I left my university in Milan to study in a much smaller town. I loved the lower cost of living and slower pace.

"I crossed the street near where I was living in Milan on the verge of tears. I had had enough of feeling sad, lonely, and hopeless. That surely wasn't how I expected to feel in my first year of university. The previous spring, I had thought about which undergraduate degree I wanted to pursue for months, reading about courses, tuition, and life in a new place. Since I loved writing and dreamed of becoming a journalist, studying communication seemed like the best bet."

"The majority of the courses I was taking were engaging, but we occasionally experienced last-minute schedule changes and disorganized lecturers, and that didn't sit right with me. More importantly, I began to feel guilty about the expenses my parents were covering for me. They assured me they could afford it and that my education was worthwhile to them; nonetheless, the tuition and rent were expensive. And, if I wasn't loving it, should they be spending so much?"

"Living in Milan was way more exciting in my dreams than it was in reality. While this metropolis had a lot to offer, like cultural exhibitions, sports events, and a lively nightlife, it was also chaotic and hectic. I often felt agitated and restless. In my first months there, my sleep was severely affected. It was extremely challenging to find accommodation near the university, and I ended up in a small apartment with a shared bedroom."

A student chose a private university in Milan to study communication, drawn by course content and city life. The first year included engaging classes but frequent last-minute schedule changes, disorganized lecturers, and housing difficulties. High tuition and rent created guilt about parental expenses. City chaos, poor sleep, loneliness, and agitation increased stress and hopelessness. Difficulty finding suitable accommodation led to a small shared apartment and noisy surroundings. After one year, the student transferred to the University of Urbino, a public university in a smaller town, and experienced improved well-being, reduced financial pressure, and a better living and academic fit.

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