I want to transfer colleges, but I already told everyone I love it here
🦉WanderingOwl205Helpful Perspectives Given: 0Member since Recently
Perspective requested:Students
I am a sophomore at a small private college. When I first got here I posted constantly about how happy I was. I told my parents it was the perfect fit. I told my high school friends I had found “my people.”
But the truth is that this year has been rough. My closest friend transferred, my classes feel too small, and I feel like I am living in the same tiny bubble every day. I visited a state school two hours away and felt more relaxed there in one weekend than I have here in months.
The embarrassing part is that I made such a big deal about loving my current school. My parents are proud of me for adjusting. My Instagram literally makes it look like I am thriving. I know that sounds stupid, but I feel like transferring would make me look fake or dramatic.
I keep wondering if I am actually unhappy here, or if I am just lonely right now and expecting a school to fix it.
Perspectives on OutsideView are personal opinions from community members. They are not professional medical, mental health, legal, financial, or emergency advice.
If you are in crisis or may hurt yourself or someone else, contact emergency services or a crisis hotline immediately. In the U.S. and Canada, call or text 988.
3 Perspectives Received
Help the poster see their situation more clearly. Share personal perspective, not professional advice.
By posting a perspective, you agree to keep the discussion respectful and understand that your response is a personal opinion, not professional advice.
Student PerspectiveChanged 1 perspective
🐦 BrightSparrow144
I think people overestimate how much others remember what we said six months ago. You feel trapped by the version of yourself who posted “best decision ever,” but most people are busy thinking about their own lives.
Been Through This
🕯️ QuietLantern482
I transferred after my sophomore year and I spent weeks stressing about how I was going to explain it to everyone. Turns out most people just said “oh wow, where are you going?” and moved on. I had built it into this huge thing in my head.
Different Viewpoint
🦉 WanderingOwl205
Before transferring, I would ask yourself one annoying question: if your closest friend had stayed, would you still want to leave? If the answer is no, this might be more about loneliness than the school being wrong. Not saying stay forever, just maybe separate those two things first.
Similar Stories
More stories where your perspective may be useful.