<p>So I am going to be a college freshmen in a few weeks. I applied ED to my college and I could not be happier to go back in the fall. However, I always wanted to do a gap year but never really had the chance to look into it. Now, I am really not excited to start school. This whole summer I have been having housing issues, such as my roommate and suite mates all being sophomores. I was able to get switched but i am worried that my new roommate and suite mates are going to be crazy partiers( a couple of them even asked if anyone else smoked weed in our suite). I am not a huge partier and a do not like to drink that much. On top of that the school over enrolled so now my suite, which is meant to house 8 girls( 4 doubles, a mini kitchen, and a common room) is being converted to hold 10 girls(no common room). My parents and I are extremely frustrated because my school made it clear that applying ED I would have priority housing. My parents are going to call the school tomorrow to get some answers.</p>
<p>Finally, the past three summers I have gone on mission trips to the Dominican Republic. I just returned and after seeing everything I saw, I am having a hard time imagining me enjoying the typical college life. The work that I did in the DR is my passion and after the trip I just took, I realize that I want to do this with my life. I plan to move to the DR after I graduate and work for a nonprofit but I am having a hard time wanting to go to school. I am sure some of it is nerves but I am not excited at all anymore. I know I do not have any questions but some wisdom would be much appreciated…
Thanks</p>
<p>The only recommendation I can give is to try to keep an open mind. There must have been things about this school that you really loved enough in order to apply ED, and I’m sure the housing situation will work itself out.</p>
<p>Also, there are often many opportunities to study or volunteer abroad in college, and you may be able to spend schools breaks or summer volunteering abroad, if you wish to do so. There is also great work that you could probably do near your college during the school year, so keep an eye out on organizations that interest you or volunteering opportunities.</p>
<p>You don’t need to have any “typical college life” that you may be imagining, and you can have whatever sort of experience that you want to, if you keep an open mind and seek out experiences that interest you. Hope everything works out with your housing!</p>
<p>Even if a lot of your roommates are different than you, you will still find people that are similar to you (if you open yourself to others and try to get to know people).</p>
<p>I think it is a good idea for your parents to call but if they don’t transfer you out of the room, just try to stay positive. Everything in life will not be perfect and this is just one of them. </p>
<p>As far as taking a gap year, try not to think about that because it is really too late and most parents don’t even like thinking about their child not going to college.</p>
<p>So basically, just give it a chance. You obviously liked the school enough to apply ED, don’t let a housing situation and some re-entry reverse culture shock let you stray away from something you have been planning for so long. DR will be waiting when you are ready to study abroad, when you graduate, or maybe next summer.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>