Extremely unhappy with my College Decision-What are my options?

Applying to College
1

<p>Let me just get things straight before I ask for your advice. Earlier this year, as a high school senior, I was picking between two colleges San Jose State U (which is the city where I grew up), or Purdue. I was leaning towards SJSU, even though Purdue may seem like a bigger and better school.</p>

<p>I'm easily influenced by others, so my dad and uncle pushed me towards Purdue. I fell for it. </p>

<p>As the months went by, I got extremely depressed with my decision. Purdue's located in a rural area, which is different than what I grew up with. Not to mention, Indiana is miles and leaps different than California. </p>

<p>I'm usually a very happy person, but as a result of this poor decision, I became extremely depressed. I've lost some weight, stopped working out, stopped playing my favorite sport, but I've maintained my GPA fairly well (3.5). And yes, I have made a lot of friends, but even hanging out with them doesn't seem to improve myself.</p>

<p>Then, Thanksgiving break came. I went home, and my mood and attitude completely changed. I became my old self...for a week. Yes, this might be homesickness, but this homesickness is a direct result of my bad decision making earlier the year.</p>

<p>The first semester is about to end, and I have the second semester to look forward to. My Tuition&Room/Board is $22k/Semester. I'm thinking to myself: "If I've been so miserable here, why stay miserable for another semester and shell out 22 grand?"</p>

<p>Many California State Schools won't even look at you until you have 2 years/60 credits. I don't think I can push on for another semester, let alone another 1.5 years. So, here I am, dumbfounded.</p>

<p>What are my options right now? Since I still don't have 60 credits, I don't know what my best options are. Can anyone provide some help or advice? Should I drop out 2nd semester, and reapply as a freshman again to California State Schools? (If this is even possible?). I will also try to apply to Santa Clara University, which is a private.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Try to get a hold of yourself and have a forward looking outlook on what is best for your future. Go to the counseling center at school right away and find out why you can’t adjust or deal with short term situations. Basically your goal is to be okay with yourself wherever you are and stop blaming others. Then you can think about putting in an application for next year. Meanwhile start working out again whether you feel like it or not, go through the motions, that is more beneficial to you.</p>

3

<p>So many students are miserable their first semester or first year at college. This is extremely normal. Many of those students leave, but many of the ones that stick it out end up getting through it and being happy where they are. And listen to BrownParent. Going through the motions is most of the battle.</p>

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<p>Another option is to transfer to a community college, then transfer as a junior to a UC or CSU after completing 60 units and the needed prerequisites for your major (see [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) if you want to go this route).</p>

<p>Note that UCs and CSUs disallow applying as a frosh if you have attended college after the summer immediately following high school graduation.</p>

5

<p>If you took 8 or more hrs fall sem, then you will be considered a transfer at SCU as well:</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.scu.edu/ugrad/transfer/[/url]”>https://www.scu.edu/ugrad/transfer/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You need to check the websites, colleges vary in who they consider a transfer. However, if you do finish your fr year, you’ll be a transfer to any college.</p>

6

<p>There is nothing whatsoever wrong with taking a formal Leave of Absence from Purdue, going home, finding a job, and getting over this sense of burn-out that you have. While you are taking the time off, you can check out the possibility of transfer admission at SCU, and options for enrolling in the various CA community colleges. When summer rolls around, if you feel like heading back to Purdue instead, well go ahead and do that.</p>

<p>Hang in there. You have more options than you thin,.</p>

7

<p>I’ll make a couple of comments. My D goes to Purdue. We are from the midwest and she is only a little over 3 hours from home not a day long trip by plane. She likes Purdue, however, she too was dreading going back to school after Thanksgiving. I think part of it is seeing friends, family, and remembering the good things about living at home and having your peer group that you’ve known for years nearby. Dreading Dead Week and Finals week is common even among those who like the school.</p>

<p>You are right about the midwest being very different from CA. The winters days get short, we are typically very cloudy and can be rather dreary. You may be experiencing a bit of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) that comes from not getting enough sun. You’ve been given some good advice. You could also come back for one more semester and see if your mood improves as the weather improves over the second semester. You’ll have about two months, spring break, and by then the days will be longer and spring will begin to kick in. </p>

<p>You may also be experiencing some separation anxiety. You are a long way from what is familiar with little control over what to do about it. I would guess eventually you would begin to feel more at “Home” in your new environment, however, only you can make that decision. </p>

<p>I am just a parent and make these observations from my experience with my own time in college and other kids I have known who have gone off to various colleges. Good luck with any decision you make.</p>

8

<p>I suggest that you start taking 2000IU of Vitamin D3 right away, and consider getting a special full-spectrum light to combat SAD. According to my Dr, you can get one that is good enough for about $100 on Amazon. You can just sit with it on you for an hour or so per day while you work on your computer.</p>

9

It has been more than a year, so what did you end up doing? Did you continue at Purdue?

10

If you look closely you’ll see the OP had one post - this one. No one knows what happened after that because the OP never came back. Closing old thread.