I am a current student at Indiana University Bloomington. I am thinking of transferring to IUPUI because of their Forensic Sciences program which I feel I have more interest in than premedical sciences. In their Forensic Sciences program, they pretty much have premed courses as well so if I realize that I still like medicine better, it’s not a big deal.
The struggle I am having is whether I am thinking of transferring because I dislike IU, not because I like forensic science. I have talked to people around me about this. But I am unsure of why I dislike IU. I just feel generally unhappy here. Meaning, I am not sad but I am not happy either. I have taken classes and I am doing well in them. But outside the classroom, it’s horrible. I have tried to find friends and finding cool clubs to join but so far, I haven’t found many.
Do you think I have good reasoning to transfer? I am waiting this year out and if I still feel like this after a semester, I will transfer for sure.
That’s true. I feel a lot more pressure doing well academically here at IU than I would at IUPUI. I would be able to be a lot more relaxed taking the same classes I am taking at IUPUI than at IU. So, I mean that’s primarily why I want to transfer. I would be automatically accepted. But, I would have a more stable peace of mind.
Are you a freshman? If so, you are only about a month into your first year. We see so many students out here with unrealistic expectations about their social lives and college activities. It takes time! One month isn’t enough to judge. And it isn’t going to be all sunshine and butterflies and choirs singing compared tonHigh school. Wait until you are back after winter break to think more deeply about transferring. Push that thought away for now, and try to get the most out of this year.
If you are a sophomore, then you have given it a solid try, and it may make sense to seriously consider it.
@dyiu13 Is that an article? @intparent Yes, I am a freshman. I know it will not be all sunshine and butterflies but something about the campus just feels off for me…and I am not sure why. I have a lot of anxiety and stress because I view IU as being really rigorous and difficult even when I put in the work. As for the keeping the transfer thoughts out of my mind, it is pretty much the only thing that keeps me going - the hope that I will be able to transfer and so I won’t be stuck here. But my family, especially my dad, wants me to get a degree from here and will cut me off if I won’t.
There are multiple threads going out here now from sophomores who transferred, and are now unhappy at their new schools. “Feels off” is not a reason to transfer. You will go through many transitions in your life. It always takes time to get comfortable in a new environment. Get busy and stop contemplating your vague discomfort.
@intparent I have been getting busy, especially with my schoolwork. I have not found any clubs that truly interest me as of yet but I found clubs that I would honestly join at the transfer college. I also have found opportunities at the second college that I want to do but that are not offered here. I understand that I will go through many transitions in my life and they all will be difficult during the transition period. But, I am not well-balanced here despite my efforts in stopping to contemplate my discomfort and malaise here. @dyiu13 I started reading it and found myself understanding why IU doesn’t fit me as well as I thought it would. It supported my gut feelings of getting out even more. The thing is, I hope my family understands.
The grass is always greener. You picked it, and have given no really good reason to transfer. You are contemplating your navel and your own unhappiness. Transfer apps aren’t even due for six months for fall semester next year. Completely put the whole idea aside until after winter break. Most students who do end up finding their niche and staying. It is harder to make friends as a transfer student, not easier.
Unhappy - My emotions constantly revolve between “Ok, I can do this” and “Oh my god, I can’t do this.” I feel a lot of pressure and worry about grades. It’s not that I was a straight A student in high school so I’m not one of those incoming freshmen who expect high grades without work and effort. But, I feel a lot of pressure to do well here and that is eclipsing my original intent: to learn for the sake of learning.
Not enjoying anything here - It is tough for me to find people to talk to and find clubs to join to keep my mind busy and off of these sort of things. The surrounding city of my college is dull as well - it is a party school. My personal choice is to not drink and involve myself in those situations.
Better environment feeling at the prospective college - it is urban and has better transportation to areas (I can walk anywhere). It also has volunteer opportunities at hospitals - which is what I want to do.
Closer to home - I am about 2 hours away from home but it is more convenient to plan when I’m coming home if I am closer to home.
Automatically accepted to transfer college - also possibility of getting scholarship that would pay for all costs plus grant me research opportunity -> if I get this, I will transfer. Research ops here are highly taxing and sought after.
I want smaller classes - I know that early classes will have bigger lectures but at the transfer college, class sizes are lower. There are, overall, a lot less people on campus anyways because it is a commuter campus. Perhaps it will make it harder for me to find people to talk to but I have friends attending college there so I already have a support group of sorts.
Feel isolated - I try to call/text home whenever I can but it seems like family does not want to keep in touch with me. I live in a single as well - no roommate - and floor mates are all antisocial.
Better support system for my majors - more connected campus feeling/ better clubs that I am actually interested in at the transfer campus
Finances - lot cheaper at transfer university even with scholarships I have right now. Plus, I found a scholarship that would pay for college plus get me research opportunity as well as living with other science students.
If I still feel the same way after winter break, can I transfer? I guess that’s what I am getting at. I will actively try to find people and find my niche. I have friends at the college I want to transfer to and we still stay in touch.
Sure. But really… stop posting about it now and making lists of what is making you so unhappy. None of those are really deal breakers – don’t spend any more time building your lust.
@intparent They are deal breakers for me, though. That’s what I want from my education. There’s no use in paying for college if I don’t have those things when I look for them. That’s the only list I have made and it makes me feel as if I am a bit more directional, intentional, and mature in understanding what I want from college. This is not premature feelings. I have seen what IU can offer me - and it is not what I am interested in. But I do agree with you.