Frustrated

Student Lounge College Life
1

I just finished my freshman year at college and left completely dissatisfied. I haven’t found the school’s environment intellectually fulfilling and and haven’t been able to find a niche or make any close friends, despite joining many clubs.

But what makes me the most frustrated is that I’m attending a school that parents made me go to. Not because of financial reasons or quality, simply because they thought it was “better.” After receiving my college results, I ended up falling in love with a top 3 LAC. However, my parents pushed me to attend a very preprofessional university that they liked better, despite that university being lower ranked and giving a far worse financial aid package that included loans and work-study job.

I guess what makes me further bitter about this is that it seems to be part of a recurring trend. My parents chose my high school, my college, and now they’re even trying to pick my major. I don’t know what to do anymore. My parents and I fought for weeks over choosing my college and I gave up because I didn’t want to ruin our relationship. But after a miserable freshman year I’m lost trying to find a solution.

I’m can’t seem to escape their decision even a year later and I can’t seem to move on, no matter how hard I try. I considered transferring, but I doubt my parents will support that and my GPA’s only a 3.74, limiting my options.

Any advice would be appreciated and thank you for listening to me vent.

2

Do what makes you happy even if it goes against your parent’s wishes.

3

After I got into my preferred college after pressure to go elsewhere, I had a similar problem my major. I resorted to keeping my mouth shut and signing up for the major I wanted and part of my long-term educational plan. I continued to have very good relationships and was pretty general about school and what I was taking.Didn’t mention special education classes and talked about philosophy and math. I told my mother my major when I received a very nice additional scholarship to study in my chosen area.

4

First, cut that attitude. A 3.74 is a WONDERFUL college GPA.

Second, I sorta feel you. I was in a similar situation last year: I wanted to go to a school that was in a new region of the country, but my family wanted me to stay closer to home. But in my case, my family eventually let me pick the school I wanted to go to, and I finished freshman year as happy as I ever dreamed of.

What you need to do is sit down and talk with your parents. Have an honest conversation about you not being happy at your school. Tell them you want to transfer. Explain that you tried everything to be engaged but it just didn’t work for you. If they’re reasonable, they’ll be fine.

What state are you from?