Over the last couple of months, I have come across a revelation. No matter how hard I try and no matter how much I pretend...it's getting more and more obvious.

The more and more I think about it...the less and less I'm enjoying my time in university...

DISCLAIMER: I am in by NO means thinking about dropping out of school...this is definitely NOT an option, just to straighten things out.

See, the problem is that when I was in school first year, I enjoyed it, not just because of all the friends I made, but also because of the fact that I was enrolled in mass communications...a program that I actually enjoyed...and a program that I desperately wanted to stay in...unfortunately, after first year, I missed the cutoff by 0.5% (how do you like that?) So, I was forced to change my major...and I decided to go for English, since I did well in that course last year, and it seemed like the only option I had.

Well, six months has now passed in the school year, and I must say that I really do not enjoy my program at all...see, the program I'm taking deals with strictly literature, which is okay, but it's not my strong point (I'm more of a writer type) and unfortunately, the school I attend does not have writing workshops. I have tried to get back in mass communications, but the school is adamant about the rule that "if you are kicked out, you stay out" despite missing the cutoff by so little.

I guess you could say that I'm in a program where I feel like I'm wasting time and money because I'm not getting anything out of it, and I'm not sure if I will be able to get a great job other than English teacher...a job I don't have any interest in. I really would like to take courses in things that actually interest me like creative writing, multimedia, film studies and broadcasting, and while my school offers these programs, again, I am restricted from taking these because I missed the cutoff by a measly 0.5%!

So, as of right now, my plan is to finish the year, and then see if I can transfer my credits to another college or university...the problem with that though is that I am kind of worried about how this switching of schools will affect my student loan payments, and also, am worried about settling into life in a different place. Transportation isn't a huge issue, on the plus side, as I have a train pass, so that's the only thing I have going for me as far as switching schools go.

I guess what I'm asking is this.

1. Anyone else been in similar situations like mine?
2. Is this normal for students my age to feel so uncertain about things?
3. What would you do if you were in my size 12's?

I know this is a lot to take in, but I'm really looking for advice!

Well, I was never in that situation exactly, but I have transferred from one spot to another. Is it normal to be uncertain? Absolutely! I changed my major 3 times before I found something I could actually do.

If this school your at won't allow you into the program you want, by all means go elsewhere...there's nothing worse than wasting your time studying up on something you don't want in the first place. Best way to succeed in college is to find a major you'll actually enjoy to some extent.

Not sure how loans go..I'll leave that for someone else. About settling in...depends who ya are I guess. When I transferred over, I settled in within my first week, but that's just my nature. You seem like one that'd do just fine :cool:

Check out other schools you're interested in attending that have the program you're looking for. Check the places out and talk to financial aid about the loan thing...I'm sure they'll let ya know what's up there.

Credit transferring is another thing to consider...some take a lot, some take a little...just another thing to watch for...

Originally posted by Roemello
When I transferred over, I settled in within my first week, but that's just my nature. You seem like one that'd do just fine :cool:



According to my post count, it looks like it! :lol:

Thanks, Roem...I've just never felt so uncertain before about anything!

Perfectly normal...can make the road a little longer finding what you want, but it's better than mulling in something that makes ya miserable :) There'll be plenty of uncertainty to come in life...just roll with it and see what happens! Nothing ventured, nothing gained :cool:

It's good to hear that I'm not the only one having problems with college. . .

Jughead, even if you "drop out" of school, the world will not end and you will not end. If things are not going your way now, I think you really should keep that as an option to take a break. I'm 24 and still trying to get my bachelor's degree. I took some time off, because I did need it at that time.

We are raised to think we can not deviate from our path in school because we are brought up that way from grades K-12. Anyone who was left behind in K-12 was considered a total moron and the object of humilation. But in college it's a completely different story. Everyone has a different story once their out of high school, and we all move at our own pace. Not because of intelligence, but because of who we are.

The VAST majority of people do not get their degree in the traditional 4-6 year term. The reason I'm telling you this is because back around '98 I was feeling like you are now, it was unthinkable for me to "drop out" of school and just start working or whatever for a while. Looking back I realized I spent so much time worrying about nothing. I kept arguing with people who told me it might be best to take time off(Because of certain personal problems I was having back then), I kept thinking of how I would be looked at as stupid. I kept wondering how I would get a good job and survive in the world. It was really a lot of worrying about stuff that is important, but college students tend to catostrophise. The rest of the students out there don't care how you are doing, they have their own life and problems and own grades to worry about.

Which school you at Jughead?

My 2 cents. I think the value of a university education goes way beyond the specific curriculum in question. By that I mean that even with a degree in English, there are many employment possibilities beyond teaching. You secure a job by selling yourself to the position. You can do this in many ways and I would not worry so much about it until after graduation and you are looking to set out on your career.

A three or four year degree in any subject would indicate an ability to learn, an ability to work and the ability to apply yourself to long-term goals. All degrees imply this.

So I would say try and do what you really like to do. If that means having to switch schools then give it some serious consideration. After graduation you can look at what you want as a career and then examine how your education can be applied towards your career. Don't get too hung up on looking at it the other way around. :)

Okay, I'm not going to get on a soap box about the value of a college education. Although I do have a Bachelors degree.

ANYWAY..........student loans can be transferred once you've completed the school year. In other words, you'll want to complete the school year at the university you are presently attending because that's the institution to which your present loans are tied.

Deadlines for loans and financial aid in general are pretty stringent so you'll want to make sure that you speak to someone in the financial aid department at the university you plan to transfer to in order to find out how to take care of this situation. You'll also want to speak with a representative with the financial aid lender so that you'll know what to do as far as the application process is concerned.

I had financial aid in college but did it at one university. I did transfer but did not have financial aid at the first university I attended. My sister, however, has attended three different universities and she had financial aid at all three. It's not too difficult but the paperwork can sometime be a pain in the butt.

Hope this helps. By the way, if you don't feel that the university you're attending is servicing your educational needs, they certianly don't need your money. Why spend time paying back loans on an education that you don't appreciate. It just doesn't make sense. I changed my major 5 times before I transferred from the Jr. College to the University that is not my Alma Mater. If for some reason you change your mind again, it's not the end of the world. THis is a time for exploration of yourself and will lay the foundation for who you will blossom into. Good luck with your decision and the financial aid thing. You are welcome to PM or email if you'd like to take this discussion offline with me or ask more questions. ;)