<p>I must say, as a South Dakota native with many friends at SDSU and USD (fairly similar student bodies), I am slightly insulted with characterization of many of the people there as “stupid/ignorant.” It is certainly true that SDSU is not the best school out there, but several from my high school class ended up attending, and I would not classify them as stupid/ignorant. And more importantly, having experienced a geographically diverse student body at my college, I can tell you that South Dakotans are some of the nicest people in the entire country. No matter where you are, complete strangers will make eye contact, smile, and say hello. Midwesterners are known for their friendliness and hospitality but, having experienced life in Indiana, it does not compare to the friendliness and hospitality of South Dakotans. </p>
<p>I understand that SDSU is not your ideal school, especially with the essentially nonexistent Muslim community. Try to make the most of your experience and embrace it as much as you possibly can before you move on to your new school or to the next stage in life. It sounds like you are doing a fairly good job of that having the group of friends that you do. Just try not to look down your nose at them.</p>
<p>Eastafrobeauty, you know I’ve always been rooting for you, and I’m actually really glad you are making the best of where you are at. It can be tough when its not your ‘dream school’ but if you can learn a lot while there, if you have found a good circle of friends, and if you can use this time to blossom, AND have it be affordable, that is such a fantastic investment!</p>
<p>There are always pros and cons to being a big fish in a little pond or a little fish in a big pond. Right now you are experiencing some downsides of feeling like a big fish and you need to focus on the benefits of being a big fish (especially since later you’ll see the pros and cons of being a smaller fish when you transfer to the bigger pond!). </p>
<p>The big downside of being a big fish is you are lacking pride and feeling frustrated with your classmates. I didn’t sense you were saying this about the whole student body, and of course at every school there is a range of ability and background preparation among students. But I think your reaction is extremely normal if a significant number of your peer group isn’t working at the same level you are (in terms of either ability or motivation). Or heck, I’d say it doesn’t even take a significant number…in fact it only takes a few talkative ones in each class to bring down the class discussion and make things very frustrating for others. That is the down side of being a big fish. </p>
<p>But this also means you should focus on the temporary benefits of being a big fish! THis means you should be getting top grades AND using the opportunity to get involved at a deeper academic level. If you aren’t relating to (some) of your classmates, seek out research opportunities, start attending the weekly seminar series in the economics department, start having conversations with your professors about your future plans. Here is a fantastic opportunity for you to invest yourself and learn even more than you would in the classroom, build up your GPA, and take advantage of being able to stand out as a ‘big fish’ (if you actually are such a fish). This will also serve you well for when you want to transfer: research experience will look great, the faculty can write you letters, and so forth. </p>
<p>Maybe if you can’t take pride in your university right now, you can take pride in your achievements while there! Make the dean’s list, get to say you are working for so-and-so on their research, get involved in some clubs or initiatives on campus that matter to you…</p>
<p>Good luck with it!</p>
<p>Trust me, there are lots of ignorant morons at UMN too. Based on some people I knew in high school, there are probably plenty of idiots at Ivies too. This is a fact of life.</p>
<p>If you aren’t interested in agricultural econ, transferring probably makes sense. (In defense of South Dakota, I believe USD is the bigger business school while SDSU is mostly ag and engineering.)</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take full advantage of everything your current school has to offer. If your classmates are dumb, you should be making A+ grades. If you have made friends, you should do things with them. There’s not a lot you can do about the low Muslim population, but maybe the diversity office has some resources available.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>