Expert: Susie Watts - 10/31/2006

Question
I am currently a freshman at a four- year university about 90 minutes from my home. I have had an extremely difficult time adapting to college life, living away from my mom among many other challenges. I wanted to attend a community college first so I could bring up my grades and decide on a major. Then, I wanted to attend a college away from my hometown because I am really bored there. But I just don't think I'm ready right now. I still feel immature. I want to go back home, get my driver's license, get a job, and enroll in the community college while looking for a university to transfer away from home to earn my bachelor's degree. Do you think that's a good idea?

Answer
I would suggest that you give your four-year university a try for another semester.  Many students feel like transferring sometime during their first semester because college often brings new challenges.  Most return for the second semester and feel differently by the end of the year. If you are still unhappy at the end of the second semester, you have given your college a fair chance and transferring to a community college for a year might be a good idea.