What to do when your college is bad for you?

College Search & Selection
1

I am trying to transfer for fall 2017 semester. Due to the nature of my major it is impossible to transfer mid year. However, the problems at my current college (mostly organizational) are negatively impacting my grades and health in a serious way. I am a very high performing student and want to go to a high level school so grades are very important. Health wise, I am unsure that I can withstand another semester where I am. How would taking a semester off impact my chances of transfer? Studying abroad? Are there other options? Thanks!

2

Without more info I have no idea how anyone can reconcile those two quotes.

3

It also probably has a lot to do with what you spend that semester doing. If you’re going to spend a semester at home, you’re better of getting mediocre grades at school.

However, if you’re taking a break to go work at a hospital in Burkina Faso or intern at Lockheed Martin, then it might be better than another semester of schooling. You’ll have to show why a semester off has impacted you and changed you for the better.

Remember, also that most colleges have a requirement or the number of semesters you have completed. One semester of classes is not enough to transfer to any “high level school”, as you put it.

4

You need to visit the campus mental health center for counselling.

5

Are you a first year student? How can your major be so inflexible at this point? Are there study abroad programs available through your school for the spring semester?

6

Patently false, especially for students struggling with mental illness (which OP may or may not be, I don’t know).

7

OK, so maybe your major has courses in sequence so you can’t easily pick up if you transfer mid year, but if that is true, then it’s likely that a whole bunch of them won’t transfer anyway.

You are miserable. Take a leave of absence now if you can (if it is medical, then yes you should be able to do that), or at the end of the semester. Go home. Get your health together, and apply to places that are better matches for your budget and your personal goals for fall 2017.