Hi! This is my first post so please bear with me. I'm a first-semester freshman at Clemson (F, 18) and I am highly considering transferring out, ideally after first semester.
Before you say anything, please know that i am aware that this is a big descision and it should be thought through. And that after one semester can be a silly choice.
But, as I've spent the last month here I've quickly realized that I don't think Clemson is for me. The isolated campus and the culture are not what I truly want.
For context, I'm from Massachusetts, and I thought I wanted a big, far, southern school with warm weather and lots of spirit. I guess that in my head, I romanticized it after experiencing a few too many New England winters and seeing the weather, palmettos, sports, and school spirit on social media.
Being here has taken a huge toll on my mental health. I am at my lowest I have ever been. I tried rushing, joining clubs, trying out for sports, and even just forcing myself out of my dorm and talking to people around campus daily.
I am so exhausted and discouraged. The worst part is, the biggest things I don't like about the school are things that can't change (location, culture, cost--I am comfortable financially but it kills me to make my parents pay for a college that I don't enjoy, and it doesnt help that I wasn't granted aid).
I'm hoping to go somewhere closer to home, with maybe a smaller student body, more diversity, and ideally not any more expensive than here. A quick, affordable travel day would be great. I'd love to still have some of the things Clemson offers, like prestige and a work hard/play hard culture.
Please be kind to me! I am an 18 year old girl who is trying her best to figure out her life and herself. I know I'm posting to a ton of Clemson fans but I've seen other posts like this and they were helpful.
Any words of advice or simply just thoughts would be so appreciated!