I am in my second semester of freshman year and I am really miserable at the school I’m at. My first semester was ok, I made a few friends, joined a lot of clubs, but felt I hadn’t really find my niche. I didn’t mind though since I thought spring semester would be better. Well spring semester is almost over and I’m still in the same boat. I tried rushing a sorority in the hopes of getting a solid group of friends but it didn’t work out. I made a lot of acquaintances through clubs and classes but I wouldn’t consider them friends. Everyone here already has their group of friends and I feel miserable and that I just don’t fit in. I realize that I am not the most outgoing person and maybe it’s my fault I’m alone but it’s really depressing. My roommate and I don’t get along either. On top of all this, the weather is extremely gloomy here and I’m scared that I’m suffering from seasonal effectiveness disorder. I go to a state school and most people are from the same part of the state and I’m not and I feel like an outcast. I honestly cannot bear the thought of coming back in the fall but I’ve already missed the transfer deadlines. I was thinking of doing a semester at my community college but then I realized that’s pointless and I might as well just come back to school then. Then I thought of taking a semester off (I have a job at home) but I know my parents will never agree with that. I was thinking maybe I could volunteer abroad or do something meaningful if I take a semester off. Has anyone done this? Are there opportunities for people who take a semester off whether in America or abroad? I don’t want to make it seem like I’m running away from my problems but I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want to tell my parents unless I have a solid plan of what I’m going to do. (My GPA first semester was a 3.65 but I had to withdraw from a class.)
On Monday, go to the counseling center on campus, and get some help sorting things out. If you have a seasonal depression, they will have good suggestions for you. Even if you don’t have that, they will be able to help you think through all of your options. In particular, talk with them about why you are convinced that your parents would “never agree” with a semester off. Every parent I personally know would be fine with their kid taking time off if that is what the kid really needs.
My parents are first generation immigrants so education is very important to them. I have talked to them about transferring and they were totally fine with that but as for taking a semester off I don’t think they will be as understanding and they will think I’m wasting my time. That’s why I want to have a solid plan of what I will do with my semester off before I talk to them about it
Go to the counselling center and seek help both about taking a leave of absence and about talking to your parents about it.
You can take a semester off to decide whether that university was the right one for you, rather than waste time transferring to the wrong university. 
It sounds like either you’re at a university that’s a poor fit, or perhaps at a large, impersonal university. Is it a university you chose? What were your reasons for choosing it last year?
I mostly chose it because it was cheap and not too far from home. I didn’t have a first choice college or anything like that and I didn’t get into any super prestigious schools so it just seemed like a no brainer. I thought I was going to learn to really like it here but I just don’t
oh, so you didn’t really “choose” it the way Americans choose their colleges. More like Europeans, who go to the college nearby because the main difference is in academic level.
American colleges have “personalities”, and this one doesn’t mesh with yours, nor does it teach you anything.
Are there colleges nearby? There’s still time - till April 15th, often - to apply for a transfer. People here can help you here you say what State you’re in.
I am thinking of transferring but I probably won’t apply till next semester and transfer for spring 2016. I just really raelly really don’t want to come back to school and idk what to do for next semester
be careful. I don’t have the data available right now, but once you stop going to college, your odds of graduation go down considerably. Better to transfer, even it it were to a community college than to take time off completely.
Dw, I am definitely going to graduate from college and I want to do something meaningful with my semester off but idk what.
Can you volunteer somewhere?
I’m looking for places to volunteer but I have no idea where to look