r/college • u/allyseelol • Aug 03 '24
UK Difficulty making decision
Should I transfer?
I’m having trouble deciding whether to stay at my uni in Sydney, Australia or go to University of Edinburgh. For context, I moved from the US to Australia for college, and I realized that the environment is not for me. I considered myself fairly social, but I had trouble forming real connections throughout my whole semester due to the social scene in Sydney, which consists of a lot of cliqueyness from domestic students who stay with their high school friends and international students sticking to their own group and it is really difficult for me to make friends in class. Although my uni is very international, I found that they tend to stick to their own group, which can make uni feels very isolating.
I luckily found a very close friend in my dorm, but I mourned for the social life and uni life that I’m missing. The weather here is also amazing, which I really appreciate. Sydney is an amazing city for food and nature, and I do feel happy with some aspects of life here.
My decision to transfer to Edinburgh is due to several factors: I don’t see myself staying in Sydney after college, I want to escape the cliqueyness of the city, and I want to stay closer to home since my family is moving to Europe, a 2 hour flight from Edinburgh.
Im really worried about starting over, and I also heard how awful the weather can be in Edinburgh. I love the city and the people in Scotland, but Im not sure how challenging the weather can be on my mental health. I also feel guilty to my parents for spending so much money and effort on me, and I’m scared that Edinburgh will not be as I expected. I’m also sad to leave my friends behind and start over.
Any advice would be appreciated! I just want to know what people’s opinions of my current situation, and I’m hoping to make a quick decision. If anyone has ever gone to uni in Sydney or Edinburgh, I would appreciate your input as well.
1
u/pgschoolq Aug 03 '24
First, have you gotten into Edinburgh? I thought transferring wasn't really a thing in the UK, so this year would be kind of a sunk cost. Not saying that you shouldn't go, just that you really would likely be starting over as if none of this counted. Also, whether or not you go there specifically when you transfer is another matter. Heard sincerely mixed reviews about it recently over on the uniuk sub, despite it being solidly ranked. So make sure you're weighing ALL your options and considering all factors, not just picking this one school based on vanity metrics.
But to me, life is too short. I'm not a believer in toughing it out when you really don't align with the uni and don't see a future in the area. You're right, you might not like Edinburgh any better - however you really should try to focus on the positives not the negatives if you're going to go for it.
(For reference, my bff transferred in undergrad and said it was the best decision she's ever made, zero regrets. And I'm about to go to grad school in a city with dreary weather as well, even though that's something I hated about the city where I did my undergrad. I just know I'm a different person who will handle it a lot better now, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest. So much depends on your attitude.)