For whatever reason, you didn't go to your dream school. Now, you feel bad and don't know what to do. Do you transfer or "grin and bear it?" Here are some suggestions.

Every year, high school graduation, possibly like you, will head off to college to arguably begin their adult lives. This experience can be amazing, weird, awkward, shocking, worrisome, and just quite a big event in general. For some of us, we get really excited. We got into our “dream” school.

We can’t wait to go study forensics or history, living in an awesome city and getting a degree that we deem has prestige. Some however, don’t have this level of excitement. For these though, there is much that an be done from finding clubs and friends, to focusing academically, and much else. There is no need to accept regret or dissatisfaction.

For many college students, they don’t go to their “dream” school. This can be due to a variety of reasons. Perhaps they weren’t accepted. Maybe they couldn’t afford the school. Perhaps the school was too far away or too close and their parents wouldn’t let them attend. This list goes on and on. What does this mean?

For many, this lack of excitement has drastic effects. Productivity is tied with enthusiasm. Without this enthusiasm for attending a new school, a student’s productivity and success could go way down. In addition, students may not reach out to different clubs and organizations to join and may avoid making good friends.

For some, they immediately decide that as soon as they get their grades up, or as soon as they get enough money, they are going to transfer out. This can be a very dangerous and risky proposition. There is the risk that they may never be able to transfer into that school. On top of that, they could be wasting their time in anticipation of a great time at another school that they forget to maximize their experience at the school they are attending. They end up graduating wondering where “the best four years of your life” had gone. They enter the work force without ever fully enjoying and experiencing college.

If you didn’t get into your “dream school”, don’t fret! It’s fine to try to gather enough money or pick up your grades or whatever else you need to do in anticipation of a possible transfer. However, don’t ignore the opportunities of where you are!

Here are some things you should do.

You need to look at the positives of your situation. Is the school you “have” to attend more affordable allowing you and/or your parents to save money? Is the school you attend close enough to home so you can visit your old friends and family? Is the school far enough away from home that you can fully envelop yourself in another culture? Does the school have awesome opportunities in the way of clubs and organizations? Does your school have great professors or great course offerings? Is the school in a cool place? Sure, it isn’t your dream school, so it won’t have everything you want, but if you give it a close look without immediately writing it off, so to speak, you may find it has more than you thought.

You also need to join some clubs and organizations. Most, if not all schools, will have something you are interested in. Finding a club is as easy as looking it up online, asking around, or attending a club expo. This serves more than allowing for you to do something or explore something you like. It gets you busy. Some clubs only do once a week meetings. Other organizations, such as student government/association could require multiple hours of work a week.

This seems daunting and may prevent you, especially if you are new to college, from trying. Don’t be afraid. Being busy while doing stuff you at least partially enjoy can be a great way to enjoy your college experience and forgot about any bad moods or regrets when it comes to what school you go to. Joining clubs also allows you to find friends. You may get lucky and instantly be friends with your roommate and entire hall. However, you most likely will have to get out there and find friends through clubs or even classes. Without these friends, you doubt in school choice will solidify and you will prevent yourself further from enjoying college.

You need to make the most of the school academically. This is extremely important. First of all, if you do plan and hope on transferring, low grades sure won’t help you accomplish that. More importantly, though, succeeding academically will help you enjoy your college experience overall as it will help you feel less stressed. It will also give you insight into the academic offerings that the school you “have” to go to can offer.

Maybe academics was a reason you wanted to go to another school. Perhaps your “dream” school had a better major or more “prestigious” or highly ranked department. Staying focused and involved academically will help you to discover the wonders of the school you attend. Meet and talk with professors, do research, stay on top of assignments. You may find over time that the school has exactly what you need and has great professors to support you.

Keep looking for unique and awesome friends or a significant other if you are single. As already mentioned, having great friends and continuously looking for new ones and spending quality time with them is important in enjoying college and finding joy in the school you would rather not have gone to. If you are single, keep your eye out for a significant other. This, quite obviously, can drastically increase your appreciation of the school. For less obvious reasons, they could help push you into learning and experiencing the school you go to.

Exploring the nearby city or town is also a great idea. Perhaps you didn’t like this school because its town didn’t look “fun”. Challenge your notions. Get on the bus and head into town with some friends. Go to cafes and restaurants if you can afford to. Visit the parks. If you are old enough, go to the bar. You may find that even if the town or city isn’t exactly what you wanted, it will have something that you like. Involving yourself in the town will also help you feel more connected to the community at large, which could help with your connectedness and enjoyment of the school itself.

Never stop looking for opportunities. Whether it is clubs, academics, or even something like a job, never stop looking. You will always be able to find something exciting and new at whatever school you attend. Even if you don’t attend your “dream” school, opportunities do exist all over the place; you just need to find them.