<p>I feel your pain. My son wanted to transfer after one week. He realizes he needs to finish the year, but he is determined to transfer next year. It’s a fabulous school and he loves his classes and professors, but not the town or students. The school prides itself on matching roommates (Myers-Briggs and housing questionnaire), but he found something VERY disturbing on the internet about his roommate (who was posing with a scary looking knife) and asked to switch. When they hurriedly gave him a new roommate, it wasn’t a great match. My son, who is very artistic and not the least bit interested in sports is now in an athletes’ dorm. He doesn’t want to ask to be switched again because he fears being labeled a troublemaker. The school is in a very rural location and he misses the city. His girlfriend is attending the same college and I think they just each feed the negativity. We dropped him off on Aug. 22 and he came home last weekend. I was hoping he’d stay at school this weekend, but he stayed at a lake house with his girlfriend’s family. He said he will not spend a weekend at the college. I stressed he needs to immerse himself and get involved, but he will not listen. I’m afraid his girlfriend has his ear much more than I do.</p>
<p>There is not rule that a student needs to be good buddies with the roommate (things often work out better if not). But I agree it would be tough to be in an athlete dorm if that was not your thing. Teens are don’t often listen to parental advise, but 51 if you can catch his ear again do encourage him to join groups on campus with like interests. There was something that drew him to that college, and it would be great if he could make it work.</p>
<p>Thanks Colorado. I have tried to talk to him about becoming involved. He did join a few groups, but I think they meet on weekends when he is not on campus. I even tried the old, “If you DO decide to transfer, prospective colleges will be more likely to accept you if you’re involved.” I just wish he’d give it a chance.</p>
<p>Hugs to you, 51hatfield. He’s had a couple of bad breaks in a row with the roommate situation. Stay strong, and if at all possible, don’t let him come home for weekends. Could he apply for a roommate transfer at the end of the semester?</p>
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<p>Lots of freshmen are in this situation and feel the same way she does. It just takes time.</p>
<p>Of course, you know that, but for some reason, homesick freshmen think that every other freshman is blissfully happy after two weeks. My D was utterly convinced that she was the only soul on campus who was unhappy, and that furthermore, every one could see the giant L For Loser plastered on her forehead.</p>
<p>Keep telling your D her that this is normal, that it takes time, that her tribe is out there and she just needs to keep meeting people to find it. Most of all, keep telling her that you have confidence in her ability to figure this out. She may swat away your encouragement, but she’ll take it in.</p>
<p>Thanks LasMa. He doesn’t really dislike his roommate, although he has nothing in common with him, and he doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. He worries his roommate would feel rejected.</p>
<p>Hate to admit it, but I’m not adjusting to college as well as I’d like. I’ve thought about transferring FREQUENTLY.</p>
<p>I love meeting new people, but I fell a bit overwhelmed about how many people there are here. Alright, there are only 6000 or so, but it’s just so easy to lose track of people.</p>
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<p>Totally have been feeling this way a lot of the time. It doesn’t help that if you tell people back home that college isn’t the absolutely most wonderful time of your life, they’ll bring up questions.</p>
<p>^^ Hang in there. It’s a big change, and it is overwhelming – the way you feel is completely normal. Yes, most freshmen feel that way at first. I guarantee you there are multitudes of them walking around campus this very minute, hoping no one notices how out-of-place THEY feel. And no, you don’t have L For Loser plastered on your forehead, I promise. 
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<p>Have you gotten involved in any activities? That will accelerate the feeling of belonging.</p>
<p>How are the freshmen doing now?</p>