It’s time to stop pretending that college is all fun and games. Sometimes, it can be a dark and miserable place—a place where students are left feeling isolated and alone, without anyone to turn to when things get rough.
But who are the colleges with the unhappiest students? According to The Princeton Review’s new report, these beautiful bastions of higher education are:
- Northeastern University
- University of California-San Diego (UCSD)
- San Diego State University (SDSU)
- Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
- Florida International University (FIU)
Colleges With The Unhappiest Students
Introduction
We took a look at the happiest colleges in America, now we’re looking at the other end of the spectrum. A college’s atmosphere and student body play a huge role in making sure you feel comfortable and supported on campus during your four years there. No matter how good the academics are, if you don’t get along with your classmates or feel isolated on campus, it can be hard to focus on your studies. We’ve compiled this list of colleges with the unhappiest students so that incoming freshmen know what they’re getting into before they pack their bags for move-in day.
The Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston draws a small and socially-conscious student body, but many are not happy with the college’s services and resources.
The Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston draws a small and socially-conscious student body, but many are not happy with the college’s services and resources. The Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston draws a small and socially-conscious student body, but many are not happy with the college’s services and resources.
The school has been on probation from its accrediting agency for failing to meet several benchmarks, including maintaining adequate financial resources for its students. The school has been on probation from its accrediting agency for failing to meet several benchmarks, including maintaining adequate financial resources for its students.
Lawrence University is a liberal art school located in Appleton, Wisconsin. Most students report decent experiences in and out of the classroom, but some identify problems with personality clashes, particularly among freshmen and sophomores.
Lawrence University is a liberal art school located in Appleton, Wisconsin. The college has an impressive percentage of students reporting positive experiences at the university. Most students report decent experiences in and out of the classroom, but some identify problems with personality clashes, particularly among freshmen and sophomores.
A few students at Dartmouth College seem unhappy with the social scene on campus and how it affects their academic experience. Among complaints were that students take themselves too seriously or that their lives revolve around alcohol or Greek life.
Yet, a few students at Dartmouth College seem unhappy with the social scene on campus and how it affects their academic experience. Among complaints were that students take themselves too seriously or that their lives revolve around alcohol or Greek life.
Students have a hard time finding their place in the social circles of college, whether they are in fraternities or not. This can lead to many feeling isolated from others and not fitting in anywhere.
Students often describe themselves as uninterested in partying or alcohol at Wheaton College, an Evangelical Christian school in Wheaton, Illinois. This might contribute to feelings of isolation, though most students say they feel at home at Wheaton and have found their niche on campus.
While most students at Wheaton College say they feel at home on campus, some have reported feeling isolated.
“I think people in general are just kind of unhappy here,” said one student. “I’ve never seen anyone be happy.”
Others echoed similar sentiments: “The culture here is not very positive.”
But many students emphasized that Wheaton’s strict religious views do not necessarily translate into a campus filled with unhappiness. “I think Wheaton is a good place to find yourself and figure out what you want out of life,” said another student. “There are so many opportunities for everyone to find their niche.”
Like other schools that made our list of unhappiest campuses, Saint Joseph’s University has a strong Greek system and students say it can be difficult to meet people outside the clubs. Some students also say they’ve been unhappy with the overall social climate on campus due to “cliques” of friends that form among incoming freshmen.
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Conclusion
If you’re unhappy, it’s crucial to remember that the college experience is what you make of it. You can find a campus community at any school and make new friends, even if the school you attend might not be the best fit for your personality.
