<p>Hi everyone,
So I am a freshman student at University of Iowa, and I really don't like it here. I call home crying everyday and I don't want to be here anymore. My plan is to transfer, because not only do I not like it, but my family is moving somewhere down south. We don't know where yet, but were hoping to be there by next fall. So I don't know if i should stick out the whole year at Iowa and then transfer, or go home and take the semester off then transfer in the fall. My only concern is if my family doesn't know where we will be moving by next fall I don't know where i'll go to school. I can't imagine myself being at Iowa anymore, but I don't want to fall behind if I go home. Any good advice? </p>
<p>Why are you so unhappy? </p>
<p>My advice is to stick it out. It is unsettling to have your family move, but finish up the year and try to get decent grades, because that will help you a lot if you still want to transfer at the end of the year. It sounds like you are really homesick… is being near your family the most important thing to you if you transfer? Or are you just waiting to see about where you might get in-state tuition? You will have to check the rules on that, not sure if another state will grant you in-state tuition right away if your parents move there. My advice – stay the course for now. Once your parents are settled, decide if you still want to look into transferring and explore schools near where they are. Make sure you understand the tuition costs (in- vs out-of-state) before bailing out on Iowa altogether. You might end up spending an extra semester or two at Iowa, but then you can probably stay on track for graduating in 4 years, too.</p>
<p>I am really homesick, and I want to transfer somewhere closer to home, which is why I would be transferring when they move. But as for being unhappy I just don’t like the environment and the partying, and I know thats how it is at every school, but I haven’t found my click of people that are okay with staying in. So I end up still alone while my “friends” go out and I would just rather be at home. </p>
<p>Those people are there… you just have to find them. Would it be possible for you to change housing at winter break? Are there sub-free dorms, special interest housing (language houses, etc.), or co-ops on campus? Have you been checking out clubs and activities on campus? You might look into something like theater or student newspaper – those are activities that take a fair amount of time, and it is a good way to get to know people well in a non-party environment. Do you have a campus job, or have you looked into volunteer groups on campus? Again… a way to get to know more people than the partying freshman that live on your hall.</p>
<p>“Home” won’t be “home” when your parents move. Of course they will be there, but the places and high school friends you are used to won’t be around. And you said yourself you don’t want to get behind. I’d say try some new tactics to meet more people, and give Iowa to the end of the year before deciding. </p>
<p>I’m in a sorority, so i’ve been getting involved and volunteering, any other suggestions on how to help the home sickness? Everyone says it gets better but I’m almost 4 months in and I can’t shake the feeling. I want to push through the year but I know Iowa is not the right university for me. </p>
<p>So… a sorority may not be the best place to meet people who don’t want to party. Just saying… and it can really consume your time and keep you from branching out to other groups in the university. Nothing wrong with it for people who find what they are looking for there. But sounds like you aren’t finding it… maybe you need to look around some more, and consider whether you want to stay with the sorority or not.</p>