Hey guys so I’m in a little of a predicament. I transferred to SUNY Binghamton a year and a half ago and I hate it. When i was transferring out of my community college I applied to Binghamton, Oneonta, and New Paltz. I got into all three and I decided to go to Binghamton only because it was deemed higher than all other SUNY schools. Now Im in my third semester here and I am miserable. With homesickness at the max and lack of friends here it’s amazing I have not gone crazy. I thought I would have the amazing college experience that everyone talks about but Im not and as a result I’m miserable and I feel like I’m missing out on so much. I am majoring in environmental science- natural resources. The program is okay but its not what I thought it would be. With all of my credits I am currently a Junior 1 standing. New Paltz does not have a environmental studies major only a minor but they do have a Earth Science program for Adolescent Education. I am not sure if I should leave Binghamton and pursue that major and minor in environmental studies or stay at Binghamton and get my degree. Any suggestions would be appreciated 
The first thing i would think about is what do I want my career to be. Will Binghamton help get you there? Because really you are just a year or two away from graduating…and with a degree from a well respected college that I assume employers will recruit from. At New Paltz, unless you want to be an Earth Science teacher, you will not get to your goal.
Transferring is tough in that you have to put more effort into making friends…other people have been together for a couple of years. They will be at Suny New Paltz too.
What did you think the program at Bing would be like? What is missing? Have you talked to your professors about it? Often there are research/internship opportunities that may help round out your education.
What have you done to try to make friends?
Here is some standard advice:
-
Get an on campus job…you can get to know people there.
-
Go to the Activities Fair and sign up for a bunch of clubs that are of interest (or just look them up_ They may not all pan out, but don’t eliminate anything yet. If you are into music/D&D/running/church/whatever, you can find other people who are interested too. Service clubs are great because you spend time working together.
-
Talk to the people on your floor…Get some /pizza/snack sand offer them “Hey I have cookies, anyone want some?” and then strike up a conversation about where they are from, what they are majoring in, etc. People like to talk about themselves…let them. Don’t make it too long…move on to others.
-
At dinner time, ask your roommate/people on your hall if they are going to dining hall. Go with them. See if people in your dorm generally sit in the same area… Join them.
-
Go to any dorm activities your RA has set up. If you are still having issues, talk to your RA. See if they have ideas. If not suggest that they have one. Maybe a movie and pizza?
-
Join your dorm’s intramural (or any intramural) team.
-
Talk to others in your classes…exchange numbers so that if either of you miss you can exchange notes… Ask what someone got on a homework question (that you did too)…once you get to know them, ask if they want to form a study group.
-
If this isn’t working, go to the Counseling Center…they are ready to help. Don’t think you are a loser because you have to go…this is something you pay for! Get the benefit! You may need to learn some new social skills. They may also have group talks on Homesickness or fitting in.
-
Go to ongoing campus activities…concerts/movies/lectures/parties. Invite someone/group of people or just sign up and meet people for activities that might be off campus.
-
See if your dorm/floor has a GroupMe Group set up…otherwise suggest to someone who is extroverted that it might be a good idea. Then people can send a group text that they are showing a movie in the lounge or are baking cupcakes in the kitchen.
You may notice that all of these things take some action…they are not passive. You have to take initiative. But the risk is small…if someone says no, then just say “Maybe another time”.