<p>I'm a second semester freshman at a school with a population of around 10,000 students. I live about an hour away, but I decided I wanted to live here rather than commute, which was my first mistake. I hate living in the dorms, even though I'm in the supposed "nicer" building. I find myself constantly surrounded by people who act like middle schoolers. They're obnoxious, cliquey, and mind-numbingly dull. It doesn't help that that's a pretty sufficient way to describe most of the students I've come in contact with, whether they be freshmen or upperclassmen.</p>
<p>Going into college, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I'm a history major right now because I like it and I'm good at it. I have no interest in teaching. I've researched different job options for my major and they really aren't what I want at all. </p>
<p>The classes aren't bad as far as general ed. requirements go, but I still find myself blowing them off because I'm filled with a feeling of dread when I think about going. Class used to be the only acceptable part of college, and now I have the same feeling about them as I do about everything here.</p>
<p>Because the general population of the school is unpleasant, I don't know many people. I'm friendly, but for some reason, trying to be amicable gets you a dirty look here (it's happened multiple times). I have about three friends here, two of which I met last semester and almost never see now. The third is my roommate, who was my friend in high school. </p>
<p>I go home every weekend, and on the way back to school every Sunday I get this horrible depressed sinking feeling. I've cried at least once a week this semester because I hate it here so much. I'm seriously considering dropping out of school even though I know that would probably be the worst decision I'd ever make, not to mention the fact that my parents wouldn't have it. But when I think about the fact that I have to go through three more years of this, I can't take it. I don't know what I should do.</p>
<p>Walk to the college’s counseling center tomorrow and make an appointment. Speak with a counselor about the feelings and thoughts that you mentioned in your original post. Print out the post, bring it with you, and show it to one of the counselors.</p>
<p>Not sure if you’re a guy or girl, but my own son felt this same way. He had a miserable first year and near collapse by May. We should have listened to him when he said he wanted to transfer.</p>
<p>That was several years ago, and transfer he did. It was the best thing for him. He went to a small LAC that was closer to home and in a much smaller setting. The teachers got to know him and he finally enjoyed that “college experience”. I don’t want to suggest that that’s what you should do too, but know that you’re not alone and there are other options.</p>
<p>I’ve talked to someone already, I was told that I was just homesick and that I should involve myself in the school. I’ve done that with no luck.</p>
<p>I’ve considered transferring but I still feel like no matter where I go, college is pointless. I honestly think that in the end I’ll have these loans with a useless degree.</p>
<p>Transcendenta: I completely understand your situation but dropping out isn’t going to solve it. Sometimes we have to do things that we don’t like to succeed. In this case, you want to have a better school with academics and a smarter, friendler student body. There are more than 3000 schools in the US and I am sure you will find a place where you will be happy. College is not useless, try to focus in your future goals. And remember, nothing is easy in life.</p>
<p>Just going to say that since History is not actually a pre-professional major your job prospects really aren’t limited by your major. You can go to grad school for something completely or law school, so if you do still enjoy the material stay with your major and know that you’re not really very limited by your choice. If you were say, an engineering major and didn’t want to be an engineer that’s a different story.</p>
<p>You really need to stop thinking so hard. Stop being so critical and analyzing or the next phases of you’re life are going to be hell. Do you think people who think for themselves make it in life? Of course they don’t.</p>
<p>Let me tell you, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble unless you start conforming and stop with this philosophical crap. Listen, college is a time where the professors and administration are there to make your life miserable and oppress you, and you’re supposed to be glad that you’re finally away from your parents and their rules. You should be happy. Geez, what is the matter with you? Aren’t you ecstatic that you’re away from your parents? You don’t even have any financial responsibilities so stop being lazy and complaining about it. If you’re not happy at college you’re probably a loser.</p>
<p>I suggest you start conforming and stop thinking independently or you’re in for some tough years ahead. Start going to parties, join some clubs, and at least pretend like you’re there for a reason. If you start to wonder, “Why am I here again?” you’ve just gone over the edge and started thinking independently again. That’s when you drink some alcohol and flush out any sort of critical or cynical views you have in your head. That’s what college is about, living in the present. So just go to parties and drink alcohol. If you start to think about the terrible job market for college grads or colleges have stopped providing any value to the market or that the textbooks are too expensive you need to get that out of your head immediately and go seek some professional help and take anti-depressants. Actually you would probably be better locked up in a cage.</p>
<p>@transcendenta
Your problem is not the college or the people around you. It’s the fact that you probably thought by now things should have fallen into place. You’re not 100% certain on your major and worried where it will take you. Most kids change their major a few times before they find something they truly enjoy.
Try taking a variety of classes and maybe something will click and you may have a different outlook in regards to the academic issue that’s going on.
Now the social issues you are having on campus. Well the only thing you can do is join a club or try to be more approachable. I don’t understand why people would give you a dirty look if you’re just trying to strike up a conversation.
You mentioned your roommate is your friend…why don’t you hang out w/ her and her friends on the weekends?</p>
<p>You’re being way too hard on yourself. Plus you’re only a Freshman you have plenty of time to figure it all out.</p>
<p>Also if there are other things going on that are getting you to have such a pessimistic view on everything try seeing a counselor at your college.</p>
<p>Your opinion of your fellow students no doubt comes across to them when they meet you. No wonder you have few friends there. I wouldn’t want to be your friend either.</p>
<p>Do you want to live at home and commute or transfer to a community college where you can live at home? You are not the only freshman who thinks like you do. I don’t know what your loan package is like, but living at home would certainly ease the debt. I’m not pushing you toward moving back home but a person can get their general ed requriements done living at home then transfering to a four-year. Only you know if it’s the specific college you don’t like. I know someone else who went 3 hours away from home and drove back every weekend first year crying her way back. She ultimately transferred to a more local college, lived at home another year, then moved to an apartment and finished her degree. She chose teaching as a profession and it worked for her.</p>
It’s true that a history major can prepare you for many things, but you must provide evidence to support the claim that professional majors such as engineering are more limiting. I don’t think that’s true at all.</p>
Transcendenta hasn’t been on this site since February 2011, which you can see if you click on their name. (Try it with mine!) If you want help, make your own new thread.