Can't handle college commute? Dropping out? CSU to CC to UC?

I am currently a commuting freshman at CSUF and I have been having a terrible experience. During high school, I made the terrible mistake of applying to colleges somewhat aimlessly. At the time, I was interested in computers. CSUF accepted me, I heard it had a pretty good engineering program, so I went here. Currently halfway into this semester, I’m beginning to feel a boatload of regret. To begin, I live in Riverside - 1 to 1.5 hour commute each way Mon-Fri is extremely dangerous, tiring and stressful. (dorming is not an option financially) Most days I arrive home… go straight to work and don’t get off until late night. I’ve also come to realize I don’t really like computer engineering. I’m doing okay, but only making it by the skin of my teeth. I didn’t think commuting and working would be this hard. Now, I’m at a crossroads.

I’m seriously considering dropping out after this year, going to my local community college and then possibly transferring into UCR. I really think CC will help me explore my passion as well. My parents say that I should try to transfer from CSUF to UCR, but I’ve heard that it’s not easy or possible (I’d really like to know how to go about doing this in terms of credits and such, but I’ll probably make a separate thread for that). I feel that this isn’t how I should be experiencing college and more importantly, I have a growing feeling that I truly don’t belong at CSUF. My philosophy is to always put happiness first, and I think dropping out is the way to go.

I know that many will think that it’s just “college life”, but my experience has truly been not so great.

I know that this was a very personal topic, but I’d appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance

LA traffic is no mystery… what did you think the commute would be like?
You can transfer from a CSU to a UC but, only as a JR - that’s a LOT of hours in traffic.

If renting a room near campus is out of the question, i’d look to transfer to your local CC in December, then TAG UCR. Why torture yourself further?

Echo @NCalRent - get out of there, into a CC, and transfer as a junior; you won’t be able to get into UCR at this point unless you have two years under your belt. Clearly, you understand how poor planning makes for poor results - that commute is ridiculous. There are 5 CC’s less than 20 miles from Riverside.

And don’t think of it as “dropping out” but as “changing schools”. I don’t think anyone is going to think less of you for wanting to cut your commute time. CC will give you a chance to calibrate at a much lower cost (both tuition, gas, car depreciation, and bodily stress).

Agree with others that you may want to transfer to a nearby CC after the end of this semester and work on preparing to transfer to UCR as a junior (probably after another 3 semesters of CC following 1 semester of CSUF), because that long commute to CSUF seems to be a lot of trouble for you.

I agree that a 1 to 1.5 hour commute is too much. Can you afford to live on campus?

@DadTwoGirls Unfortunately living on or near campus isn’t an option financially

@NCalRent @Undercrackers @ucbalumnus Thanks so much for the replies, it seems that each of you said that it would be best to drop out immediately after this semester and transfer to a CC and I think that is what I’m planning to do now. I do have to ask: Will all of my CSU credits transfer over to a CC so that I can go that junior transfer-into-UCR route? Also, how will my financial aid be affected in the aid I’ve received this semester as well as the aid I am supposed to receive next semester at CSUF when I transfer? These are some factors that worry me, but I really want to get out of here!

I am planning to speak with my academic advisor about this transition soon, but I will admit that I’m a little anxious to talk about coming up with a plan to leave their school just because I feel that I don’t belong here and can’t handle the commute.

If anyone else would like to weigh in, I’d really appreciate it!

“Unfortunately living on or near campus isn’t an option financially”

Then I agree that the commute is just too long, and that speaking with your academic advisor ASAP about a transition is a good plan.

I agree with your plan to move to a local CC - the only thing I would add is that it is very difficult to get thru an engineering program with a long work schedule. Add in the commute and it’s no surprise you are struggling. Hopefully you can make some adjustments to position you for success at your CC and UCR. Good luck.

Yes, your CSU units will transfer neatly to the CC - hard to say about UCR.
I am not sure what it will do for your financial aid… fortunately, Ca CCs are really cheap, even if you have to pay the full freight. A counselor at your CC should be able to help with both.

Can you find a room to rent for $400/month near the school? You probably spend that in gas anyway plus it sounds like you work p/t so you can find a p/t job in Fullerton to help with living costs. Just an option…

If it isn’t an option financially…did you apply for need based aid?

OP, don’t stress about informing your current school that you are leaving. This is not something they have never heard before, and if you feel you must justify why you are leaving, your reasons (terrible commute and financially unable to live closer, plus seriously rethinking your major) are extremely valid. Make your plan and work your plan. I went from 2 years at a private, 1 year at a CC when I wanted to change my major (and didn’t want my parents spending major $ while I figured that out), and then 3 at a CSU. Once you settle on a major at a school that has a reasonable commute, it’s just about knocking out the classes for your degree. You can do this!