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The atmosphere of it is very relaxed and because there is a quad centered between the two dorm buildings A and B buildings , everyone at Porter tends to meet each other, giving the college a sense of community. Choosing a different college could have altered my freshman year dramatically—the disparity between resident colleges at UCSC is remarkable considering the stereotypes often associated with Santa Cruz as a whole. It can be daunting going off to a big campus for the first time away from home and not having a single friend, so if you can try to get yourself out there, whether with someone you meet in class or friends you make in your dorm halls that can lead to good social networking for sure.
I made most of my friends by leaving my door open so as to let my hallmates know they could drop by and say hi or come introduce themselves. Other people did the same and it made it really easy to spark conversations in the dorms, often giving it a very camp-like feel.
I tried going to as many random events as I could, for some that could be getting involved with their college senate, college newspaper, campus intramural sports, etc. There are plenty of informational meetings that take place on campus that can help you get started—going to these is a sure way to meet people who share common interests. The first month is generally a good time to go to the Bookstore Quarry to get information about clubs from the club representatives themselves, as many of them are out there trying to recruit members. These are just two of many events that take place during the year.
Getting out and socializing is always a good way to go, but honestly the best way to make friends is just to get outside at all.
Hang out where you are likely to meet other new students, eat at one of the campus cafes, read outside, etc. I made my best friend in college on the first day of move-in; we both happened to be lost in the quad and ended up having a conversation which led to an adventure of locating our classes.
I was taking a shower and my friends thought it would be funny to swipe my clothes and my towel. It took a second for me to realize I was in a Porter Freshmen dorm, so I walked back to my room in the nude. I think it was one of the least embarrassing moments of my life. Not only did I have a source of food by my side at all times, I would end up seeing everybody. I met a million friends there, and have great memories being there, but at the same time the dining hall became my worst enemy because I totally gained the freshman 15!
I was eating all the time, and I learned the hard way that that is not very good for your body. Your body doesn't really need all that food.
It is hard to spend lots of time there hanging out with friends, and at the same time not eat everything in sight. It was so common to find people who wanted to have real conversation, and who could truly express themselves, that really blew me away. My experience with the people was something I had no idea was even possible. Perhaps it is simply situational: What really ties the floor together to form a tight-knit community of friends? I believe that freshman-year communities are born in the dingy, clustered and much-dreaded co-ed bathrooms.
I am a freshman myself, living in one of the oldest residence halls on campus, Unit 3, after 18 years with a room and bathroom of my own. For myself and my peers, many of whom were so used to living in the privacy of our homes, learning how to live with a huge group of unknown people on a residence hall floor is a surprisingly drastic transition — like a never-ending summer camp.
As freshmen, we can learn to live in one of two ways: While some linger in the hallway and leave their doors open to socialize, others choose to cherish the single private space they have and stay inside their rooms. But no matter how hard anyone tries to live apart from the communal residence hall environment, the one space that is common to all and cannot be avoided is the bathroom.
The politics of a residence hall bathroom are endless.
Six sinks and shower stalls are open to use for everyone, but certain stalls are reserved for standing. This makes for many an awkward moment when a male floormate enters a sitting stall.
Timing, poise and good humor are crucial to coming out on top in the bathrooms. The moment of inner relief upon entering the bathroom to a quiet and unoccupied space never lasts very long.
No matter what time of day you walk in, someone will either already be in the space or follow in after you.