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College Bound

One of the rites of passage for many American teenagers is leaving home to go to college. Every fall, students pack up the car and drive off to their new home for the next four years. For some, this transition is easier than for others, but almost all college first years will be facing new, unexpected and unfamiliar experiences. Here is an excerpt from the journal of a college frosh.

Week 1
—Ok, I don't know how they expect me to live in a 5 x 9 cell with another person. I don't even have room for my TV and Playstation.

—Woke up this morning, and yesterday morning, and the morning before that with a hangover. I feel like all I do is eat, drink beer, sleep, eat, drink beer, sleep…When do people do work around here?

—I think I'm finally learning my way around this place. I now know how to get to: the cafeteria, the gym, all the frat houses, the four buildings where my classes are, the one bar that doesn't card and …the what? The library?

—Hmmm. My roommate seems to keep different hours from me as I haven't even seen him yet. I know he exists, though, because girls keep calling and asking for him.

Week 2
—Help! I have my first paper due tomorrow and I haven't even started. I haven't even done any of the reading. How can they expect me to fit in study time with all the socializing I've been doing?

—Still no sign of roommate, although existence is still confirmed by a moldy piece of pizza under the bed. (Yech!)

—Finished the paper just in time, but didn't have time to read it over. Hope it's okay.

—There was a dance tonight for all of the freshmen. Was more like a "stand" since that's all anybody did. I split with some buddies and went to a frat party instead. I don't understand frat parties. Who wants to stand around in a dirty house with a bunch of smelly guys drinking warm beer? Ah… me!

Week 3
—I've yet to hit the laundry room, and I'm quickly running out of underwear! Tell me again why I didn't sign up for that laundry service?

—A friend had a great idea. I've bought seven new pairs of boxers (that's a week's worth!) at the bookstore and charged them to my parents. They'll never know, right?

—Prof gave back papers. Mine was covered in red and said "Please redo."

—I don't know how much longer I’m going last on dining hall food and pizza. I miss my mom!

Week 4
—Finally did my laundry. All my socks and T-shirts came out gray. Don't know what went wrong.

—Joined the coed intramural soccer team today, and tried out for a singing group but don't think I'll get in as I don't know how to sing.

—I can't believe I live alone. This room is a pigsty! How can one person be so messy?

Week 5
—The girl down the hall says you're supposed to separate the clothes when you do laundry. I don't quite know what she means—separate what?

Week 6
—Mom wants to know what the item marked "men's intimate" was on her credit card bill. I told her it was a book for my sociology class on sexuality and gender. I wonder if she bought it.

—Have finally found said roommate. Turns out he has as car and an apartment off campus that his parents pay for (couldn't possibly live in such conditions he says). Asked him about the pizza—said it wasn't his. Ew.

Week 7
—Midterms. Finally found the library, although I don't know how anyone can study there. Two kids were making out in the stacks, the guy sitting across from me was picking his toes on the table, and two nerds in the next row were having an argument about images of ingestion in post-modern film. Oh well, I have lots of studying to do before tomorrow. Must continue cramming. One book down, eighteen to go.

—Had first midterm exam today—it was killer. Must find time to study.

Week 8
—Roommate has moved in. Apparently first years aren't allowed to live off campus. Go figure.

Week 9
—Having a roommate stinks. I did not realize how lucky I was to be living alone. Calls at all hours of the night, girls crying at our door, and the constant movement of Prada shoes, cell phones, and dark glasses—whoosh—in and out, all day and all night. I can barely keep track of the goings on in my own room.

Week 10
—Love having a roommate. He took me to some rockin' parties this weekend. Met a hot chick. We're going out tonight!

Week 11
—I got dumped. Roommate continues his swinging lifestyle with many attractive women. Hate roommate.

Week 14
—Winter break! Yeah!

Week 15
—Ugh. This is so boring. I wish I were back at school.

Recalling Information

Write T (true) or F (false) next to each statement according to the reading.


1		The student studies a lot.


2		He has a small room.


3		He drinks a lot of alcohol.


4		He does his laundry every week.


5		He cooks his meals in his dorm.


6		He thinks the library is a good place to study.


7		His roommate has a lot of money.


8		He hasn't made any friends.

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