I have officially been in college for a month now, and to be quite honest, I hate it here. I love the college that I picked, and I have made some pretty good friends, but I am so depressed all of the time. I don’t even know why. I knew that going to college would be a big adjustment for me, but things just don’t seem to be getting any better for me. I miss my friends from home so much, and I just wish that things could go back to the way that they were in high school. At this point, I am considering dropping out at semester, or at least transferring schools at semester. I don’t know what my problem is, so I don’t know how to fix it. Can you help?
Please make an appointment at the counseling center on campus. You say you are depressed; they can help. I wouldn’t make any decisions like dropping out or transferring until you talk to a counselor.
You like your school and have made friends – transferring will change both of those positive things, and it won’t bring high school back. Dropping out likely won’t bring high school back either, because presumably your HS friends are at their own colleges, too.
I agree with Emsmom1.
First of all breathe.
Adjusting to a new life/new schedule/new environment is hard and it does not happen over night. It can take many, many, many months. 1 month really is not that long. I know it seems like forever, but in the grand scheme…it is not. The fact that you say you have made some new friends is a really positive sign. The fact that you like your new school, also a positive. Don’t get sucked into the things you might see on social media, where is looks like everyone else, including your old HS friends, are having a grand time, while you feel like you are floundering. It is not reality. You can’t go back to high school and I promise that eventually, maybe not tomorrow or next week, but eventually, your new life at university is going to feel normal. In fact, when you come home next summer, most likely, you are really just going to want to be back at school.
So now, if you are feeling depressed, take the time to stop by your school mental health/counseling center. They have all sorts of resources to help you cope and adjust. You are not alone, believe it or not just about every other freshman at your school is feeling exactly the same way, only no one wants to admit it. Ask for some help, really there is no reason to suffer in silence.
Stay or get involved in new activities. Keep to a schedule. Get some exercise. If you are still feeling this way at the semester, talk with your parents and advisor about what they feel is your next best step, but even the semester is too early to make a real determination on transferring. Lots of kids don’t hit their stride at school until well into 2nd semester or even into their sophomore year. There are lots of changes in your life right now, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious about it.