How Honor’s Carolina Affects the Social Lives of Cobb’s First Years

Preface: 

Honors Carolina is a selective program that UNC students can join as first years. Before conducting this study, I had little to no knowledge of life in Cobb – the dormitory for first year honors students. Luckily in my Music 213 class, I met Allie Sadoff, an Honors Carolina student, and we became great friends. With Allie’s help, I was able to see daily life in Cobb and the social interactions between students. Before conducting research, I believed that Honors Carolina made it easier to make friends and lasting connections here at Carolina. I expected to learn how Cobb amplified the power of support and community for UNC students. However, through research, I confirmed that there are some inconsistencies of this belief. So, I conducted an observational study and interview in order to answer how Honors Carolina affects the social lives of Cobb first year students.

Background Info:

At first glance, honors college programs are a social safe haven for UNC first years. Claiming to create a community that fosters connectedness, community, and opportunity (Smith, Story et al. 2016, p.183). In some cases, like the University of Southern Mississippi Honors college study, students involved claimed to feel a “sense of family”. However, at the University of North Carolina, the honors students are on the opposite side of campus from the rest of the freshman class. Therefore separating them from most of their community. Also, in many ways, Cobb is different than other first year student dorms. For example, Carolina Housing describes Cobb as “tucked away behind tennis courts and Cobb Parking Deck” referring to it as a “peaceful and studious community”. While first-year south campus dorms are marketed as exciting and vibrant by describing it as “home” to first year students and in walking distance from prominent UNC social activities such as the Rams Head Rec Center (Carolina Housing).

So, Honors Carolina claims to offer an environment in which sharing ideas and forging friendships takes center stage. However, these benefits overshadow the fact that Honors students will be isolated from most of their peers, possibly hindering social connections.

Observations and Analysis: 

Through a unique interview, an Honors Carolina first-year student, Allie, opened up about how she established professional connections with her dormitory neighbors at the expense of losing deep connections with other first-year students. As shown by the location of the interview, cobb is quiet. Throughout the interview, I could count on one hand the number of students that passed by us. This was surprising considering we were in the very courtyard of Cobb. The only sounds that could be heard were the smashing of tennis balls resonating through out the night. This contrasted from the vibrant social atmosphere of Hinton James – my UNC first year dorm.

Inside Cobb, was no different than the outside. Within these marble tiled floors stood a focused, studious community of students. As I observed the “Sobby”, the prominent second floor lounge of Cobb, I found that this community was close knit but competitive.  When I first entered the room silence filled the lobby because they noticed that I was a stranger. Unlike myself, when other Cobb residents arrived in the Sobby, they took a seat next to their peers as if it were routine. This shows the familiarity that these students have with one another.

Next, I saw evidence of Honors students displaying friendships. For example, two students showed a sense of compassion for one another while conversing in the Sobby. At first glance, it was two boys talking casually, but I noticed that the words they used were caring and showed a sense of mutual understanding. For example, one of the boys acknowledged that his friend was wearing a new set of clothes and complimented him on his dress. The friend was visibly excited that someone took notice of his new style choice, smiling as he continued to converse with the others. 

 The conversations shared in the Sobby were primarily focused on academics and future career plans. All the while, students typed away at their computers, completing assignments, showing that even in a social environment like a lounge, school work still takes precedence in Cobb. Throughout the night, the attitude and conversation began to get stressful and competitive as they questioned each other about grades and academic progress. Due to this, students began retreating back to their dorms or burying their heads into their computers. I myself, did the latter, below the cloud of imposter syndrome that hung over me. 

Allie seconded this experience. Stating that at times she feels a sense of “self doubt” in the presence of her Honors College peers. 

In the interview, Allie describes how this competitive environment has led to constantly feeling like an outcast. When asked if she felt a deeper connection with her fellow Cobbites than other UNC freshmen; she answered with a definitive “no”.  This is due to their constant behaviors of studying and academia related conversation. With furrowing eyebrows she described her frustration with the constant feeling of being “behind the pack”.

From the interview, I learned that pressure to perform well academically hinders her social life at times. Painting an image of how her peers studying in their dorms on Friday nights pulls her to studying instead of hanging out with friends. This was surprising to hear considering the common stereotype that college students feel pressured to go out on Friday nights. However, in the Honors college, it is quite the opposite. From an instance like this, we can see that peer pressure is still in effect in Cobb but in a way that limits social activity and causes students to gravitate toward academics. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Honors Carolina markets its self and the Cobb dormitory as a space that emphasizes community and friendships. At times, this notion is held true, however, due to its isolation from other freshman dormitories, students are forced to connect with their fellow Cobbites. As a result, the social lives of these students are impacted by academic striving and competition. In the future, it could be helpful to allow Honors Carolina first year students to choose where they live on campus so they can cultivate their own social experiences.