Disappointed at College

Question:

So, sometimes I like to fancy myself the “real” Alice. Of course I’m not but I just started my freshman year at the University of Maryland, College Park. I feel lost though. And I’m in this program where my classes are during the clubs and stuff. Everyone seems to just want to get drunk and high here. I feel like I’m not connecting with people here. I meet them, but I feel like I’m so different. Like I’d rather go on a photoshoot by the bike trail or something than hang in the apartment and get drunk. I’m used to living in the middle-of-nowhere, trust-your-neighbors kinda place. Like tonight on the campus , I think someone assaulted me. I don’t know if it was on purpose or an accident though. I’m so confused and I can’t help but wondering if I made a huge mistake. I don’t know why I’m writing to you but I don’t know what else to do. I also can’t transfer out of UMD until fall 2013 or I lose my deposit. I hope things will get better once classes start (wednesday). Do you have any advice? By the way I love your books and I can’t wait until the final one =].

Phyllis replied:

College can be overwhelming those first few days and weeks, and classes haven’t even started yet. Truly, you haven’t even begun to meet “everyone,” and there are hundreds of students there who are from small towns, and those who feel the same way you do. If you continue to feel this way after a few weeks, see a counselor if only to vent. I promise that she has seen this over and over again, and can help steer you toward groups who are much more to your liking. Freshman year can be weird for some people who just can’t wait to have all the freedom they’ve imagined, and end up making clowns of themselves or worse. In the last Alice book, coming out next year, she also starts the University of Maryland, and –(SPOILER ALERT)–she gets assaulted too. Readers will see how she handles it. Could happen on ANY campus. Hang in there!

Posted on: August 28, 2012