<p>First off I want to say that I am not taking this decision lightly. I want to make an informed decision that is best for me.
I'm currently in my second semester at a University. I came in undecided but now I know that I would like to major in nursing with hopes of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I have been struggling quite a bit here, mostly with feeling like home and like I belong. This school I'm at was my reach school, one that I thought I would love. I'm not exactly sure if its because this school doesn't fit the type of person I am or that I just feel that a closer, tight knit school would be better. I know that a local community college offers Registered Nursing courses. My plan, if I were to transfer closer to home, would be to complete those courses, go to a local university to get my Bachelor's in Nursing and then apply for Nurse Practitioner programs. While doing this I could work and volunteer in the hospital like I did during High School. I absolutely loved doing that and it would fulfill some of the requirements for the nursing program. The only thing is is that I would be back at home. Going from being in a college dorm to back at home would put a damper on my feeling of being an adult. But I also know that living on my own would be very difficult, to fund.
All I know is that I am really struggling. I don't mind the classes, its the anxiety I get from doing my day to day activities. The anxiety got so bad the other morning that I had to miss a couple of classes because I had a panic attack. I worry about my mental health here. I don't want to make myself stay in a place that I'm miserable in but I also don't want to give up. I think sometimes that if I stay another year (I'll be in a different dorm, won't have roommate troubles, I'll live in a single) things will get better. If they don't, I don't want to be miserable and put myself through even more pain.
I think overall I just need someone to help me weigh my options. I know that whatever I do I will put my whole self into and I know that I will be successful. The main thing is just to be happy.
My friend happened to make a point to me. She asked what I would do if I transferred. I told her my plan. Then she asked what I would do if I stayed. I didn't know how to reply. She pointed out that I have a plan if I transferred rather than stay here, and that means something.</p>
<p>DON’T do it, seriously. If you’re at a school that’s in the USNWR top 10, you should have plenty of helpful resources at your disposal. You’re not the first student to have these problems so talk to student life to see what others have done. You could meet once a week with a campus psychiatrist or spend more time with your friends to alleviate your anxiety. Also keep in mind that you don’t have to earn a high GPA to have excellent career opportunities in life. The fact that attend such a prestigious already makes you more qualified that most people. </p>
<p>In addition, its perfectly normal to miss your home when your in college. I would advise to join some clubs and make new friends. Having a lot of friends makes it much, much easier to adapt to any new environment</p>
<p>Lastly, I hate to say this, but you shouldn’t believe the adage “you’ll be successful wherever you go to college.” CC posters often say this, but its really not true, especially in competitive fields like medicine. A top-10 university will obviously challenge you, but the reward for meeting that challenge is certainly worth it. Your degree will let you obtain the best possible jobs after college. Being able to attend a top-10 college is an extremely precious gift; don’t give it up so easily.</p>