Don't switch to a Linux distro. There is no good reason for everyday computer users like 99.9% of us to use Linux other than the lack of price tag, and I'm willing to bet that your university provides either free or discounted copies of various versions of Windows through the IT/Student Services/whatever-analog department. I made the mistake in high school for a few months before coming back to my senses and realizing that after a full month of tweaks and hacks, I had accomplished reaching about 90% of my original functionality.
Spoiler for XKCD: