<p>During my senior year I applied to my dream college and was placed on the wait list. Sadly, I wasn't take off. I currently attend a large state school very different for my dream school which was a SLAC. I feel like I attend my college, not a part of it. I desperately want to transfer to my dream school, but I don't think I can go through another rejection again. Currently it's the third week of school and I've looked into joining a club, but I can't help but think of how happy I would be if I was at my dream college. I feel so lonely with only few friends. I thought I would be happy at my current college but recently I've taken several test to confirm that I have depression. Also, I've been trying to hide my depression, but it's becoming noticeable to my scholarship mentor and to strangers. What should I do?!?</p>
<p>You need to go to your college’s Student Health Services, they have counselors there who can help you. Take care of yourself, also talk to your friends, family, etc., you don’t have to deal with this all by yourself.</p>
<p>I know I should but I was raised in a household were talking about personal feelings was uncommon. I’ve dealt with my feelings by myself and I’m a very private person.</p>
<p>Me too, an Asian family, everyone kept everything inside them, not a good idea. Try to break the cycle, you need help and fortunately it’s there for you, use it. Not everyone has access to low cost/free counseling, it’ confidential, your family doesn’t have to know about it. Please try.</p>
<p>I will try. But since school has started I feel like I have to force myself to be happy at my college. Is that a sign to transfer?</p>
<p>You are probably not in a position to make a rational decision about transferring if you are clinically depressed. Start by getting better and then try to make the best of where you are as far as studies are concerned. If you are at a big school, it is likely that you can find other students who have your same interests. More importantly, if you decide that you do want to transfer, you need to have a strong academic record so find a way to make sure your studies don’t suffer and that you take advantage of the opportunities that you have at your current school to prepare yourself for another university.</p>
<p>Your family does not have to know that you are seeking or receiving services through the college health/counseling center. That information is confidential and unless an emergency happens it’s not something they have access to.
Counseling can be extremely helpful, even if it is something new to you. Your health center may also have support groups which will put you in touch with other students experiencing the same/related issues. The counseling center will be able to advise you of what you can do in your current situration regarding your mental health.
You pay for these services and are entitled to use them. Make good use of your money.</p>
<p>This is a medical situation that needs to be evaluated. Often medication can help people without counseling, but counseling can drastically improve results or work on its own. Plus you can talk about the choices that you are considering now and have some support and perspective to evaluate that. It can be very helpful to have that outside perspective.</p>
<p>Don’t fall into a magical thinking trap where some unknown place is the answer to your situation. College just started so you haven’t had time to make friends and fully transition and appreciate your situation. Going through periods of loneliness is just part of life, it goes away if you create a life for yourself. It won’t hurt to apply again, but you need to have something new to offer. Often that means having more of a track record to show. But you have to realize that getting in or not isn’t personal and rejection is part of life too.</p>
<p>Please go to the health center rather than let this go, even if it seems a little uncomfortable you will be learning how to take care of yourself. Don’t delay.</p>