Should I transfer from my university to a community college?

<p>I am a freshman and my first semester in college was awful. I did not like living in the dorms, not having any privacy and being away from home. I also had a very difficult time making friends. I have some acquaintances, but there is not a single person from my university that I missed during this month of winter break. I am going to have a new room with new roommates this semester, but I feel like I will be completely starting over because I do not know anyone on that floor. I do not really have anyone at all to do things with if I return.
I have been dreading going back to college all of break. I hate it. I am incredibly unhappy being there and I do not know if I can mentally handle a whole second semester. I barely made it through the first one and I do not know if a room change will make my experience any different.
I also really do not know what I want to do for a career anymore. I feel like I am wasting my parent's money taking classes that I might not even need (as well as wasting the thousands of dollars it costs to live in my dorm that I absolutely hate).
I really want to stay home and transfer to my local community college. That seems like giving up to me (and taking a step backwards), but I do not think I can make it through the next four months. My grades are fine, but I cannot stand how unhappy I am there. I do not think I would be much happier staying at home because it would be hard to make new friends, but at least I would be saving money and figuring things out.</p>

<p>I really have no idea what is the best decision to make. As far as school goes– staying at my university would be the best decision… but as I said, I don't know if I can handle four months of misery if things do not get better.</p>

<p>If you don’t like college, you aren’t the only one. There are many who go thru a long time of adjustment before they actually settle down. Some however never do.
To answer you question, yes you can transfer from your university to a CC but then CC is a smaller college, and you may not fit in there either.
Have you a given a thought to enrolling in an accredited online university? You’ll have privacy since you’ll be studying from home and won’t have to mingle with people who you don’t like. I once saw this website on online universities and courses and leaving you with the link: [Online</a> Education Programs, Online Schools Degrees - Online Classes](<a href=“http://www.ocregister.com/education/]Online”>Education – Orange County Register)
Hope it helped.</p>

<p>Out of financial considerations, not dislike for the school, I left my university after my first semester and went to community college, returning after a couple semesters there. You don’t have to transfer (I don’t think the concept exists for open enrollment schools like community colleges), just don’t enroll for classes at the university and enroll for classes at the community college. </p>

<p>I think it was a good decision for me and that it would be a good decision for you to leave the university until you figure out better what you want to do.</p>

<p>To answer the thread question: NO. First, make an appointment with an advisor to help you decide what you want to study and where that can take you later. There may be a career counseling center too that can help. As for friendships, you do not need your social life to be at school. All of my friends are OUTSIDE of school, and I’m doing great. Just concentrate on class at school, and do other things to make friends (part time job, volunteer, etc.). Community colleges usually only grant Associates degrees that I know of, plus I agree with you that it would be a defeat and a step down. You can succeed at college if you set your mind to it, focus on academics, and utilize on campus resources to help you. Perhaps a visit to counseling on campus would also help. Good luck; don’t give up!</p>

<p>There is nothing wrong with returning (or staying) home and going to CC, especially if you take gen ed classes. This will save money and you will still make progress toward a degree. It really is not a step backwards, and actually shows maturity by not wanting to spend money if you’re not sure about what you want to do.
A lot of universities will accept CC credits, especially if you stay in your state.
Good luck making your decision!</p>