How to know it's not just freshman year...

Okay so first 6 weeks of college were amazing. I made friends, got in a sorority, and school was easy for me. Its after six weeks that reality hit. I started not like where I was at. I felt out of place. Yes, I had friends but even when I was with them I was sad. The college I chose is a good distance from my hometown, but it’s still drivable. Plus, this college is not my first choice and the whole time I was wondering what my college life would be like if I was at my top school. I became a little depressed and did not eat much, maybe one meal a day. I had no drive to do my school work. Also, I did not care to hang out with my friends. I turned them down to night outs when usually I was the one who was always down to go out. After I came home from thanksgiving break, I cried every single day till I left to go home for Christmas.
I just don’t know if this is a freshman thing or if I truly am at the wrong univeristy because right now I do not picture myself staying there for the next three years…Any help or advice???

Most people are relatively content with their undergraduate institution, whether it be first, last or somewhere in the middle of their original preference ranking. It’s because we tend to make the best of what’s dealt us, and no situation is perfect.

Based on what you’re describing, it sounds like you might be dealing with depression and rationalizing that it might be better in a different environment. I wouldn’t be so sure that’s the fix. As Jon Kabat Zinn wrote, where ever you go, there you are. If there was an inherent flaw in your environment, the first six weeks wouldn’t have been “amazing.”

I’d see your doctor. Good luck.

I concur with the above comments - seek professional help. I don’t see anything about your post that suggests your feelings are because of the specific college. I think it is an internal problem - and probably the result of being in college IN GENERAL.

I am sure your college has a counseling center. Go there. You are not the first student to feel like this.

I agree with the above posts but also what you describe are similar stages to when a student studies abroad. I imagine the same can be true for those just going away to college here in the U.S.

Phase 1: Excitement and optimism
Phase 2: Disorientation
Phase 3: Loneliness
Phase 4: Homesickness
Phase 5: Acceptance and serenity

http://www.topuniversities.com/blog/five-stages-studying-abroad

and http://thoughtcatalog.com/mariana-francisco/2014/09/the-8-stages-of-studying-abroad/