I’ll be moving from Portland, Oregon to New York City in three days time. By the time this article is published, I’ll already be there. Whoa. I’ve been trying to find the motivation to write an article for this week, but I keep getting distracted. I’ll write a sentence, then Google bookstores in New York, cheap food in New York. I’ll glance at my Word document and then ponder how the subway works, when the free days at the museums are, or where all the famous people live and how to “accidentally run into them." My breath is tight with anticipation and my limbs keep squirming. I’m nervous especially because I’m a transfer student. There’s been so much build-up to this next step, and I’m in a dizzying limbo. It’s been a long, sometimes tedious, other times tempestuous journey. But it has been just that: a journey. Now that I’m embarking on the biggest move I’ll take in my life (so far), I have to keep some things in mind. I wanna band together with all my fellow transfers out there and say: We did it. We’re on our way. And to anyone out there who is unhappy at their current university and has the ability to make change happen, I implore you to do so. You will be so proud of yourself and so much better off, I pinky promise. Sometimes you have to think about what is best for you.

So here is a list of things that all transfer students should keep in mind for their first year at a new school (note: this started as a personal diary entry but I wanted to share it with you guys. My diary is full of cheesy self-motivation, and Mrs. Mark Ruffalo written over and over in pink pen, and plans for world domination, but those are beside the point):

1. You aren't a freshman anymore!

You don't have the added stress of living away from your family for the first time. You know what it's like to be responsible for yourself, to make sure you eat properly, to do your own laundry. You might already know what it's like to have a roommate, how to manage your time, and other college basics. Some of the new-ness of college has worn off, which means some of the anxiety has, too.

2. You'd rather be here than be where you were last year.

There's a reason you're transferring. You weren't happy or fulfilled at your last school. So if you feel homesick or scared at your new school, compare it to last year. Remember how last year sucked. This year is already starting off better.

3. You have worked so hard to get here.

Be proud of yourself for that second round of applications, writing those scholarship essays, requesting those recommendations, and ultimately gaining control of your own destiny. Breathe in and out.

4. You deserve to be here.

All that hard work paid off. You deserve a seat in every class. You deserve to get the best education possible. You deserve happiness and fun!

5. Transferring does not equal failure.

Many people at your old school might have been skeptical of your decision to transfer. But transferring does not mean that you gave up. It means you know yourself better than to force yourself to stay in an environment that isn't good for you.

6. In fact, transferring is brave.

Applying to college is brave. Moving your entire life is brave. Knowing yourself is brave.

7. Seek out other transfers and compare experiences.

If you feel alone in your experience, I implore you to find some other transfer students to talk to. They know how it feels to begin again. Just having them near you can be comforting.

8. Get more involved here than you were at your previous school.

Now is your chance to test out everything college. Try out some clubs, find your thing, go to that party, and sign up for classes that you wouldn't have had the opportunity to take last year. You have all this newfound energy, so share it with your new school.

9. Show some school spirit!

There's no harm in being outright proud to be a [insert mascot here]. Especially if your last mascot was the beaver. Anything is better than a beaver.

10. It's all (finally) happening!

These past couple weeks I've been so nervous. So much so that I hadn't realized just how cool it is that I'm moving across the country and pursuing my dreams. That's cool. Get out there and LIVE, kids!

11. Remember that the hard work doesn't end here.

Now that you've gotten into a great school, you still gotta get them grades and get paid. But you knew that.