Hi, I won’t make this terribly long, but for a variety of reasons I am miserable at my current 4 year college. I got through the fall semester, however returning home, where not only do i have my loved ones but also people who’s lives don’t revolve around drinking and football, I realized that I made a terrible terrible decision coming here. Fall semester wasn’t that bad but thats because it was all so new. However I was so happy back in my city that being back is unbearable. I am from Maryland and I am planning on transferring to UMD, Towson, Loyola, or JHU, but my top choice is UMD. This would all be for the fall semester. However, I do not know if I can make it till then. It is the second week of the semester, and I was wondering if it would be possible and okay future wise to withdraw (hopefully before it would mean W’s on my transcript) enroll in a community college in MD this semester, maybe summer, next year, and then transfer to UMD for my junior and senior year. I am planning on going to law school as well if that affects it at all. I know I sound whiney and maybe I am, but I know that I am wasting 40k on a school in the middle of nowhere that makes me feel empty. I really should’ve made a better decision in choosing schools but I will take more time to decide next time.
Bump
I would assume that the Ws will be on your transcript if you do withdraw now in February.
You might want to see what percentage of your tuition can be refunded at this date for the semester and much money you would still owe for housing if you left now.
Since I can’t really see how your classmates’ love of football will be making you miserable this semester (as college football season is long over and the last pro game of the season is this Sunday), I think you should stay put and focus on getting great grades so you can be a competitive transfer applicant either next year or the year after.
Just my opinion, but I would stay put and finish out the semester. To lose any percentage of the tuition is a waste and since there is nothing that you’ve written that indicates a safety / medical concern, just focus on getting good grades knowing the end will be in sight. Wouldn’t cc have already started their spring semesters? Seems you would have many things to tie up and get set to go to cc so it seems you would just be wasting a semester that you could be focusing on your courses where you are at. Spring break will be here before you know it and you’ll get a break. The time will fly by.
Even if you have tuition insurance your parents will be out a fair chunk of money and an abrupt withdrawal mid-term will usually want explaining.
The transition back after the winter holiday is one that hits a lot of first year students hard- the shiny newness has worn off, you’ve been home for a nice stretch in all your old comfortable ways, the new acquaintances are just no match for your tried and true friends back home, it’s February and cold and grey, - and there’s all this work to do.
Get your transfer application in now (UMd deadline is March 1) for next September, focus on getting really, really good grades (b/c your GPA is critical both for now and for grad school), and spend the rest of the time looking for people who are more agreeable to you. I have yet to find a school where there aren’t some people who’s lives do not revolve around partying or sports- even at the top party schools. If you haven’t found them, look harder.
You might just find that by the time the transfer offers come out in the spring you have actually found your place and your people and you don’t want to move, or that you don’t want to move to UMd. If so, you can turn down the offer, but you will have had the choice.
Yeah I decided I am just going to stay. I pitched it to my mom and she did not want to take that loss which is understandable. My main reason to transfer was because this place is miserable and my biggest problem is trying to get the time to pass here and it is not working. I don’t like anyone here among a whole host of things I don’t like here. I’m just going to stay focused on getting out of this place and maybe that’ll make time go faster and motivate me to get through it. Thanks for your advice everyone
Are you a member of any organizations? I find time goes faster when I’m busy. Maybe something somewhat intellectual like a book club might help you have fun with people who care about the same things as you. Or volunteer somewhere.
I think you’ve made a good decision. Try to find something to do to pass the time so you don’t dwell on all that you don’t like about being there. Maybe volunteer in the local community or take up a new hobby. The time will go by if you keep busy.
Yeah that is also what I’m planning on doing. I tried last semester but each club I joined were full of future alcoholics and druggies. That is another reason why I hate where I am, it is a huge party school as in that is really the only thing to do, and I don’t drink.
I go to a party school too, and our book club isn’t full of alcoholics or druggies. Maybe you’re joining the wrong kinds of clubs. 
You need a break from campus which is why I suggested volunteering in the community. I don’t know what you have near your campus and if transportation is an issue so if it is, join a club that has use of the school transportation buses and volunteer at a local hospital, school, etc. If there is a production being planned see if you can help out the stage crew with painting or something. Or, join the book club as @bodangles suggests.
OP, I was in the exact same boat years ago! I grew up in the Baltimore area and went to a completely homogenous party school (where people literally did drugs/drink all day) in a cold, remote area and absolutely hated it. Good for you for toughing it out, though – just think, you only have a couple more months left (plus you have spring break to be home), and you’ll be back soon enough. Spring semester goes by very quickly. College Park is a great school – I always recommend many of the students I work with to consider College Park (and not just Hopkins & Georgetown).