Should I transfer colleges?

Question

I am completing my frehamn year at a small prestigious university 5 hours from my home, where I am on partial merit scholarship. the people are nice, the classes are challenging but great. However, I'm not happy; I cry all the time and have even been diagnosed with clinical depression by the counseling service here. Over winter break when I was home with my parents I was happy for the first time in a long time. Now I am considering transferring to NYU, from which I can hop on a train and be with my parents anytime I need to in 40 minutes. However, NYU is very expensive but I have a best friend from home there to live with. What should I do? Please give advice.

Answer 1

My roomate in college was in the same situation as you. After the first semester, she suspected that the school was simply too far from home and friends. By the end of the first year, she was sure. She transferred to a different school closer to home, and she was much happier.

You can be going to the best school in the world right now, but if you aren't happy, then you should transfer.

Normally, I'd suggest that you try to use the resources at your current school to make new friends there, and stick it out. But with clinical depression, trying to do that may be very, very hard. And having your family nearby, to rely on, may be vital to help you recover. And, since NYU is a damn good school, I do suggest that you look into transferring.

Also look at the other good schools in NYC. NYU, of course, but also Columbia, and Manhattan College. MC may be a good fit - it's very small, has a real campus-feel to it, and is a strong school. You may benefit from attending a school that is smaller, so you don't feel so lost.

Depending on your major and the type of school you're interested in, you may also consider Manhattanville, up in Purchase, Sarah Lawrence, in Bronxville, Fordham, Rutgers, Princeton, and Drew University. All are good schools in that area.

But smaller may be better for you right now - Manhattan College, Sarah Lawrence, or Manhattanville.

Transferring is not failure. Transferring, if school is part of what's making you miserable, and if recovery requires you to be closer to home, is SMART.

Answer 2

Just try waiting out the rest of the year and see if you can make some friends and go out and have some fun. Maybe join a fraternity/sorority. If you live in the dorms theres usually people around that are far away from home also so theyll probably make you feel better. Thats probably the reason your depressed is just because your homesick. If it is thats something you should get over before you graduate because you dont know where your job might take.
Unless you just want to stay around you home/family for the rest of you life, which is something you should also discuss with your counselor.
If you dont feel better by the end of this school year then yeah definitely transfer theres no point in staying at a school that you will most likely drop out of anyways or cause mental truma to yourself.

Answer 3

it is so widespread to experience on my own your first semester at school! My first semester I called my mom and my pals from homestead daily. in case you're having some days the place you like it, i could say it is worth sticking it out until the tip of the 12 months. that's going to probable get greater desirable as you're making greater pals and start to experience greater mushy. shifting could make issues worse because of the fact which you will ought to start throughout assembly new people and getting settled. as long as you're at a stable college and you're doing properly academically, i think of you need to stay. Reevaluate your emotions and your recommendations on the tip of the college 12 months.

Answer 4

Transfer. You need some support. If you're going into depression at your school, there's no point in staying. Transfer if you can. It's better to be in debt than to commit suicide.