so im about to start my freshman year in college. i’m going to one of my safety schools and quite frankly have no desire to go to school there. i’m not excited. i’m not happy. the very thought my presence at that school makes me feel like a reject and a failure for not meeting my expectations for college, despite all the advice that people give me about what college is really all about.
anyone else in the same boat?
If you really can’t see yourself at the school for four years, you need to withdraw and take a gap year.
On the other hand, if you’re just a little bummed and disappointed, then… get over it and be the best student you can be.
Your feelings are completely understandable. But the college admissions process is in the past and can’t be changed. What really matters is what happens going forward. Fortunately, what you do at college is much more important than what college you’re going to. Dig into your coursework, meet some interesting and fun people, and get involved in some activities, and by the time you’re half way through the first semester, you’ll be fine.
Learn from your mistake, and work your butt off during freshmen year. There’s always the possibility of transferring. That said, you might actually end up liking your school. Even though you consider it your safety, there are a lot of smart kids who go to schools not considered to be among the top for financial and scholarship reasons. And remember that where you go to school has nothing to do with your future; it all depends on the person.
Make the best of it, get good grades, and then transfer. I had similar feelings about SUNY Albany, but transferred to Cornell. But you might find that you wind up liking the school. And if you do well there, you can ultimately get into the very same graduate school as a kid that went to a higher ranked school.
Since you don’t mention the name of the school you are now going to, it is hard to respond to your question. For example, if you had hoped to go to Harvard, and had to go to Georgetown or Boston College, I would not have much sympathy for you, because you would still be at a very good school.
Finally, the school you go to is no guarantee of anything. I know guys who went to SUNY Cortland, and Fordham, who did better in life than kids who went to MIT (or Cornell)