<p>There are over 20,000 students at UCSD. Find your niche, stick with it, and you’ll enjoy your 4 years. I, personally, am going to UCSD for three reasons- it’s in SD, it has great biomedical departments, and it’s in one of the most beautiful areas on the west coast. If you aren’t a grumpy-gills coming here, you’ll enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>The secret? Find people like you. If you want to party all day, go for it. I basically partied nonstop fall quarter of my freshman year. I’d come back to my room at 4 A.M. and would start my warren writing papers while still buzzed. Heh. If that sounds appealing to you, go for it. But some things get real old, real fast. Especially if you do it too often. I guess you could say I got all the party out of my system in my first year. But you don’t need to party 24/7 to have a great time. You just need to meet the right people, make the right friends and you’ll have that college experience you want. San Diego has a lot more to often than what meets your eyes initially (there’s a lot of touristy spots that are breathtaking…). </p>
<p>Bottom line, college is what YOU make of it. If you’re committed to your academics to the point where you’re just sitting in your dorm room studying 24/7 then of course it’ll be boring. Just go out and meet people and don’t be afraid to be yourself. If this means going greek for you, go for it.</p>
<p>how easy is it to find your niche?</p>
<p>Haha, I definitely don’t plan to be a grumpy-gills. Thanks for the responses! I was just curious as to how everyone would approach it. </p>
<p>I’m NOT a party person (so no greek for me). Once in a while is tolerable. I’m not worried about the amount of “party scene” on campus. What I am slightly worried about is having to go through that whole introduction phase all over again, if you know what I mean…I don’t think I’ve made new friends in a school setting since the beginning of middle school x] I’ve been stuck with the same people for a long time.</p>
<p>Ugh, I hate it when people complain about not getting into their “first choice” school–I heard enough of that senior year!</p>
<p>xpenguin: Btw, where are those breathtaking spots? :]</p>
<p>@Hellohighered: San Diego itself is a breathtaking spot 
I’m a local, and I turned down admissions from other schools specifically because I didn’t want to leave this city. You’ll find amazing scenery everywhere you go. But specifically, Balboa Park is cool, the cliffs are, of course, amazing, downtown SD is a really cool place, Seaport Village is pretty touristy but it’s a nice place to kill an afternoon.</p>
<p>@californiagurl92</p>
<p>It took me half of freshman year before I really found my first best friend, and towards the end of the year before I found my other best friends. So, who know. Just be open and active and you should be fine.</p>
<p>@UCSD Tritons: Yeah I was thinking about going to Seaport to sort of give my parents a crash course in San Diego because I have to spend a good chunk of time moving into my dorm (tomorrow, ee!). Balboa Park sounds really awesome, but I think that’s a trip I’ll take during the school year with new friends :] since it’s kind of an all day thing. What are the best casual restaurants in Seaport?</p>
<p>@Hellohighered I personally love the San Diego Pier Cafe, their seafood is amazing</p>
<p>Seaport Village huh? I’ve never heard of it, but my family is coming to help me move in so maybe we’ll go check it out.</p>