Leaving UC to a community college

I am currently a first year student at UCSB and have had a really hard time during this year, I failed my first quarter and passed my second quarter now but I am looking to get out of this school. Does anyone have any advice if it would be a good decision to go to a community college and finish my general ed there first and then apply to transfer to a 4 year. I am switching my major to child development and UCSB doesn’t offer it anyways so I see no point to stay. I am not sure what the best decision is.

If you really dislike UCSB, then it does make sense to do the next year at a community college.

However, be sure to do all of the withdrawal paperwork to leave in good academic and financial standing and preserve the possibility of readmission to UCSB if you change your mind and want to return.

Also please make sure that you won’t owe anything on your financial aid. Make sure you swing by the financial aid office.

Also if you’re switching to Child Development, the return on your investment (tuition expenses) isn’t the greatest. In other words your pay is going to be about minimum wage, so you may want to see if you can finish a degree in child development at the CC. Some California community colleges are offering a four year degree in certain majors and I think Child development is one of them

A CSU would also be less expensive and would result in the same or similar diploma. It depends what you plan to do with that CD degree.

Please go to financial aid and make sure that you won’t end up owing money to the University. You may want to check with housing as well.

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There is absolutely zero shame in leaving a school you don’t like / don’t fit in / don’t do well and go to community college.

A lot of people pick a school for the wrong reason and regret as soon as school starts. The mistake will be to stay and be miserable. Worse, if you don’t do well and they kick you out.

Now, this can be “situational” where you are depressed for leaving family for the first time or having hard time adjusting and things CAN turn around. If you want to leave for that reason, you may want to reconsider. A lot of people want to quit something off the bat only to overcome whatever struggles they had and thrive. OTH they don’t offer what you want to study now, that may be a good reason to leave.

Having said that, my brother had to leave UCI because he was doing horrible and was either leave or get kicked out. My friend left UCLA because academically he wasn’t cutting it, went to a CC or two years and transferred back. Cousin left UCSB because it was too far from everyone, went to CC and transferred later to UCI to be with family. Lots of options. Time is on your side.

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