Transfer Time?

Looking back, you checked all the boxes. You went to an open house of your current college. You traveled to Admitted Student Day. You researched your major, the extracurriculars, the area, the campus. And, yet, here you are two months into the first semester, and things are not clicking. Do you stick it out or transfer? The answer isn’t always simple, but taking the time to reflect on a few of these common reasons students transfer can help you decide what is best for you.

The Social Scene

Perhaps, you wanted a best friend in your roommate, but the two of you are complete opposites. Differences are fine, but if your roommate is insensitive to your needs (e.g. blasts music until one in the morning when you have an exam the next day), that can definitely affect your mental health. Take a step back from this situation, and assess the rest. Have you met other people that are more your speed? If so, then this problem is fixable. If the roommate is just the tip of the iceberg, and you’re realizing you were wrong about the type of student the school attracts, you may want to pursue a place that has what your current school may be lacking.

The Major

An academic mismatch is the most difficult (if not impossible) to fix. If you went to your current university because of the major, and it is not structured the way you imagined, that requires additional contemplation. Figure out what you want from the academic program. Perhaps, your idea of what the major should be is not realistic. Or, maybe, it’s realistic in another institution. Speak to your academic advisor to determine if retooling is possible.

Another common dilemma is the desire to switch majors altogether. Sometimes this is doable; other times it isn’t. Some schools only specialize in the one field (for example, an art school). In those cases, a different college is the only option. Still, take the time to assess what you do enjoy about your current school so when you look at new options, you will have a list of must-haves.

Location

Perhaps, you have lived in a city or rural area your whole life and wanted a change of pace. Maybe you thought you wanted more distance from your family in order to feel like you were truly on your own. However, now you realize you miss the landscape of your hometown and everyone in it. There is nothing wrong with this. If you feel you will be more comfortable in another setting, you learned something about yourself. You can grow and change in familiar surroundings as well.

The Vibe

Sometimes, you can’t put a finger on what’s not clicking. You just know it isn’t. If you made a list of pros and cons and you are still no closer to finding the answer, this could also be a sign of something deeper. If you find you are sad for days on end, seek the help of the school’s counseling services. They could also help you determine what is not working in your current setting and assist you in seeing a clearer answer about whether you would mesh better elsewhere.

Final Verdict

In the end, you should be proud of yourself for listening to your gut and trying to assess what’s amiss. You are not the same person you were when you applied to colleges. Things change and that’s okay. Give yourself props for trying something new and realizing there could be a better path out there.