<p>Go in with an open mind. I’m going to be a Freshman this Fall aswell and I’ve had more than my share of second thoughts. You can’t let them get to you, focus on why you chose U of I and ignore the positives of the other school, even highlight some of its negatives! Don’t go to U of I thinking about transfering or that theres something better, give it a chance.</p>
<p>I had a REALLY hard time making my decision for where I’d be this fall. Although, after I made my decision, the back and forth was mostly settled. The best you can do right now is go and embrace UI, and if it doesn’t click, then start to look elsewhere. But definitely don’t go in thinking for reasons to transfer, because every school has those, and if you focus on them, then you won’t value the good things you’ve gotten out of your freshman year. Good luck from a fellow 15er!</p>
<p>I would say stay at UIUC. If it ends up making you miserable, then maybe consider transferring. Right now though, you should just go in with an open mind and see how things go. Even if you do end up in IL for another four years, who says you can’t leave once you’re done with school? If I end up going to school in my state, I definitely will be exploring afterwards. Basically, don’t worry about it. Once you’re done with school, there isn’t a jail cell around the Illinois border trapping you in there. You’re going to a good school, try to embrace it.</p>
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2 words: buyers remorse. Its pretty common after any big decision. I suggest you read thru a book about cognitive therapy such as “Feeling Good” by Burns; not because I think you need psychological help but because at the root of the technique is challenging erroneous or unfounded thoughts, and thats what you’re doing big-time. A quick list of distortions is at [Cognitive</a> Distortions](<a href=“http://healthymind.com/s-distortions.html]Cognitive”>http://healthymind.com/s-distortions.html) ; read thru that and think about which apply to what you’re telling yourself.</p>
<p>I’m not saying that picking UofI over TCU was the best decision; but it was a decision. And just by reading what you’ve posted above it does seem that you’re putting up artificial constraints and barriers, making assumptions about the future. Take “branching out”. Sure, that’s nice. But at UofI you can easily plan to study abroad for a semester, which is plenty of change and challenge, thank you. You can look for summer internships and jobs in other cities. </p>
<p>On the other hand, a thought running between the lines seems to be that you were pushed into this by your mom and you more-or-less acquiesced to avoid having to confront her. You’re a big girl now. If you want your mom will happily run the rest of your life, with veto power over jobs, where to live, and who you marry. If you really think that absent your mom’s pressure you would have chosen TCU – then I think you should call TCU and see if you can work something out, and if not take a gap year and reapply. It may be a shock not to head off to college when everyone else does, but as long as you make productive use of the year it will be a benefit. A year’s maturity over the other frosh never hurts either.</p>
<p>TCU is a conservative girls wear sundresses, pearls and Rolexes and men wear khakis, polos and Rolexes to class kind of school. Is that really all that attractive?? Also UIUC is hands down a better school in most areas. And more diverse.</p>
<p>girls wear sundresses</p>
<p>I see this comment a lot, and it’s meant to be rather derogatory. Do you know WHY girls in the SE and SW wear sundresses??? Because it’s hot. </p>
<p>Written by a mom who is currently wearing…a sundress.</p>
<p>When it’s hot and humid in the midwest most girls will just wear shorts and a light top. Sundresses are a very southern sorority girl type thing.</p>
<p>Or a mini skirt</p>
<p>[Crowd</a> | Flickr - Photo Sharing!](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/j_benson/3501257964/in/set-72157602135907546/]Crowd”>Crowd | Mifflin Street Block Party 2009 | John Benson | Flickr)</p>
<p>Brooke, you made the right decision. You chose the better academic institution at a better price. The initial settling-in period may be a little tougher, but once you are settled in at UIUC, you will be very happy (and proud) of your decision. You are definitely going to have a great time in college.</p>