Happy with college decision?

<p>How happy or unhappy are most freshman with their college selection? Mine turned down Johns Hopkins, GA Tech, Wash. U, & others to attend UF in state. I'd say biggest factor was the $$$; even after scholarship offers, the cost was still very high at the other schools. UF seems okay- lots of school spirit, etc.... but very big & lots of partying. Mine likes to have fun on weekend, but the weeknight partying by so many is very extensive- even among the seemingly more academic students (until grades come out, I imagine!). I think the size makes it more challenging to find like-minded students. Any suggestions? Mine has talked lately about possibly transferring out of state. Doing well academically; just seems to think it's not the best "fit" for three more years. Would poss. prefer something smaller & more academically focused, bigger variety of cultural activities, etc... I just want to make sure a change is for the right reasons. Any other UF students not happy with experience? Any students who trans. after freshman year? Just curious to hear other perspectives.</p>

<p>I hate my school. UND no, not Notre Dame, University of North Dakota</p>

<p>^ lol…</p>

<p>Frankly, I’m pretty unhappy and disappointed with my college choice. Although I love the academics here, I feel like I’m more interested in them than other freshman. I take advantage of all the speakers who come to campus while everyone else is getting high. My school is in a small town and there’s nothing to do on weekends but drink or smoke…I’m very lonely and seriously considering transferring to the state university back home. I know I shouldn’t just go there to be with my friends/family…but I’m afraid that if I transfer my loneliness will follow me to my next school…sometimes I wish I had just gone to the state school to begin with, but i know if I did I would always wonder what my life would be like if i hadn’t…</p>

<p>Harvard?..meh it’s alright.</p>

<p>Not very glad about my selection at all. There don’t seem to be a lot of people who share interests with me, and it seems 99% of the student body likes going out and getting drunk each weekend (and Wasted Wednesday). So I basically can either sit around doing nothing or I can tag along with some friends and then watch over their drunk asses for the next few hours. Not that I object to taking care of one’s friends, but it’s not how I envision a fun night.</p>

<p>I’ve found it very hard to be motivated to do work, although I think that’s partially on me because I’m not quite sure what I want to study (or ‘do’ in life). But it’s also on the school… I thought I wanted to do engineering, but after realizing how terrible I am at advanced mathematics I’ve decided I’d rather do something like accounting. Which is all fine and dandy except that my school makes it nearly impossible to transfer into the business school. So now I can either stick with engineering (which if I really don’t like it will end up an utter waste of 4 years and WAY too much money) or I can take something like political science. Great. All throughout high school my parents and college counselors told me how college is awesome because you can take the things that interest YOU. And now I’m interested in something and told I can’t take it because the school it’s in is too full? Christ.</p>

<p>I’m strongly considering going back home, studying at the CC or state school for a year, then joining the Air Force or Navy. It’d give me some direction in what I want to do, and it would definitely give me the discipline I need to have good study habits. I’d get to give back to this country, be on a fast track for citizenship, and hey the college money isn’t bad either (especially the Yellow Ribbon Program). Not to mention that depending on what I do, I could end up with a strong vocational background so that I’d really only need a degree for the sake of ticking off a box that says I’ve got a degree on job applications (specifically I’m thinking of Air Traffic Control… the USAF gets you FAA-certified and ATCs in the civilian world can make a LOT of money. And I love airplanes).</p>

<p>@Maidez I know what you mean. I wonder how different things would be if I had gone to VA Tech, or if I had worked harder in school and gotten into Georgia Tech. Maybe I’d be more enthusiastic about engineering, or I’d have an easier time switching into a program I want to do.</p>

<p>I was unhappy with my initial college choice, which was mainly chosen for financial reasons (my parents are unable to pitch in for any costs). I transferred and am spending my junior/senior year at a college that I like about 100x better. :)</p>

<p>The first two years were tough but I saved at least 15k in loans and now I’m happy. Things worked out.</p>

<p>Seems liked a common thread is that the excessive drinkers have hijacked the social life at some places. My oldest S at HWS for a semester til he starts at Midd in Feb loves the debate team, his profs, and classes, but the vomit in the showers is distressing. He hangs out pretty much exclusively at the honors house, where people drink but aren’t so totally blasted all the time. An all-male dorm seems to be a big minus.</p>

<p>hbananamom, I also turned down Stanford, Duke, Harvard, and Tulane to attend the University of Oklahoma because of money. Four years at the other schools would have left me about $250k in debt, but by going to OU I’m making about $7k a year. My situation seems pretty similar to yours. OU sounds a lot like UF from your description. </p>

<p>Academics are OK, but they are certainly not a priority amongst students. The campus revolves around parties, typically greek parties where heavy drinking is encouraged. One can get a good education here, but it takes a great deal of work in order to find students that truly care and challenging classes. After a few months here, I have found some people who aren’t too into the party scene, but it took some effort on my part. The first few weeks were pretty tough, but eventually I settled into a good routine here.</p>

<p>I think it all depends on what you are looking for in a college. Personally, I plan on taking over a family business in Oklahoma and settling down with a girl who I’ve dated for awhile. The state school works for my future plans and is the best option financially, despite the social leanings of the general student body. A friend of mine eventually wants to leave Oklahoma and make a name for himself on a national academic level. After a semester, he realized OU is not the best option for him, so he is transferring to a smaller private school. </p>

<p>Like I said, whether or not you stick with the state school depends mainly on what you want to get from your educational experience. If you feel that you’re being cheated academically and your current school won’t let you accomplish your future goals, then transferring will be the best option. Just remember that while it may seem like EVERYONE on campus is into the party scene (as I thought my first few weeks), there are some people in school for an education. Plus, there’s always the excellent chance that a large chunk of the students who don’t take classes seriously will drop out when their grades come in.</p>

<p>gosh there are a lot of bitter grouchy people on this thread.</p>

<p>I LOVE MY SCHOOL!!! To be honest, I think anyone who is willing to adapt (and be social) can have a great time at nearly any school, whether you party/drink/or prefer to chill and slave away doing homework on the weekends. If you don’t have the ability to adapt to your situation, how can you ever be satisfied? Not everyone is a stereotypical CC student…bottom line, most students are interested in getting a good education and having a great time (BOTH).</p>

<p>Not saying that students should just shut themselves away to study the whole time. But for the first few weeks it was a bit difficult finding students who knew ways to have a good time that didn’t leave them with headaches the next day. After spending a little time here, I was able to find some people who didn’t need to get plastered to have a good time. They are in the minority, but they are there.</p>

<p>I absolutely love my school!</p>

<p>The atmosphere is great, the academics are great, my friends are great. I have a lot of fun. I’m involved with campus activities, go see the plays here and at Syracuse, hang out, go downtown or the movies, study with friends, and occasionally go out even though that’s a huge thing here.</p>

<p>D loves her school. Can take what she wants- no problem getting the classes she wants. She works hard at her classes and so far is pleased with grades. Has two advisers to help her navigate the massive course catalog. Loves her dorm. The campus is beautiful and easy to get around. She does warn that you have to avoid the “Lance Armstrong wanna bees” at the bicycle roundabouts. She can party if she wants: study when she wants. No pressure to party but parties are available for those that do. Roommate is cool. Has good friends. According to her, on a scale of 1 to 10- it’s a 25. The financial aid is amazing. She is very lucky.</p>

<p>@emgamac, what school does she go to? I love my school but your daughter’s school makes it sound like I should transfer. ha ha</p>

<p>I went to UF undergraduate and I love the Gators…however…I readily admit that UF is not for everyone. It has very large freshman classes, lots of partying, and a huge, sprawling campus. Seems to me from what you described, your daughter would be happier and better suited at a private school with smaller classes offering individual faculty involvement, along with more students with similar academic mindsets, etc.</p>

<p>Ok it’s incredibly stupid to post without saying the name of the school you are referring too. 99.99% of the people here don’t give a rat’s ass about your lovely daughter’s personal expierences, we just want info on colleges. For anyone that wants to make a useful and informative post, actually list what college you are referring too. Thanks.</p>

<p>Most people in the ‘college life’ forum seem to already be in college. So we’re just looking to hear about other people’s experiences. So sod off.</p>

<p>S loves Elon - classes, professors, academics, lots of opportunities. Some stupid first time away from home students, but not most. He’s active 16+ hours a day and happier than ever. Lots of friends he’s likely to know the rest of his life. The right choice (for him).</p>

<p>I go to UCSB.</p>

<p>Personally satisfied with my school. I’ve met plenty of friendly people and haven’t had too much of a problem with my social life. Academically, people here are more serious than what I’m used to in high school, which is great. At the same time, they are not too serious to the point of losing touch with reality. The campus itself is very serene; you just can’t beat a beach right on campus. </p>

<p>The biggest con, however, and the only thing that makes me doubt my school decision, is the partying/drinking atmosphere here. I consider myself a little more resilient to peer pressure, but even I get a little distressed sometimes. However, I have faith that this is one of those things that can be overcome by getting used to the school (I’m only a first-year) and associating with other groups of students. I have to remember that there are still thousands of kids who don’t participate in those kinds of activities; it’s just that the other kids are the ones who draw all the attention. Another thing that helps is not to demonize the party/alcohol culture, which is something I know a lot of people like to do. Don’t make it worse than it really is.</p>

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