How Do You Know If It's Time To Shift Or Transfer?

College is a place where we get to explore and find a community where young adults can grow. It’s like a strong current that brings them to shore—their end goal. However, it could feel suffocating and scary when you realize that you're riding the wrong stream.

So, how do you know if you're on the right track? Compared to high school, where you were clustered into strands that can help you get a better understanding of your chosen fields. But no matter how much research you do on your dream programs, sometimes you end up realizing that it's not the right fit. And I had to find out the hard way after finishing one whole school year in a program and university that's the complete opposite of where I am now.

Shifting courses and transferring schools often have negative connotations, mostly because of the sunk-cost fallacy. You've invested so much time, effort, and money that you feel these outweigh the benefit of cutting your losses. You may even be afraid of hearing people say: "Sayang naman 'yung nasimulan mo."

But here's the thing: You don't have to listen to that inner voice. If you know that pushing yourself to continue on this path will lead to burnout, then you have to think hard about whether shifting courses is the right decision.

We spoke to some college students who went on the same journey to get their takes, and perhaps help you figure out your next step.

"So when I was still taking Architecture, it was really tough for me. I reached a point where I felt lost, and I felt like I've become a robot who does things routinely. I eventually asked myself why I was in that program, and then I remembered na it wasn't my choice. It wasn't a dream I built for myself. I was trying to live a dream for other people, and I realized that it’s not good that we live the dreams of other people for us." —Raf, 22

"I'm actually currently going through the process of both transferring to a different school and program. I chose to transfer and change my program from Chemical Engineering to Radio Technology because I felt like I wasn't growing anymore. I kept trying, but it felt like I was stuck and wasting time instead of improving. The environment I was in also wasn't good for me, it started affecting my mental health, and I knew I couldn't keep going like that. 

It wasn't an easy decision, because becoming a chemical engineer had been my dream since the ninth grade. It took me almost four months to decide whether to continue or shift programs. I kept asking myself if I was already struggling with these subjects, how much more difficult would the higher ones be? The medical field has always been my second option, and I feel like I truly belong there. That's why, towards the end of the semester, I decided to shift my program and go back home. I realized that studying becomes much easier when you're surrounded by people who love you and genuinely care for you." —Mira, 20

"A few weeks into taking up Interior Design, I already felt like a complete failure. I would constantly compare myself to the progress and the work that my peers had already achieved. This went on for a year of continuous comparison, chasing sleep, falling behind on deadlines, having to reject invitations to go out, and the lack of balance. I felt like I was on autopilot mode. I then asked myself, 'Is this really what I want?' and 'Do I still see myself doing this for the rest of my life?' The answer was NO. 

I wanted out, but didn't know a way out. So I tried to persevere until I failed, eventually, but not surprisingly—this was my last straw. And if I'm being honest, that failure was a blessing in disguise that led me to a better path. People would often tell me that maybe I should have tried harder, that I wasted the resources and time that I already invested in. I cried buckets of disappointment and of relief. But the 'wasted' one and a half years of college is better than 'wasting' the rest of my life drowning in whatever that was."—Aria, 22

"At first, I knew that De La Salle University was an ideal institution for me to pursue my education. But unfortunately, I failed the entrance exam, and that setback didn't hinder me from achieving my goal; it encouraged me to improve myself, consider my errors, and put in more effort. This is where Benilde came into the picture: the institution helped me regain my confidence and strengthen my skills academically. To be honest, what I went through was really hard, given the time constraints, and the effort to go back and forth between Benilde and DLSU was very tiring. I had to study for my finals, fix my academic records, and study for the entrance exam all at the same time. But my perseverance and dedication are what kept me pursuing my dream school. That failure motivated me to improve myself and work harder."

"I pursued this change due to the unavailability of my desired course at my local university. Though I had initially settled for a course that was sort of related to what I had originally wanted, my desire to study Mechatronics and Robotics pushed me to apply to other universities overseas. With the support of my parents, I pushed myself to reach for my goals of engineering wherever they may be. I realized that I am too passionate about robotics to let hurdles such as time zones and international flights get in my way." —Ellie, 22

As someone who chose to shift and transfer, it's definitely a difficult decision to make and commit to. Don't be afraid to take time off if you need a breather—being delayed is normal in college! And no matter what happens, know that you are not alone in this journey; if you look around, there are also individuals going through the same situation. Transferring schools or shifting programs isn't a form of failure or rejection—it's redirection.