<p>First off let me introduce you to my situation. I was the typical smart kid slacker in high school up until senior year until it clicked per say and then i realized just how easy it was if you actually read etc. I went to a SUNY school and bolstered my GPA. Then I narrowed down my next college to two schools. Drexel and CU at boulder. Drexel offered me a scholarship and proximity to family while Boulder has a very clear reason for why college kids would want to go to school there in addition to it's natural beauty. I choose Drexel based upon it's co-op programs but I'm starting to think I made the wrong decision. This school seems geared towards prepping students to go into the professional world but I still am unsure what I want to do. Plus while it hasn't been diagnosed I think I have some sort of depression and being in this city makes me feel down.(Might be lack of friends since I applied for dorms but got stuck in an apartment with a roommate who goes to class, does hw, and plays a computer game solely.) While Drexel seems like an awesome school I just don't think it's right for me espicially since when I was in Boulder I was non stop smiling and the 300+ days of sunshine sounds pleasant... I would talk to my parents but I feel like in the first two weeks I have been here I have already made them listen to me enough so figured I should get an outside perspective before talking to them... So did I make a mistake or am I just going through the typical first time away from home problem?</p>
<p>Too early to tell, but I’d talk to housing about getting into the dorms as soon as a room opens up.</p>
<p>Sounds like first time from home. I think getting into the dorms is a good idea. Join some clubs on campus.</p>
<p>Easy to say “move to the dorms”, but this student has probably signed a lease for the year. Can you sublet your room if you move to the dorm or into some other student housing? I think the grass always looks greener, though… one of the issues with transferring is that other students already have social groups formed, and it is harder to break into them. Sounds like your roommate is not helping.</p>
<p>I second the suggestion that you join some clubs. Any interest in a frat (I think you are a guy, but can’t tell for sure)? Sometimes there are also service frats that do not have houses (so are a little less “Greek”), but are like clubs that do social stuff. And some big campuses have co-ed frats (there were a couple at my university). I know someone who joined a sorority at a big university specifically because she was in an engineering program that was all guys, and she just wanted to meet more people like her (meaning: of her gender). She had a really good experience doing that. So it can help build a social life.</p>
<p>Regarding the pre-professional aspect, hopefully the co-op experience can help you with deciding what to do. (Sometimes all it tells you is what you DON’T want to do, but that is useful to know sometimes, too). Do you have 2 or 3 years left of college at this point?</p>
<p>Be sure you get some exercise. That can really help lift your mood. Intermural teams are a way to do that. It is pretty key to find (1) things to do so you are not sitting in the apartment all the time, and (2) ways to link up with other people. Try that for the next few months and see how you are feeling then. Try to NOT spend too much time with your family – get involved on campus instead.</p>
<p>Agree with intparent. And I also suggest you go see the school’s counseling service if you feel depressed. They see lots of students, don’t judge, can provide insight and suggestions, and often are free. It might help and all you have to lose is an hour of your time. And by the way, make sure you are getting enough sleep (one of the major factors in depression) and eating well - join a campus meal plan so you eat at least one or two meals every day with others rather than alone at home.</p>
<p>I agree with intparent and M’s Mom. An additional thought: even though you are probably stuck in a year’s apartment lease, some student apartments allow room swaps after a specified time. My son is in a student apartment complex that does this, and he is currently going through this process. I’m not sure how the openings occur: maybe students drop out or are booted out for nonpayment? Anyway, he is being given a list of openings to look at and the apartment will allow a transfer. He had to wait 30 days to apply. Maybe you can speak to the apartment management about this.</p>
<p>I’ve always said that schools like Drexel and Northeastern are best for professionally oriented students. Not necessarily for students looking for the “traditional” college experience. I say this as a parent of a NEU grad, so no judgments, just a statement of fact. At these schools, especially after your freshman year, it’s ALL ABOUT THE CO-OP. And if you’re not into this kind of education, these are not the optimal schools for you. </p>
<p>However, OP, that doesn’t mean you can’t make Drexel work. A change in your housing situation may improve everything. Also, sign up for intramural/club sports, join an organization, hang out on campus as much as you can. NEU had ways to really make the campus experience an enriching one, and I’m sure Drexel does too. Give yourself time to discover them. I think beating yourself over “making a mistake” is a bit of a waste of time, since I think changing schools AGAIN isn’t advisable, IMO.</p>
<p>Don’t new Drexel students get a cultural passport that allows a free admission to each of about 30 venues? And cultural is a broad term that includes everything from offbeat museums (medical oddities to Mummers artifacts) to the zoo.</p>
<p>I went to Drexel (many years ago) as a commuter - however, I think I spent more time on campus than at home. I made some close friends and bought a sleeping bag and managed to spend at least 4 nights a week on someones floor. We took great advantage of Philly’s night life and all the museum (we also loved the zoo).
I guess what I’m saying is college life is what you make of it and believe me, there will be plenty of things at another college that you can find to complain about if you try hard enough.
Give it a chance, make friends and join clubs. If you do all that and it still feels wrong, then explore another transfer.
On the other hand, thanks to the co-ops I did while at Drexel, it was much easier for me to nab that first job in a very competitive/difficult field.</p>
<p>“College life is what you make of it and believe me, there will be plenty of things at another college that you can find to complain about.”</p>
<p>This is so, so true. </p>
<p>PS. I live in Colorado and know plenty of kids who complain about Boulder.</p>