Where to go to college, and more... ?

Question

1. I live in Clearwater, and am soon moving to the Palm Harbor-Tarpon Springs area, in Florida. I really love Clearwater because it's home to me, but I feel it may be better to go to a big college. Should I stick to St. Petersburg College, or should I go to Florida State University? Or is there alternate ideas? I want to do something in either arts or film.

2. I'm a very anti-social person, but I don't like having big places, either. Should I get a studio apartment, or a dorm room? How bad are the bathrooms in dorms and is there always someone else in there, or do some dorms come with private bathrooms? Can I get a dorm by myself, without a roommate? I may have to take my cat with me, and that would be the trouble between a dorm and a studio apartment...

3. I have horrible study habits. Does anyone have any advise on how to study? I go to a school in which I receive no homework and I don't really need to study. I'm actually not even sure of how to study. Help?

Answer 1

don't dorm.

Answer 2

The best thing to do is visit several schools and see what they can offer you. If you like smaller places, you may be happier in a smaller school. Then again, you may feel that way because the bigger places are intimidating. How will you get around in that strange place?

Dorms are much more like apartments today than they were when I was in school. My son shared a room with three other guys but they had their own bathroom and could have a mini-fridge and microwave in the room.  When I was in college 40 years ago, we couldn't even have a popcorn popper in the room, and the bathrooms were down the hall and shared with the entire floor. I was totally embarrassed the day I was in the shower after swimming class and the janitor walked into the bathroom shouting 'Man on the floor!"  I don't imagine that would happen today.

As for study habits, discuss this with a counselor, or check your local library for "how to study" books. You may need advice on organization or how to stay on task. A school counselor is well equipped to offer suggestions for these problems.