How long do you give it? ...

curiouser
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:05:08 +0000

Sometimes, the fit just isn’t there. As others have mentioned, social life in college is fundamentally important to emotional development & maturity…it’s not just about the classes.

It sounds as if things have improved slightly, which is wonderful news. Perhaps she will find her niche and be one of those students who just had the initial struggles of adjustment.

But in taking a broader, long-term view though, serious consideration of a transfer may turn out to be the best solution. Many students do learn to manage in spite of their discomfort. However, there are SO many options out there, it seems to me if there’s another place that might meet her academic goals AND could be a better fit beyond the classroom, it could be worth it.

There are many kids who really are struggling with simple homesickness or initial adjustment troubles. But in lots of cases, the college wasn’t the best choice. In talking to parents of kids who transferred, MOST were much happier in their new environment, having chosen it with an eye on what they learned they needed in a college.

She still has 3 YEARS after freshman year…that’s a very long time to live with a situation you don’t feel good about.