You can think back to senior year of high school as all the acceptance letters rolled in. You recall how excited you were when applying to your dream school, and the sheer joy that came from reading a "congratulations" at the top of the letter you received. You were absolutely set that this school was your dream school. Now that you had been accepted and you had scholarship money, nothing was going to keep you from going there. This was your destiny and you were sure of it.
The first few weeks after move-in were also nothing to complain about. You enjoyed meeting all these new people and making new friends. You enjoyed hanging out with your roommate constantly and finding invites to parties around campus. You loved the atmosphere of college and all the new opportunities. You loved that you were chasing your dreams finally and out of that hometown.
However, the shiny newness of college wore off quickly once classes started. Your professors had no idea who you were, they didn't care, and they were fine if you failed out. In fact, it almost seemed like they made it their personal goal to make your life miserable. Drama began unfolding on floors. Now there was almost too much to do all the time that it was overwhelming. You felt anxious constantly, unhappy, and you realized what seemed so pretty from afar was actually ugly up close.
You're worried you'll disappoint your parents if you tell them you're unhappy. You aren't even sure what you're supposed to do now since you were so sure that this school was your fit. You almost feel bad that it isn't when you see all your friends around you having the time of their lives and loving every second of it. Why did this not work out? You did everything right. You tried your hardest. You made friends everywhere and networked until you thought you would pass out. You're doing nothing different than anyone else, but why aren't you happy and they are?
Transferring comes up as an option, but you shy away from it for several reasons. One is that you are absolutely dedicated to making this work. You are sure that If you keep trying things will look up. You are willing to drive this into the ground, taking yourself along with it. The second is the voice whispering worries into your head. You were so sure that this was your fit and there is no guarantee that the new school could be any better. In fact, it could be worse and you might wish you had just stayed where you were. What if there aren't as many opportunities? What if it's a mistake? What if credits don't transfer? Maybe if you just stay you'll be rewarded for your perseverance.
If you are considering transferring schools because you are unhappy where you are, here is your sign to do it.
No one should stay in a situation that they're unhappy in just in the naïve hope that it might get better. It very well could, but think about the alternative. Maybe it won't get better, and you'll just spend four years of your life miserable at a school you don't even like. Maybe you'll have to retake a few classes, but in the end it'll be worth your ultimate happiness. If you get to your new school and find you don't like it, get this – you aren't stuck there. Just like you may have thought you were stuck in your previous institution, you aren't stuck in this one. You are always able to change your circumstances.
Also, take a minute to think about this. You may get there and not like it.
But you could also get there and love it.
You might get there and be happier than you thought possible. You could meet new people and form new memories. You could feel less stressed out and start new. It could be everything you ever wanted. Isn't that worth it? I thought so and I found that I truly did love it better.
Sometimes jumping through the hoops to get everything transferred might be annoying, but it will definitely be worth it in the end. Think about your ultimate happiness. In the end, it could be worth the jump a million times over and you'll thank yourself. Stop worrying and being fearful of something that isn't anything but a what if in your head. Choose your happiness.
Make the change.