<p>“I think you should stick out the full year and apply to transfer in the spring. Don’t college hop back to a CC.”</p>
<p>I don’t fully agree with that. I was faced with a similar situation 40 years ago. When I came home for Christmas, I knew I couldn’t go back and went to CC. I thought I was going to stay for one semester, but ended up getting my AA with good grades and then transferred to a good school and had no trouble keeping up with students who had been there all along. It just wasn’t worth it to be miserable. Having said that OP should work hard, come home at the end of the semester and make the decision then.</p>
<p>You have been there less than a month. You haven’t even given it a chance. Yes, it looks worse to transfer twice. Only go back to the CC if you can’t hack the academics where you are. Otherwise, use all this extra time you have if you don’t develop a social life (although if you take the suggestions out here you probably will, but you actually don’t seem to want suggestions…)… anyway, use that extra time to study and get great grades this year, thus improving your transfer chances.</p>
<p>I do agree with @intparent that you have to give it a chance. My son was a freshman last year. He is not exactly a social animal. He didn’t know what his major would be. He had roommates who were basically unresponsive. He was away from his girlfriend. He wasn’t getting feedback from his classes. He started to wonder if he would have been better off if he had gone to another school. He did come home every 2-3 weeks. Then he started to get feedback and was happy with his grades. He did concentrate on his studies. In his second semester, he decided on a major, kept up with his schoolwork. This year he has a better roommate, is in his major and enjoying it. He still comes home to see his girlfriend (we live 80 minutes away),</p>
<p>One other thing in my story is that I was 1000 miles from home. My only respite was spending Thanksgiving with my aunt, uncle and cousins 300 miles away.</p>
<p>Many, many, MANY freshmen have a tough time their first semester, or even their first year, at every school. The transition is more difficult for some than others, and they assume that if they had gone somewhere else, everything would be perfect. Back when I was in college, I was miserable and homesick my first year. However, in my second year, I decided to get more involved. I joined the rugby team, even though I sucked as a player. I got involved in a film society. I went on some dates. And suddenly life was good. I went to Michigan for grad school, and it was a great place, but I bet that many of the things that Ann Arbor has can also be found in Urbana, if you start looking.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that you feel lost at your school. That is tough. I do believe there are other kids like you who are feeling the same way. Here is my suggestion: spend every minute studying and focus on getting the best grades in your classes. That way you’ll have a much easier time if you still want to transfer next year.</p>
<p>Thanks familyof3boys :). I know now that the typical college experience (Big 10 rah rah) is not for me. I belong at a small school in or near the city. That is where I will truly be happy.</p>
<p>The grass is always greener… you don’t seem interested in suggestions to find the people like you there. It is a huge campus, there ARE people like you there. And a “small school” OR “near the city” doesn’t even make sense. Most of the small schools aren’t near cities – so you are setting yourself up for being away from a city with an even smaller pool of people to pick from as friends. And being near a city is no guarantee you are going to find people like yourself. Even at a rah-rah Big 10 school, there are plenty of people who aren’t into sports and partying. But you are not looking very hard… you sound like you are feeling sorry for yourself instead.</p>
<p>What you fail to realize is that you aren’t at the school I am attending. You can say you understand all you want, but you don’t truly know what is going on in my head. And in terms of small schools near cities, that is completely incorrect; I can name at least 5 schools near/in Chicago that are small relative to my current school of about 45,000 students. I’m not saying there aren’t people like me here, as I am sure there are somewhere. But the point is, if I don’t like the campus/atmosphere of the school, a few people aren’t going to change that, no matter how much I like them. Even if I had my 3 closest friends from high school here with me, I’d still honestly say that I miss the city and all of the options and opportunities it provided. I’m sick of waking up in the middle of a cornfield every day. </p>
<p>@berikson - You seem like such a good match for DePaul because the undergrads seem to have more cohesion, greater community, higher “happiness” factor *, and more students who seem interested in engaging in city life. DePaul could likely deliver a more satisfying undergrad experience to you, based on your tastes and interests. It’s also a good-sized school with lots to offer (not too small). </p>
<p>There just seems to be so much more despair and disconnection among UIC undergrads. Heavily commuter with little “campus life” there. </p>
<p>To decide about spring (community college or new 4-year school), first check to see if DePaul or other private schools you’re considering would categorize you as a “freshman” applicant who’d be eligible for freshman scholarships, grants/aid, or as a “transfer student” who might not be eligible for the better freshie-focused aid. You might decide that it’s best to do a non-credit internship or a job to tide you over spring (+summer?) before starting at the new school in fall. </p>
<p>Also, if you decide to take community college courses, then check with your intended new 4-year college to ensure what would transfer and apply to your bachelor’s requirements there. Plan your progress from one school to the next now. </p>
<p>It sounds like you belong in a big city with all it can offer, no matter what. Your family will be near (hope they will understand why your new school is perfect for you), the city has activities and attractions that stimulate you, the community is not dominated by a (knuckleheaded) “party” culture, etc. </p>
<p>I have been to your campus a couple of times. It just isn’t as ‘in the sticks’ as you make it out to be. And it is quite large – statistically you are NOT the only person who doesn’t want to party or cheer for Big 10 sports there. I know what is in your head – you have given up a month into the school year. Plus, you seem to think students on campuses near cities go off campus all the time. In reality, they don’t. They are typically in a 'campus bubble", working hard at their classes, participating in ECs, and hanging out with friends on campus. You are idealizing a different environment. Remember that coming in as a transfer student, it can be tough to make friends because a lot of people found groups of friends by the end of freshman year, too.</p>
<p>…But DePaul students are also going for runs or biking along the lakefront, attending plays or concerts or street fests, eating at interesting restaurants, connecting to associations and businesses in their field — and this is KEY — <strong><em>in a town that is not dominated by college students.</em></strong> Rather they’re doing these things among a diverse population of the old, young, rich, poor, highly educated, minimally educated, etc. For some college students, this integration into a vibrant city’s life is more satisfying than a college-town experience. This student does not seem to be someone who’d have much problem connecting once he’s in a more “normal” environment. Luckily, he’ll figure it out! </p>
<p>Hmm. I’m not seeing that. I’m not sensing this student is prissy, coddled, or having a snit. His report sounds reasoned to me. It seems to me he has a lot of self-awareness and self-knowledge. Sometimes you just know a school/town is not your place. Perhaps he’ll work hard academically in fall semester, find a bit of entertainment or companionship during this semester, but start plotting his move for spring. No matter what route he takes, he’ll find his way eventually.</p>
<p>BTW, OP, you might want to note if your roomie ever momentarily stops breathing or snorts as he snores in his sleep. He could have sleep apnea, which is deadly. He might need to get it checked out. </p>
<p>I’m going to tell him at some point about it. He’s overweight, which I assume is also contributing to his loud snoring. Thank you very much for all of the info/help you have provided dyiu, it’s really appreciated. I’m going to work hard to get good grades this semester and begin planning a transfer for either spring or next fall. Either way, I don’t plan on staying here after first semester. While many of my relatives have enjoyed this type of college experience, it isn’t for me and I’ve accepted that I belong somewhere else. Thanks again.</p>
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