I currently attend a very small school, and by small I mean there are only around 830 students. I transferred from a larger school, because I was offered something better where I currently am. I was offered a full academic scholarship, which covers books, tuition, room/board, and any other fees that are attached to the school. So, I get around $40,000 a year. It is such a blessing to have the scholarship and I am entirely thankful for it. On the other hand I really am not liking the school. Since the school is so small, around 80% of the population consists of athletes. Which means the school is solely based on athletics and not academics. I do not find myself being challenged in my classes, and find that I am back in high school. The professors treat us like children half of the time because most of the students act like children. They truly do not seem to know how to be mature in a classroom setting. I have also found it hard to even have a social life. I have not been able to actually live a true college life, even though I focus on my academics because that is the reason for me to be in college. I have tried to get involved and make friends, but the students are cliquey and seem to not want anyone else in their circle because they aren’t apart of the same fraternity/sorority or sport as them. I just do not find myself happy here, but I don’t think I could give up the money. I really do not know what to do, and hope to gain some counsel on if I am doing the right thing on staying where I am.
Is there a question here?
How many years do you have left in college? Answers might be different for a junior versus a freshman.
This is my first year
“I really do not know what to do, and hope to gain some counsel on if I am doing the right thing on staying where I am.”
I think that’s the question
Was the “something better” of this school only the money, or something programmatic? Did you think there were other advantages to your current school before going there? Other than money, were you satisfied with your first school?
Have you talked to any of your professors about this? Is the silver lining perhaps an opportunity to shine, to get special opportunities, projects, research,attention or recognition from profs, since you seem more attuned to your studies than most other students? Are you thinking of graduate/professional schools afterwards, to satisfy more of your needs later?
Can your parents afford for you to return to your first school, if you liked it and would be readmitted? Generally, I would say to sit tight at this point and make the very best of your scholarship situation, but if you explore every possibility and cannot find any way to get the academic challenges you need from the school, or from any other peers, it may be reasonable to make a change. Not sure how hard or easy it is to make a second transfer.
Is there an honors college at your school you could apply to? Maybe you could find more rigor and meet like minded students that way?