Hey everyone. I’m currently a freshman at a college only a few miles away from my house. I lived on campus fall semester but moved home during finals and now commute. As soon as summer orientation, I began questioning my decision. It just didn’t feel like I made the right decision anymore. However, I did go into the school year open-minded, made an effort to make friends, and made myself stay on campus for the first 5 weeks I was there without going home.
During the semester, I had a few bad experiences (relationship issues, stress with school, nothing too serious). These problems however did seem to impede my efforts to feel like I belong at this university. When I started going home, I would dread Sunday evening when my parents took me back to school. As a result, I became very depressed, and after talking with my doctor and parents we agreed that moving home for spring semester would be best. I am involved on campus, and most importantly I am doing very well academically, but even being a commuter now I feel like I’m just constantly bothered by the fact that I don’t belong. I’ve resolved those personal issues too, but still just feel like I’m in an incessant funk at this school. Also, I have come to realize that the program I am in won’t allow me to meet all of my career/academic goals. This program doesn’t even allow enough room to minor in something, where as most other schools with the same program require you to minor in at least one other area. It’s probably also worth noting that this campus is in a city, and I really feel as if I’m missing out on being on a campus.
Basically, my problem is that I can’t decide if transferring would be best for me or not. The program I am in is rare, so my options are kind of limited. I’m also extremely close with my family so it is important that I don’t stray too far from home. I’m either going to give up being at home with my family and will have to move somewhere at least an hour and a half away (I know that sounds lame because it’s not far, but I’m a homebody), or put up with being unhappy for the next four years. I never expected that I would feel so out of place, or as if I’m missing out on something. I’ve concluded that it’s as simple as that I made the wrong decision, and socially and academically this isn’t the right fit for me.
I’m planning on making an appointment with someone in the counseling center this week, but if anyone who is in this situation, has been in a similar situation, or is a parent of someone who went through this could give me some advice, that would be great. Thanks!