Transfer, or try for another semester?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading.</p>

<p>I'm finishing up my first year at a top 20 LAC. I really, really want to like it here, but I'm struggling a lot in many ways. I dunno if I should apply to transfer to a school closer to home or stick it out one more semester and try to make it work.</p>

<p>I really like my school's institutional identity, and the people here are generally really nice and open-minded. I just can't seem to make any real friends. I'm involved in band and choir, and I have some acquaintances there, but I don't have anyone I can hang out with or that I feel comfortable hanging out with. I don't really fit into the social scene here, as I'm sub-free and don't like parties/large groups, and it seems like everyone's favorite weekend past-time is to party, drink, and smoke. If I come back next semester, I'm planning on living in sub-free housing, so hopefully that will help, but I don't know... There's no pressure from others to engage in any of the activities mentioned, which is great. I just feel like there is so little to do on campus, and there's barely anything to do in town. I end up sitting by myself in my room on the weekends. Netflix has pretty much become my best friend. I like being alone, but I don't like being lonely, which is very much the case right now.</p>

<p>I'm struggling with academics, too. I'm having a really hard time participating in class, which is killing my grades; I can't seem to be comfortable in class. I don't really feel all that motivated for some reason, either. I think that's at least partially because I haven't quite found my footing here yet. I just don't really have anything to hold onto here. </p>

<p>I really want to like it here. If I transfer, there's no way I'll be able to get into a school that's like my current school academically since my grades are kind of sub-par (nothing failed.... just not good). I'm not sure how to make it better here. This school is seriously expensive, and I've already racked up a ton of debt just from my first year. If I'm not happy here, is it worth it just for the academics (provided I get my act together, that is)? At this point, I'm more excited about returning to my retail job back at home than I am about coming back next semester. . . . </p>

<p>Do I keep trying, or do I move on?</p>

<p>Thanks,
FrayedPages</p>

2

<p>Oops, posted in the wrong forum… any chance this could be moved to college life, please?</p>

3

<p>So sorry to hear you’re having a hard time. Are there any extracurricular activities you can sign up for? Maybe you can make some new friends that way. I don’t think you are the only one who is in this position. It takes time to make friends and acclimate. I would hang in there another semester.</p>

4

<p>Like I said, I’m in band and choir. I’ve looked at some of the other activities on campus, but I haven’t really found anything that really interests me. I know I’m not the only one in this position - I just can’t seem to find those people. Most people I know have pretty solid friend groups, first years included. If I stay for another semester, I’ve only got about 2 months to make it better (Nov 15 app date for home state college). What if it’s not better by then? How many chances do I give it?</p>

5

<p>So sorry to hear you’re having a hard time. Are there any extracurricular activities you can seek out where you might make new friends?</p>

6

<p>Sorry about the repost error. I would give it your best try for the next two month.</p>