<p>So i need advice about college becuase im starting to not enjoy the experince as much as I used to. I go to cal state long beach and first semester i loved it. I met a bunch of new ppl, joined a soroity and just had a great time. There were times when I felt homesick and depressed but I don't ever remember them lasting long and definatley never long enough for me to break down and call my mom about how terrible i feel or even have the thought of leaving come into my head.</p>
<p>After winter break coming back to school was really hard and it's only the second week in. I am trying to keep a postitve attitude and see if things get better but every morning I wake up sad and it wont matter if I had a good time or not the night before. I have had some fun times since I've been back but I keep feeling more sad than happy all the time. It REALLY bothers me, because I feel like i should be thankful for how great college has been so far.</p>
<p>I am going to give this semester a shot and do my best, trying to stay posistve. I ended last semester with a 3.5 gpa and i also feel long beach really just is not a challege for me and my firneds here don't seem to take college too serioulsy. I dont know if what I'm feeling is normal but I might want to go back home and go to a JC for a year and then transfer to a better UC closer to home. I just don't know if that would be the right decision to make and what if I regretted it because I had less friends and not a good time. I also dont want to give in to homesick feelings and just run home becuase i feel like that would only hurt me in the future. Right now im just confused and depressed and need some advice.</p>
<p>There's nothing unique or unusual about how you're feeling. Many students find their first year that the college experience is not what they expected.</p>
<p>You have an important decision to make. If you truly do not enjoy the university you are at (and it sounds like you're pretty miserable there), then transferring is a no-brainer. No one should have to study at a college they do not enjoy. Staying at CSLB and remaining miserable will not help you or better your future.</p>
<p>But try and figure out what it is about the school/location that bothers you. You certainly don't want to go through all the trouble of transferring only to find you are miserable at your new school also. Make sure you visit the schools you're thinking of transferring to and talk with as many students at those schools as possible before deciding. The goal is to find a school you <em>love</em> and are excited about.</p>
<p>dkkkk2...I know how you feel (been there, done that). It sounds like you are pretty far from home is that right? Let me commend you first on doing so well your first semester, and for jumping right in and joining a sorority...those are great first steps. It well may be that Long Beach is not the right 'fit' for you. Is it because it is a commuter campus? Do you not like the area? The weather? Is it just the academics that you find lacking? </p>
<p>Your idea of sticking with it through this semester is a good idea. You could go to the counseling office and ask about transfer requirements to your UC of choice, which of your classes will count towards UC general ed., which classes you might need to get done before you apply for a transfer. How are your classes this semester? Do you have any professors that really inspire you? Could you perhaps ask one of them for extra work or assist them in research? Are all your classes GE or are you taking something in your major? </p>
<p>Are you getting enough exercise...a good workout will help to lift your spirits. Are you utilizing the student activities center? Maybe you should try taking a 'fun' class offered through them. Try meeting other people beyond the sorority. Have you a car at Long Beach? Can you afford to buy a ticket to a show, a ballet, a museum? Explore the S.Cal area a bit. I would imagine you could find a sorority sis to head up to UCLA for a Saturday afternoon, or the Getty up in LA. Exploring the S.Cal area was the best part of my college experience...and I was rather far from home too. Get out there and try a new restaurant, head to the beach, volunteer at the Girls and Boys Club, attend a church service. Try some of those suggestions and see if your spirits aren't lifted. Good luck!</p>
<p>Im glad that you realize that transfering out of the school just to be closer to home is not in your best interest. Many people feel homesick but atleast you are in a better situation than most people (sorority with friends, good grades, etc.). However, if you really do not enjoy being at that school it would be in your best interest to get a fresh start somewhere else. Just make sure if you are going to transfer that you are willing to accept that it may or may not be a better experience than what you have now. Hopefully your parents will support whatever decision you make because if they don't, it just adds to the stress. Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree with getting off campus. Long Beach can be pretty fun (I grew up there! :)) if you get out and do stuff.</p>
<p>Try the Aquarium (shoreline village in general is always a good time), Cal Bowl (they do cosmic bowling once in a while), whatever you're into I bet you Long Beach can offer it to you.</p>
<p>Oh. Ecco's Pizza is a must if you haven't already been. It's right by campus. PM me if you need directions ;)</p>
<p>It's easy to get caught up in the sheer size of CSULB because there are so many kids there (most of my high school class of 700 is there). Take solace in your sorority and try to go out and do fun stuff, especially when you're feeling depressed. It'll help. Make sure you're not just there to take class.</p>
<p>Also, the Pantegas (sp?) Theatre puts on really good shows for fairly cheap. Wicked just left, and I believe Phantom of the Opera was next? But they could have already left, I know it wasn't going to be there for very long. If you go to the theatre the day of the show (get there very early), you can often get tickets for $25 through their "lottery" program.</p>