Well, time for the long backstory I guess. I’m in my third year studying Astrophysics at a private university in Florida, on track to graduate after the typical 4 years and after that who knows. But I find myself unhappy where I am. This program is brand new at the school, so the professors aren’t the greatest at teaching these new classes, plus I’m in classes that really shouldn’t be a part of such a program (Electrical Engineering, really?). I also have lost motivation to actually study what I used to enjoy reading about, either because of the faculty make the subject uninteresting, I don’t find the subject interesting anymore in general, or I’ve just gotten lazy. But the real kicker was my girlfriend breaking up with me last semester. I’ve always been highly antisocial but I loved being around her, so now I don’t feel like I really have any friends at this small school. Plus she’s in almost all of my classes and will be next year as well, so it’s not like I’ll just stop thinking about her. On top of this, no extracurriculars at this school interest me. I used to be in band in high school, but the band here is absolutely horrid. All in all, I really want a new start at the University of Florida. Over there, the Astronomy program isn’t brand new, there are more options for classes, way more people to interact with, I’d love to try out for band there, it’d just be something completely different from where I am now. I’m just scared of transferring so late in the game and having to get acquainted with brand new professors, spend an extra year in undergrad potentially, and most likely have to pay more in loans. If anybody could offer some advice I’d greatly appreciate it.
How much in loans do you already have - will you get in-state tuition at U of F?
Yeah I’ll still get in-state tuition at UF, so that’ll be nice. I’m at about $22,500 in loans at the moment, expected to be at $30,000 if I graduate at my current institution. UF is notorious about not giving financial help, so I am afraid of having to take out more especially if I have to stay at UF for longer than a year (which is very likely). But at the same time everyone I’ve talked to has said “money is no object” and that I have to do what makes me happy regardless of more loans.
Many colleges require student to attend for 2 years before they will give them a degree. Check the graduation requirements and the costs of transferring (including any additional time you will need to spend in college) very carefully. When you have to take out loans money IS an object as the repayment of debt will impact your wallet and ultimately your life decisions for years.
And as an aside, if you like to play an instrument I’d join the band as a way to let off steam and meet people. If there are people you might enjoy spending time with, don’t worry about how good or bad the band is.
UF’s residence requirement is only 2 semesters and the last 25% of your credits, so you should be okay on that front.
However, UF will only allow you to transfer 60 credits, so you will almost certainly be spending at least two years there. Whether you spend more time depends on whether you have completed their general education requirements and all of those transfer in from your private U.
My take? You’ve only got three more semesters there. You are going to have to finish this semester regardless, because you won’t be able to transfer to UF until the fall of 2017 at the earliest. So really it’s getting yourself through two more semesters at your current school, vs. adding the expense of a whole extra year at Florida. If you were a sophomore I’d say - why not? But as a second-semester junior, I don’t see the point.
I will say, though, that undergrads often think classes aren’t related to their major when they are. Your faculty members, with their PhDs and credentials, are the ones who are best at assessing whether a class should or shouldn’t be part of a program. There may be a really good reason you are expected to take an electrical engineering course.
Consider also that studying something seriously is very different than reading about it. Perhaps you didn’t lose interest because of the faculty or the coursework, but simply because you find the physics and science behind space and astronomy much less interesting than reading about it more casually.
I’d assess how much it would cost, as was previously mentioned.
@julliet gives great advice. A few sessions at the counseling center might also help you deal with your grief from your break up and strategies for working through your motivation issues.
@floridagator95 would there be an option for you to do a paid co-op or internship next year? Or simply take a year off to work. That would give you an opportunity to earn money and avoid the old girl friend. Then finish up the last two semesters with a little less debt and maybe a new perspective as well. Finding a co-op in your field or something related (Actually, know an astrophysicist who works for a hedge fund) will probably take some effort on your part, but it might be worth it. I’m a finance person, so I can’t advise you to take on more debt. Co-op shouldn’t mess with your financial aid but best to check your with your school. Good luck.
Unless those people are providing the money, money is an object: you are the one who has to pay it back.
On the difference between liking a subject and loving it as an academic subject, my physics kid was originally an astrophysics kid, until she worked out that she was interested in astronomy as a hobby but not so much as an academic pursuit. She has now morphed further, into materials science.
As a 2nd semester junior, taking the attitude that “after that who knows” is a not a good plan, and should be a serious part of your thinking about whether or not to transfer. For a start, if you aren’t loving astrophysics, do you want to do 2 more years of it? would you like straight physics better than astrophysics? if so, could you finish a physics major in 2 more semesters? what you would like to do after college? if you want to go on in an astro/physics field, it will be grad school; if you would like to teach at the elementary or HS level you will need the qualifying courses (there’s a 1-year bolt-on that you can do); and so on.
If you are lost in post-breakup misery, take @NorthernMom61’s advice and get down to the counseling center.
Also talk to your advisor about your options, including adjusting your major.
Also also go down to the career center and talk to them about summer internships, career opportunities with an astrophysics major, etc.
You actually do need to be thinking about these things now- whether or not your transfer- and your transfer decision will be better for it. And, it will give you something positive to focus on as your broken heart heals.