tiger3756

I currently attend a HADES school. I was admitted to three other schools and considered two of the three, one being HADES and the other being GLADCHEMMS. I felt the "warm fuzzy feeling" at the GLADCHEMMS school, but my parents didn't want me to attend. They felt that the were not serious enough about their education, and that there was too much of an emphasis on sports. They drove me towards my current HADES school because of its prestige, academics and faculty, though I disliked it strongly after my revisit. After a few months here I feel extremely out of place and am interested in transferring to a private day school in my home state or transferring to another boarding school. I continually try to give my current school a chance. I plan on waiting til December and then deciding whether to reapply. Even if I do reapply, I won't decide on whether or not I will actually transfer until I experience more of what this school has to offer. I love the academics and people in my dorm, but I have had a hard time making friends, and often feel alone. Additionally, the kids at my current school, despite its academic reputation, are largely unmotivated and don't care about learning. I feel as if I could benefit more from a close-knit community, or that I could benefit more from living at home with my parents. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice on how I could proceed?

HarvestMoon1

I am certain that more than a few of your classmates are probably feeling the same way right about now. The first semester, and indeed the whole first year at BS, is a time of adjustment. It can be quite unsettling. My observation has been that sometimes the friendships formed during those first few months, are not always the lasting ones. In fact, although my child is on good terms with all classmates, the lasting friendships seemed to be formed second year, once common interests and personalities were more established. There is a lot of "clinging" those first few semesters, which can be irritating to the more secure students. So I think you are wise to give it more time - I am confident that things will be looking up for you.

The academic issue that you mention is surprising to me. Hard to imagine that your whole class is generally unmotivated, especially if you are attending a top tier school. Maybe just first year students still having a bit of fun? Things do get pretty serious, pretty quickly, on the academic front, so again I think you may be reaching a conclusion too early on.

I would let your parents know now how you are feeling. Really, could just be the adjustment that everyone goes through when they leave the comfort of their own family and friends. I honestly feel that it is too early to start pulling together applications to other schools. Remember, the adjustment at another school will be the same!

Periwinkle

Is there an adult at your school to whom you could turn for guidance? Your advisor, or the mentor of an extracurricular activity? I recommend you try out new activities, as students will seek out different activities. The newspaper? Theater? Community Service? Debate? A religious club? If you haven't tried an activity before, it doesn't hurt to check it out. It might just be that you haven't yet found your "tribe." Try an activity you couldn't do at home, and don't think you'll be good at.

Students do transfer schools. If you are interested in reapplying to a school which accepted you last year, I recommend contacting the director of admissions at that school for details as to how to proceed.

Speak with your parents over Thanksgiving Break. Be honest about your feelings. Please don't go into more details online.