I’m a second semester freshman in college and I don’t like it at all. I’m far away from home and it’s hard because I realized I am a home body. I have met many people here and I don’t seem to fit in with any of them. They are nothing like my friends in high school and I don’t feel comfortable around them. I go to all the big events and still don’t feel comfortable.
I am from the Midwest and am currently at school in the south. The vibes are very different and I miss home. I don’t like my roommate either, so that doesn’t help. I tried out for the cheer team and didn’t make it, and I also rushed and didn’t get into a house I liked (11 sororities, I liked all except one) so I ended up dropping out of rush.
I have had major anxiety since I’ve been here, and I feel alone. My parents aren’t open to the idea of transferring, and definitely not open to the idea of taking a semester off. I like my major and have been getting the best grades I have ever gotten, but schoolwork can’t be everything. I just came back from a 6 week winter break at home, so to say it was extremely hard to go back to school is an understatement.
I sincerely don’t know what to do anymore. Any advice?
Buckle down. Get good grades and transfer next fall. It will go by fast.
Well, if the student’s parents aren’t open to transferring, that isn’t very helpful advice.
OP, sometimes students find friends 2nd semester or even later, so don’t give up. And honestly, some students gutbiut 4 years at a school that is not ideal for them because of financial and other reasons.
Do you know why your parents aren’t open to transferring? Keep getting good grades, maybe if you talk to them over the summer if you are still unhappy they will be more receptive to a transfer next year.
Meanwhile, keep busy. Get a part time job, volunteer, try other activities or clubs.
When a HS senior goes off to college, it opens-up a ton of variables. New place, new home, no friends, new academic game, etc… It’s difficult, really difficult as the anxiety, loneliness, and depression builds, its hard to focus on one’s studies. It’s easy to overload and become overwhelmed by this excessive amount of change. I’d advise taking it a day at a time and work out physically EVERY morning to get some positive feelings flowing. Don’t be afraid to have some sessions with a school therapist.
Continue the dialog with your parents about transferring next year but don’t let your grades slack in the meantime. Years ago, my future spouse transferred from our cc to UCB fulfilling a dream–it became a nightmare. Only a transfer to my smaller state college a year later allowed a successful finish. Mom had a major meltdown at first but eventually came around. Hang in there, you can beat this!!
Thank you. I’m not entirely sure why they won’t let me transfer. I liked this school at first based off the college visits, but in the end my dad picked this school for me regardless if it was my first choice or not. They’re very stubborn about the topic of transferring. I have a feeling they think it’s embarrassing that their kid doesn’t like their college and wants to transfer when most kids enjoy the experience
The parents will come around. They are spending serious money.
Hang in there. My eldest daughter felt all those same feelings in her freshman year at URI a few years back. She felt lonesome and missed home and friends from home etc. She went to the college therapist and talked to her and she helped tremendously. We ,as parents, did not encourage her to look into transferring either because we felt the feelings of loneliness and isolation would just start all over at a new college. She eventually found friends that she had things in common with but it took a while. She became a tour guide there and got involved in things on campus that she loved and met her now fiance. I agree with the above poster who said to try to work out each day also, that gives you a positive feeling and gets your endorphins going! Stay positive and you will be a shining star!