The summer leading up to your freshman year of college is super exciting and full of anticipation of what's to come. Then at the end of August you say goodbye to your high school friends and climb into your packed car, hoping that by the next time you see them you'll all be able to swap crazy stories about your first semester of college.

What if you go to school but you are not happy? How do you know if you should stick out the next four years and try to find happiness, or if you should consider starting over at a new school? Here is a list of the five things that convinced me transferring to UConn after my freshman year would be the right decision.

1. Your college does not offer the major you want.

Sometimes you go into college thinking you want to study one thing, and a few weeks in you realize you made the wrong decision. Changing your major is a normal part of college and should be easy. However, not all colleges offer the same majors. If you realize that your college doesn't have the major you want and in turn may prevent you from following a certain career path, it may be worth it to transfer schools.

2. You have a strong desire to go home on the weekends.

If you're unhappy at school you will try to go home every chance you get. This is a good indication that it is time for you to move on. The weekends are when you're supposed to be making memories with your friends. You should be in an environment that makes you want to stay, not run away.

3. You don't have any desire to visit your friends at other schools.

If you aren't happy where you are it could be torture to visit your friends at their schools. Maybe it's hard to see them so happy where they are because you'd rather be there yourself.

4. It's hard to justify the amount of student debt you're racking up.

College is expensive. That's a fact. However, those who are enjoying their time and feel as though the ends will justify the means are able to accept that. They don't like taking out loans, but it seems worth it. If it is not worth it, than go to a place that doesn't seem like a waste of money.

5. You feel like you don't belong.

Every college has it's own vibe. Some are artsy. Some are athletic. Some are conservative. If you don't feel as though your personality fits the stereotype of your school you may feel like an outsider. Why waste your time there when you could be at another school where you feel as though you belong?

Transferring does not mean that you failed. Sometimes a college or university looks good on paper, but just isn't a good fit. Don't waste your time struggling to accept a school that you don't like. Take a chance and make a change. It was the best decision that I ever made.