If the life on campus does not interest you, see if you can get involved in something off campus. Depending on your time (and needs) you could get a part-time job. Or you could get involved in a religious organization (church/synagogue/mosque) or a volunteer organization. Some towns/cities also have clubs and events, for instance if you like music you could join the local chamber choir, band, or symphony, or – since it sounds like you came from a more rural area – if you like animals and the country life you could join the local 4-H chapter. Think of the clubs you’ve joined on campus or in high school and find an off campus equivalent, if you joined the school newspaper and it doesn’t ring your bell, get involved in the town newspaper.

If you are able, go home every so often, or if not, visit a place like your home. Get in your car – or find someone if you don’t have one – and take a drive to a beach or to find a country road. If you really dislike it that much, you might consider transferring, being at a highly acclaimed school is nice but not worth suffering for. Good luck!

Alot of people use this to their advantage and dive head first into their studies. You picked this school for a reason, go back to your original plan and analyze what has really changed. ALOT of people use their first years at school to unplug from mom and dad, it sounds like you have your head on straight and need only wait for the rest to catch up. You made it a goal to go there, dont let memories of the past divert you from your goal. With all the methods of communication at your fingertips you should have no trouble keeping in touch. Perhaps invite a friend or two to visit?

get into church and get around people more like you. see if you can qualify for hud apartment near college. not all hud is bad. dont let people tell you that you dont qualify becouse you are in college. good luck.