“Do or did you have an unhappy college freshman home for the winter holidays? Going away to college is stressful for many kids (and, yes, parents, too). Creating a new life away from home can be daunting, and stress is normal … preparing to transfer is a bear and requires lots of upfront planning. Also while working with these kids, they often decide to stay where they are. Some discover becoming a visiting student at a campus, which can serve as a nice introduction to a campus they want to transfer to.” …
Also very critical is keeping syllabi from college courses–some universities won’t award transfer credit until their departments have reviewed syllabi. Transferring is not for the faint of heart–colleges spend a lot of resources on orientation for freshmen and little to none for transfers. It can be a lonely experience. Find out what the safety nets are. Each college varies.
Note: it is VERY normal for freshmen to feel that they might have made a mistake at this time of year. Usually students will start to feel a little reined in at the end of the holiday break, and will look forward to going back. And, once back on campus, everything is easier and more familiar than when they arrived in the Fall. Knowing this is normal is a great acknowledgement. In addition, if a student really feels like they made a mistake, they can always make the steps toward transferring, but it is also important to give yourself permission to fall back in love with your current college. Applying to transfer doesn’t mean you HAVE to transfer.