately, there’s no guarantee that you will enjoy UCSB. Yes, a lot of partying does go on in Isla Vista on the weekend and a culture of drinking does exist among a certain population. Being on the beach, there are a contingent of students who fit the classic “SoCal” stereotype. And yes, you are moving far from home to a new place which will be uncomfortable to begin with. However, it’s a large school and I think you’ll find people that share similar interests. In full disclosure, I just want to say I wasn’t a star student at UCSB and I did partake in the party scene to a certain extent (though in no way do I think that the partying was what kept me from doing better, it was procrastination and poor study habits). However, I definitely saw many people who worked their butts off and balanced entertainment and academics very well (including the girl I dated while I was at SB - she’s in the honors program, taking the GREs later this year, and applying to grad programs in January).</p>
<p>I also think the fact that you’re getting a full ride is a big advantage too. Did you know that there are families that spend thousands of dollars to [vacation</a> in UCSB’s dorms for a week in the summer](<a href=“http://www.familyvacationcenter.com/]vacation”>http://www.familyvacationcenter.com/)? And [everyone</a> loves it](<a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g33045-d262318-Reviews-Santa_Barbara_Family_Vacation_Center-Santa_Barbara_California.html]everyone”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g33045-d262318-Reviews-Santa_Barbara_Family_Vacation_Center-Santa_Barbara_California.html)! You’d be getting this for free, haha. The campus really is beautiful.</p>
<p>I don’t want to suggest dropping out now and going the CC route to Berkeley instead, but I suppose if you do turn out to be really miserable, maintain a high GPA and apply for a transfer. I think with credentials like being in the honors college shouldn’t make transferring too difficult (although it’s obviously not a guarantee). Ultimately, this is just one person’s opinion. I also went to UCSB so I do have some loyalty to the school. I think only you can make the right decision. Look deep down and I think you’ll know what the best decision for yourself is.</p>