I hate college. Do a lot of people transfer?

Question

I am in my first year of college and honestly...I really hate it. My best friend is even down here with me and still...it's not fun. I'm thinking I made a mistake and I should have stayed closer to home and saved money. If I went home (my college is 3 hours away) I could save so much money, get a job, still attend a good 4 year university and I feel like I'd be so much happier. I just don't think I should be paying this much money to be afraid of walking off campus (yeah, crime rate is kind of high, my roommate got mugged) and I don't even have a major. I feel like I'm in over my head and don't get me wrong, I really want to love it here like everyone else. I've heard dorm life isn't for everyone and I hate having drunk girls run down the hall every night. I like to have a good time too, but frat parties aren't my thing. Parties in general aren't either. I am looking into other clubs but I still feel iffy about the city in general. Maybe it's just not the place for me?

Oh, and please understand that I really am trying to like it and I definitely plan on staying until at least the first quarter is over. I know no matter how bad I want to go home, it's a bad idea to leave in that short of time. I just am wondering if a lot of people actually DO transfer and if it's because of the same things I'm feeling!?

AND (ha sorry I keep forgetting detail) The college back in my hometown is still a very good four year college and again, would save me a considerable amount of money. It's not just a small rinkey-dink college that I want to go to because it's home.

Answer 1

Many people transfer. It is very common. (My wife transferred several times herself until she found what was right for her) It is important for you to be happy. If you are happy, you will be much more focused and get better grades. I graduated college in 1988 and still to this day regret not transferring. I planned to and chickened out. I can see looking back that I did the wrong thing. You remind me of myself when I was your age. The drunken party image is fine for some, but not all. You should enjoy your college years, not just put up with them. Good luck!!!!!!

Answer 2

The first two years are the perfect time to make decisions like changing majors or changing schools. If you're not happy where you are then find someplace else.

I wasn't into the party scene either. There are some places to look where the scene is a little less wild if you want to explore options. Schools with a large adult or military population will have more "serious" students and less parties. Schools related to a church also tend to be less partyish.

Remember though, some parties are good -- part of college is learning to be social. You just want to be social properly.

You may want to reconsider being at home. There's something called "the 50 mile rule" that posits that "nobody from where I live can be as smart as people who come from more than 50 miles away" and that "no college close to my town can be as good as a college more than 50 miles away" -- it's insane, I know, But even Jesus observed the phenomenon over 2000 years ago when he commented on the lack of respect a prophet in his own house receives.

Make your decisions about changing majors or schools in the first two years or you will suffer the results of lost time due classes not counting in your degree. Once you reach 90 hours, you probably won't be able to transfer at all and once you're over 60 hours the differences in degree programs will cost a year of credit in most situations. If you're miserable, and it's not just that you miss home, then make your decision now.

Answer 3

Transfering can be difficult and some classes you've taken may not count at the new school. Although if you don't have a major and you've only taken basic requirements you shouldn't get too far behind. It sounds like you really don't like the school and if that's the case then transfer, but if it's just a case of homesickness maybe you should stick it out a little longer.

Answer 4

You should definitely finish out this quarter/semester, maybe even the whole first year. But lots of people transfer so don't feel bad about it. Just be prepared that some of your courses may not be accepted by your new school.

Answer 5

a lot of people change schools after their first semester or year. and yes, some classes may be difficult to transfer, but really only if they are classes that have to do with a major. most freshman prerequisite classes will transfer (they have to if its from one state school to another) and if you have to take one extra class during the semester later on to get enough credits to graduate, its not that big of a deal. i say transfer.