<p>Hey, I think it's a little too late for me to transfer back to my old school (their deadline was March 1) but I was just wondering if anyone else felt the same way I did. You know, just for support.</p>
<p>I transferred to my current school because it had a much more well-known IR program, and I was concerned that my old school wasn't well-known enough. Even though I'm glad I transferred academically speaking, as the classes here are great and I've learned a lot, and I feel a lot better about my career prospects, in almost every other way I miss my old school.</p>
<p>It's much harder to meet people as a transfer - I have maybe 1/4th the amount of friends I had at my old school, and I'll spend days at a time without even speaking to anyone, except for my roommate. I join a lot of clubs, but this new school is much larger and I don't see that many people outside of clubs and don't run into people I know randomly like I did at my old school. I know 2 people on my floor, compared with being friends with everyone on my floor last year. I have some friends here but I don't see them that often, maybe once or twice a week. I gave up a lot to come here - I was slated to write on the paper and live on an environmental themed floor, and I feel like if the gamble WILL pay off (career wise) I haven't seen any of the effects.</p>
<p>If I thought I was lonely sometimes LAST year (coming from high school, which I loved), I didn't realize how good I had it. In terms of environment, my old school was verdant and quiet and cozy, my new campus is loud and noisy and in the middle of the city (a mixed bag). </p>
<p>I'm going to hang in there and try to join a frat next semester (despite the fact that I'll be a junior) and get on the officer board of a club or two. </p>
<p>But in the meantime, does anyone find their thoughts drifting back to their old friends or their old campus, and all they left behind?</p>
<p>Mi_Lie,
It is very common for students to feel this way because transferring is as difficult as the change you made going to your first school. Except this time, everyone is not involved.
How long have you been at your new school? Sometimes it is hard to make the adjustment. I knew students who hated their school their first year and then fell in love with it afterwards. Joining clubs is a good idea, but if you are in a city - is it a college town like Boston? Can you find people outside of your school to hang out with?
Try to find other transfers at your school - there are often groups for it on facebook. These people can introduce you to people on their floor and so on and so forth.
Good luck and sorry you aren’t as happy as you expected. It just goes to show, no one can ever really know until they are there.</p>
<p>I can relate to you. Last year, I transferred as a second semester freshmen to a new university that was closer to home, in a warmer climate. I’ve lived in South Florida for the past seventeen years of my life, and decided it was time for a transition. I was sick and disgusted of everything that South Florida had to offer. My first three-choices for college were UCLA, University of Virginia, and the University of Maryland. I got denied from UCLA, wait-listed at UVA, and accepted to UMD. I chose UMD. I loved UMD despite a few altercations that I probably should of dealt with. </p>
<p>As a transfer to the University of Miami, I felt unwanted and alone. At Maryland, not to sound conceited and cocky, but I was popular in the sense that I could walk around campus and would see people I knew, my friends and acquaintances. Maryland was a constant festival for me, Miami for the 1st and still continues to be on and off. Socially, I was much more content at Maryland. I had numerous friends, from all walks of life, religions, and backgrounds. At Miami, I find it is much harder to meet quality people. I realize it is the public-private debate. Last year and into portions of sophomore year, I felt alone and did not have the moral support that I had at Maryland. It caused me many days of frustration, anger, and even depression. I regretted leaving Maryland and unfortunately still do from time to time. I realized in college, you cannot get the whole package, but you must weigh the most important factors and think as an economist, and chose the basket that has more benefits than disadvantages. I’m indifferent to continuing at Miami and have applied to other colleges, but I’m going to really have to weigh these options that I talk of, before I make a decision, so I do not have anymore regrets. Sometimes what it comes down to, is you need to sacrifice top notch academics for a better social lifestyle, and you can still get a quality education just not with the prestige.</p>
<p>It’s has been pretty tough for me to adjust socially to my new school but I don’t regret it at all. I experienced pretty much the exact same stuff you guys are talking about, it takes a LOT more effort to develop a social circle as a Junior transfer unless you are just the type of person that is naturally a social butterfly. I have several good friends though here but it’s still not like what I had at my old school. I still go out often to try to meet new people, like I said it just takes a lot of effort.</p>
<p>womanofmanyhats - I’ve been at my school for one very long year so far. Maybe things will pick up next year, but thanks for the support.</p>
<p>MakeBank - I attended Trinity University in San Antonio last year, and now I’m at George Washington in DC.</p>
<p>Bruins - Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I wish I had realized over all happiness is more important than prestige sooner. I’m not sure if I should still try to transfer back - maybe they’d still take me even if the deadline has passed, because I previously attended and had already gotten in once before? Or if I should just make the best of my current situation.</p>
<p>Not sure what University it was you were at, but Maryland told me to contact them if I was interested in ever returning and they’d make it happen.</p>
<p>im a social butterfly, but i’ve become less confident since i came to miami when i failed meeting people, and it was still a constant struggle to adjust socially.</p>
<p>If you had the grades to transfer I’m assuming you were a top student, and I’m sure your old school would be more than happy to have a top student back. Like others have suggested, why don’t you give them a call?</p>
<p>Mi_Lie, could you please explain what you mean by happiness being more important than prestige? Or rather, how would you know if you’re “happy” at one place unless you later discover that you are unhappy at a different place?</p>
It just goes to show, no one can ever really know until they are there.</p>