Moving to a new town to go to a new school, maybe with a new major... Sounds like fun, right? Whether from a community college or a four-year university, transfer students tend to have the same problems. If you're thinking about transferring, don't freak out. It's really not that bad. I swear. If you're a transfer, I feel you. Here are some common struggles to let you know that someone else out there feels your pain.
1. Everyone thinks you're a freshman.
Do I look like a freshman to you? You know that twinge of pain when someone assumes that you're inexperienced in the ways of a (probably broke) college kid. No offense to the freshmen out there, but no one really wants to be back in that position.
2. "Oh, so you're basically a freshman!"
Nope. Doesn't work like that.
3. You have to learn a whole new campus. Again.
And you had just gotten used to the old one. You'll probably (definitely) get lost at least twice, and end up being late to the class that was right there the whole time. But you can't ask someone for directions at the risk of looking like a freshman (sorry, y'all). And when your second semester comes around, you have to do it all over again.
4. You definitely have at least two classes whose credits didn't transfer.
So you have to take it all over again. And it'll definitely be a class you really hated, or you struggled to get a C in. It's never anything easy, like Intro to Psych. The universe must hate you to make you take chemistry for the second time.
5. Making friends can actually be really hard.
You're not in classes with people who are as new to the school as you. Everyone your age probably already has their set groups, and it can be scary to walk up to five girls on campus and try to make friends. You don't quite have a feel for how things work at the school; it's like moving to another country. Picture Cady Heron at lunch on her first day.
6. To go Greek or to not go Greek?
Greek life is really popular at some schools, and not so much at others. And there are way more options than you'd think if you want to wear letters. Do you want to join a social sorority or fraternity, or pledge a business, service, or co-ed organization? They can all be intimidating, but just go with your gut. It could end up being the best decision of your life.
7. "So, did, like, living at home suck?"
It probably wasn't you wanted to be doing, no. But guess who saved a nice car's worth of money in a year or two?
8. You have a ton of clothes repping your old school that you can't wear now.
You'll get comments like "hey, wrong school!" Or something dumb like that. But screw the haters, wear those colors just as proudly as your new ones. There will always be a place in your heart for where you've been.
9. The Transfer 15 is a real thing.
It might even be 20. You had food figured out on your old campus, but now there's all new options. Campus dining may be better here, or what if the student center has the best pizza? Plus, there's definitely going to be a Krispy Kreme right next to a Bojangle's that's within walking distance from your last class on Fridays...
10. There's the possibility you'll graduate late.
This ties back into number four. Credits didn't transfer, or you have to take more/different gen ed classes... Whatever it is, it sucks.
11. You get to fall in love with a new place.
It's tough at first, but eventually you find your niche. You transferred here for a reason, right? You were meant to be here, so just relax and let yourself find out everything there is to love about your school.
