Nervous about College?

It is entirely normal for a new student to feel nervous about classes, fitting in, etc at college. Do yourself a favor and stick it out. Going away to college is a privilege many are not able to take advantage of.

Set your goals and go for them. If sorority life and "boys" is not what you are in college for, that is not necessarily a bad thing. College includes that stuff but primarily it is a time to learn about yourself and what you want to do with your life.

But, I agree with your mother. Independence and the ability to live on your own are key learning's from college. Give it a try.

Give it a little time. You are having the normal separation anxiety many new college student's get the first time they live away from their "parent's home".

Note I did not just say "home". You do not live there any more. You are now only a visitor when you go there. You have grown up and left the nest. This is also a time of great angst for you parents as well. It is a normal part of growing up and you have to plow through it to become an adult.

As for the partying, it is strictly optional. You do not have to participate. The ones that party a lot have lived in a fairly repressed environment and are only tasting the freedom away from their parents for the first time.

The partying will die down to only Saturday night before too long for 95% of the students. And theones who continue to party more than just Saturday night, will flunk out and they will not be there next semester.

Aw, sorry to hear that you are homesick, nervous about your classes, etc.

Don't be worrying about your classes. If you need help with your classes, maybe you can go to like a tutoring center on your campus.

Living in a dorm - it can be fun or maybe not. You could make new friends on your floor. If you are not the party type .. maybe you can ignore those people that ask you to party or to go out for drinks. Since you pay for an education, and for living in a dorm .. unless you are a free riders to your college.

If you decided to commute, you can still have fun on your campus, making new friends, etc.

First, deep breath.

You can do this and you will regret it if you leave. I could give you the talk about how you will confront these things eventually in life. I will leave that to someone else (it is worth a read BTW) But I am going to talk to you about remembering who you are and what your goals are. You cannot measure your success by what your brother does. You go to class, enjoy the campus and the people you meet (there are others not guzzling beer and doing other things). You will eventually hook up with others who are serious about their studies if you seek them out and you (together) will have your own fun. Talk to your RA. If you need to, change rooms.

Until you can get acclimated, spend off time in the library and go out on campus and see about joining academic clubs (or whatever) that you are interested in. On weekends spend time with your friends you make outside the dorm (you do not have to love your roomie - or do things with her or live with her if you can convince your RA) - or head home to get a bit of a respite (and do your laundry, etc.)

Talk to your brother about what you are going thru. He can help and will like to know he can be there for you.

It is always rough the first semester. Later, you can get the heck out of the dorms and get an apartment with people you actually want to live with.

Stick it out sweetie!

Well, forgive me , but I think you have a more mature attitude than your mother! College is the key to your future and partying won't get you anything but trouble. I am 41 and going from community college to Rutgers and I am nervous too. It's normal and it sounds like you have a great attitude. Ignore the partyers and work your butt off and you'll do great. If I had done that I would not be back in school at 41. Your mom sounds like she just wants you to go to college to meet a husband. That is very "old school" pardon the pun. Best of luck. :)