Is the idea of going to classes itself giving you trauma? Are you trying your best to cope but still finding it difficult to manage? If you too have mixed feelings about your college and searching for – should I transfer colleges if I’m extremely depressed, then this article is for you.
Changing colleges is not an easy decision and you know it! But is college more important than your mental health – I don’t think so. This is a roller coaster and only you can figure out the right way. I will help you though!
Find the exact cause behind the depression.
When you’re depressed, you cannot think properly. You often loop yourself in the negative thought patterns which often lead to wrong decisions. That’s why it’s essential to figure out if it is the college that’s causing depression or something else. So ask yourself:
- Is your experience of college different from what you imagined?
- Is it related to the people or faculty in the college?
- Are there family and financial factors involved?
- Is it your past trauma that’s making you feel anxious?
- Are you just feeling homesick?
Remember, sometimes you may think college is the reason but in reality, it might be a deep-seated trauma that’s causing trouble. That’s why, don’t hesitate to take professional help. You’ll easily find counselors in the college who can help you with this.
You must figure out the exact cause behind the depression. Once it’s done, half of your problem is already resolved.
Now when the half-work is done and you figured out the exact cause the question remains the same – Should I transfer colleges if I’m extremely depressed? Well, it’s not black and white but a few tips will surely help you make a better decision.
1. Don’t make big decisions quickly
Don’t be like today you’re feeling depressed and after a few days you decided to change your college. You may not be able to think of the repercussions but the impact of such impulsive decisions is huge.
Later if things didn’t go right you will feel guilty about it and blame yourself that you would have given yourself time before making a decision. Believe me, I have made such decisions which I regret until now.
The key here is to think, ask, and evaluate your options before arriving at any decision.
2. Focus on a long-term perspective
Ups and downs are a part of life! When you go through a difficult phase in life, it feels like it’s never ending but nothing lasts forever. Most freshmen have such feelings and often search answers for should I transfer colleges if I’m extremely depressed?
It’s because everything is new and sometimes overwhelming to cope up with. Just keep in mind, it’s not difficult, it’s just new. If you’ve already completed a year in college then your experience will be different.
Whatever it is, try to focus on the reasons why you joined the college. The degree you wanted to complete, the job you want to take, or the status in society you want.
Sounds like old school advice but if you recognize your goals, it gets easier to select the right path to achieve them.
3. Weigh the pros and cons of transferring
The exertion of leaving a place and people is itself difficult to take and will hit you hard if you’re already depressed. In the new place, you’ll have to make new friends and if your professors always help you out, it will be difficult to find the same people there.
Also, if you’re planning to stay at home for some time before joining another college then consider how your family will react. Do you have a safety net at home that’ll support you and protect you from depressive thoughts or is it the other way around?
Indeed, you’ll have positives too but often when making a decision that we like, we often ignore the negative outcomes. It’s better to write on a paper and then evaluate.
4. Find students experiencing the same issue
Problems are not a regular part of life, that’s why when they come, we often have an understanding that oh I’m alone in this. You might be having similar thoughts while searching for Should I transfer colleges if I’m extremely depressed?
However, you’re not alone! I won’t say it’s common for students to think about changing colleges but it’s not extremely rare either.
Discuss your thoughts with your friends and college counselors, they will surely help you find a similar group. If it doesn’t work then the Internet is a great place to connect! Join Reddit forum, ask you questions on quora, you may find someone.
Talking with someone who has similar issues is itself a relief. Also, it will be beneficial to connect with students who have already taken this step. Ask about their experience, problems they faced, and their achievements.
5. Keep yourself busy
It’s a simple trick that usually works for many. You might be having many negative thoughts because you just have a lot of time to think. Try to keep yourself busy in college seminars, sports, the library, or whatever you like.
Try to know more about your college other than the classes. For example – the faculties, people, and extra services they offer – you might change your decision.
6. Ask a third person, seek professional help
As I said, it’s difficult to think clearly when you’re depressed. That’s why you should take the opinion of another person – better a professional.
Also, I may keep on telling you the options but I don’t know the actual problem you’re facing, and maybe all of this advice for our topic “Should I transfer colleges if I’m extremely depressed” is just useless for you.
That’s why it’s better to consult someone who understands academics and mental health better! Someone who can patiently understand your problem and guide you on the right path.
Make a decision you won’t regret about later
The future is uncertain and you never know what impact your decision may have on your career. Things can go either way – positively or negatively.
However, when you evaluate your options and seek advice before deciding, you’ll have peace of mind that you did what you felt was right. Whatever follows is a part of the journey.
Also, if feelings of depression are the sole reason for changing college, give serious thought to staying before making a final decision. Simply because you can work on managing your thoughts but cannot reclaim the time you’ve lost.
I hope you were able to find an answer to the question: should I transfer colleges if I’m extremely depressed? You can also drop your queries in the comments.
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FAQs
1. Will transferring colleges improve my mental health?
If your college’s environment is toxic then changing it will surely help in improving mental health. However, if the root cause is unrelated, the same issues will follow.
2. Is it normal to feel depressed in college?
When people think of college they have a positive image of friends and fun. Depression is not normal but you can feel overwhelmed.
3. What are the risks of changing college when depressed?
You cannot think properly when depressed, later you’ll regret making such decisions.
4. Is taking a break a good option other than transferring?
Yes, a leave of absence or gap semester/year can be an option if you want to focus on your mental health.
5. What if I’m too scared to talk?
It’s okay to feel scared – start by writing everything down, talk to the people you trust and try anonymous online groups.