I Hate College: Is This Normal? What Should I Do about It? (2024)

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Co-authored byAlexander Ruiz, M.Ed.and Caroline Heiderscheit

Last Updated: November 19, 2023Fact Checked

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1. Yes, this feeling is super common—you’re not alone. Some people think of college as the best phase of their life, but that’s not true for everyone. If it feels like all of your friends and peers are having a perfect college experience, think again. The way you’re feeling is totally normal, and in fact, college students today are more stressed than ever.^[1] Whether it’s academic pressure or the college lifestyle that’s the cause, you’re not alone.

   • At the end of the day, we’re all different. No one period, place, or lifestyle will suit everyone. So if you’ve heard that old phrase (“These are the best days of your life…”), know that objectively, that won’t be true for everyone. And that’s okay!

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   See Also

   These Are the 10 Degrees With the Highest Dropout RatesIs College Worth The Cost? Pros Vs. ConsIs College Hard? - [ Are College Classes Easier Than High School ] -I Hate College - Reasons You Hate College & What to Do About It

   Know your "why."Knowing "why" you're doing something helps you get through those moments when you feel like giving up. If aren't sure what your reason is, ask yourself "What am I doing this for, anyway?" For many, their "why" has to do with the value of a college degree, since any degree, certification, or skill is going to make you more valuable in the long run. Consider your personal values to figure out your "why," and live in line with those values!

   • For some people, the "why" is financial—they pick a career path for the security that it provides in the future. Others choose their path based on what they're good at or what they feel will allow them to contribute the most.
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   Choose a major that makes you happy or fulfilled. If you chose a major that you don’t connect with or feel is propelling your life forward, that could leave you feeling empty. Reflect on your course of study, and make sure that it either lines up with your interests or long-term goals. Ask yourself: where do I want to be in five years? Or, what do I love to learn about right now? Then, match your major to your self-discoveries. Reflect and see if the reason you hate college is because you're doing what your parents or other people think you should in the future, rather than listening to yourself.

   • If you have a specific career goal in mind, what do you need to study to get there? Learn more through research or talk to someone in the field.
   • On the other hand, you don’t need to figure your future out now. Does your heart soar when you read Russian literature? You can’t go wrong following your passions!
   • You may feel pressure around this choice, but as long as you believe in your studies (as a means to expand your mind or a tool to get your from A to B) you’ll be just fine.
   • If you choose a major that not only aligns with your professional and personal goals, but also aligns with your talents and strengths, your experience will be vastly more pleasant. It will always be something that's going to be more interesting to you as you're studying.
   • Remember, though—you're still in a transitional phase where you are becoming independent. Give yourself leeway around needing to know exactly what you want to do with your life. All you need is a rough draft, as you can always change your course in the future! The idea that choosing the wrong path at 20 years old will determine the rest of your life isn't true. It's only true if you believe that your education stops when you finish college or that you can't recreate yourself any time you want.
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   Strategize to make your course load more manageable. No matter your major, college classes can be extremely tough, and that might be hurting your overall happiness. Getting organized, taking a balanced course load, and making the most of your electives can be great tools. Try out these tips:^[2]

   • Create a daily schedule. Make a day-long schedule that includes studying, chores, and most importantly—breaks. This’ll help you use your time super wisely!
   • Stagger your tough courses. If you know certain classes will be tougher than others, don’t take them all at once. Spread them evenly across your 4 years instead.
   • Take easy, fun elective courses. For units that aren’t required by your major, go light. Choose easy extra courses, and talk to peers to get more intel.
   • Break up your work over time. Mark due dates on and plan to get chunks of work done over time, so you’re not forced to pull stressful all-nighters.
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   Focus on staying connected with friends and family. Some people miss their deepest connections at college, feeling a bit like they’re surrounded by new friends, but no loved ones. That’s totally normal—plus, you can incorporate those relationships into your college life super easily if you’re intentional. Communicate with them regularly, plan visits, and talk about them with your college peers.^[3]

   • If you can’t visit home often, start a countdown for when you can. This’ll help you keep in mind that even though you’re apart now, you won’t be soon!
   • FaceTime, Skype, written letters—talk to your loved ones as often as you can. For your closest connections plan to call at a certain hour or day, and stick to it.
   • As strange as it sounds, just talking about loved ones can make them feel close. When you can, share stories about friends and family with new connections.
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   Carve out time for your passions and fun activities. For a lot of unhappy students, stress is the culprit. You work so hard and you deserve a break—so give yourself one! Make “fun” a top priority in your schedule. Reward yourself for studying with an ice cream trip, make Saturdays your self-care day, or take a course in an area you’re passionate about, like musical theory.^[4]

   • Sometimes, students feel guilty for setting time aside for themselves. If you struggle with this, remember that taking a break will actually help you study better later on!
   • Spend time with people who make you feel great. You know that friend who always makes you laugh? They’d be a perfect pal to help with stress relief.
   • If you’re not sure where to start, here are some common stress-relieving activities: meditating, doing yoga, journaling, playing music, and hiking outdoors.
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   Make friends through clubs and events. For some, college can feel lonely. That’s totally normal, and even if it may not seem so, most students (even the ones who seem like a friend to all) feel this at some point. Put yourself out there and be intentional about new people and trust us, new friendships will follow. And even just a couple great pals can make a huge difference—don’t give up!^[5]

   • Join a club based on an interest of yours. Next thing you know, you’ll have a new community—one that you already have a ton in common with.
   • Spend time in public places. Your dorm’s common room, coffee shops, and pubs are great—and be open to conversations with new people.
   • Make it a habit that whenever you sit next to someone new in class, you introduce yourself. You might not talk to some again, but for some people, you totally will.
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   Incorporate adult-ing life hacks into your day-to-day routine. It might be that for you, regular cooking, cleaning, and laundry are getting you down. The truth is, this is an issue that’ll get way easier over time. But to help ease you into the transition, try out some classic adult-approved tips. Try taking a cooking class or setting up a weekly clean, for example. Or, try out these strategies below:

   • Small, simple changes can make your room feel clean. Try making your bed, clearing your desk’s surface, and putting knickknacks into a mess drawer.^[6]
   • Buy some cheap, easy meals to zap when you’re feeling tired. Ramen, soups, and microwavable rice dishes are all great picks!
   • Keep your clothes looking clean using dewrinkling hacks and using stain-removal hacks.
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   Reach out to an on-campus resource for help if you need it. Even if it doesn’t always seem like it, your campus is probably crawling with professionals who can help you navigate tricky feelings. Or, if your school doesn’t, reach out to local professionals instead. Look online or in your school directory for people who will know how to help you find your footing.^[7]

   • If you’re worried about what you’ll do after college, reach out to an on-campus or off-campus career adviser.
   • If you’re struggling with your courses and academic stress, talk to an academic advisor instead (this is a resource you’ll find on campus).
   • If you’re struggling with mental health issues, talk to a licensed mental health counselor.

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1. It’s totally normal and ultimately your call. No one can or should make this decision for you. And at the same time, no one should pressure you to keep attending school if you know it’s not right for you. College isn’t for everyone, and you have tons of other options if you decide to follow a different course. Take some time, reflect, and make a choice that serves your goals and needs.^[8]

   • If you’re really struggling, always remember to put your health and happiness first. Reach out to a therapist or a trusted loved one right away and get help if you need it.
   • At the end of the day, no degree is worth as much as your wellbeing. If you don’t feel like you can wait to reflect on the decision, that’s okay.
   • Plus, your school probably offers leaves of absence, too. Reach out to your advisor for more help—this might be the perfect solution for you.

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1. Explore other opportunities to get an idea of what’s out there. Maybe you want to go into trade school, maybe you want to start your own business, or maybe you want to take some time off. If it’s right for you, then that makes your decision valid. Once you’ve made your choice, go for it—and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty. You know what you want, and that’s amazing! Make sure to look inwards and reevaluate your priorities with regards to education and professional life. You could:^[9]

   • Become a pilot
   • Get a job as a postmaster
   • Join the military
   • Start a career as a makeup artist
   • Train to become an electrician
   • Start your own business
   • Go to a shorter junior or a technical college instead of a 4-year college.

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