<p>I'm currently a sophomore at a top-tier university, and I kind of hate it there. It's really far from home, and I'm bothered that I never really get to see my family and friends from back home. I'm also not a fan of the fact that we use the quarter system: besides the fact that it's extremely challenging as a science major, I feel like it's hard to really get into a class in such a short period of time. The weather sucks, and I don't like the city my school is in. I would have transferred last year, but I didn't feel my first quarter grades (the only grades the schools I applied to would see) were good enough to get into any of my top choices. I suffered from depression last spring, but having 3 months of summer to relax really helped. Thankfully, I have adjusted and worked hard, so now my gpa is much better.
I'm debating if I should transfer now since I have a really good group of friends here at my school. I'm scared to feel like an outsider when everyone at other schools has known each other for 2 years and been through all the first year and welcome week events together. Also I'm wondering how going from a university ranked in the top 15 to a school ranked close to 30 would impact my future job prospects.
Sorry this was so long but any thoughts about if I should transfer or just stick out another 2 years?</p>
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<p>Don’t transfer. You have a really good group of friends at your school and if you transfer you might find yourself without any friends. Also, you’re at a top-tier university, which will pay dividends upon graduation.</p>
<p>Also you should thoroughly hash this out with your therapist before making any major decisions.</p>
<p>Transfer if you feel you will be happier and better off at the other school, just know:
You won’t be an outsider. Gain friends. Don’t assume that everyone has known each since the first week of school. You should know college doesn’t work like that. </p>
<p>and…
You won’t be negatively impacted by US News Rankings. Your job prospects are dependent on other things.</p>
<p>Few places are attractive in January when the weather’s not great. So I can see how the thought of a new college somewhere warmer appeals greatly.</p>
<p>You’re actually in a good mental place right now. You’ve got friends, you’ve settled down, you’re working hard. It’s just taken you a bit longer than others. </p>
<p>What I’d be a bit concerned about is that if you’re a bit prone to depression, while you’d get a lift out of the excitement of applying and transferring and the new-ness of the next college, you’d then find yourself back to square one and trying to settle in. If you don’t already, fit some keep fit in at least 3 times a week. Doesn’t matter if it’s jogging, yoga, aerobics, karate. Something that gives you a break from worrying, adds extra structure to your week and adds to your fun and relaxation. </p>
<p>Could your family, or the odd member come up for a weekend once or twice a year? Or meet them somewhere half way? Do you have Skype? Could you go away for a weekend with your new friends to another city that’s more fun?</p>
<p>Adult relationships fluctuate a lot. People go to different colleges. You find work somewhere different. Perhaps move once or twice and that’s all before 30. Facebook now means that you can still keep in touch with your hs pals 20 years later in a way that was pretty hard/near impossible until recently. Maybe at Spring Break or the Summer, you could arrange for your old group of friends to meet together, even if its just for dinner. Quality over quantity.</p>