Hi, I am currently a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, and have not had a very good first year. I believe I’ve done everything (but rush) in order to try to feel integrated in the community by joining clubs, sports, service orgs, etc. and have made a few good friends, but still wake up most days feeling unhappy. I am from New Jersey and as hard as I’ve tried to shake off the home sickness, I am very close with my family and the distance really kills me. I was originally choosing between UT and Temple Univwrsity in Philadelphia, both to major in graphic design. I quickly found that the program at Texas was not at all for me, and did not live up to my potential, and have recently decided to switch my major to advertising, which Texas has a great program for. However, although I am enjoying advertising courses more, I still really struggle to picture myself here for four years and even though I might rush next year to see if this helps, the big Greek life and football culture really never seemed like it was for me. Now, I have applied to possibly transfer closer to home at Temple, where I visited in high school and loved it. I would apply for graphic design rather than advertising because they have a well ranked program at their art school. I would also be able to room with a good friend from high school. However, I am afraid of leaving such a good advertising program that I have so far enjoyed at a high ranked school for a less prestigious school that is good for my original major. I’ve always known that I don’t want to go to an all art school like Pratt or RISD because I want a full college experience, which is why Temple seemed like a good balance. I’m really struggling with this decision, as I know that if a school exactly like Texas was just located closer to home and felt more familiar, I would most likely feel fine about it. Please help!
Temple is a great school. Misery at UT is not a better option.
Prestige is nothing, happiness is everything.
That’s the problem with moving over 4-5 hours away, you can’t go home on the weekends or even long weekends. Move 1000+ miles away and you’re stuck, which is bad if you don’t want to be stuck!! I live on the opposite coast but spent two weeks once in Tulsa and another two weeks in Houston, attending training. I was homesick from the first moments and couldn’t wait to get back home, be it ever so humble. You won’t learn anything if you’re never happy. Be happy. Good luck.