When I left my cozy community college for the big city of Hattiesburg, I had several anxiety-inducing moments. I had built up this idea of what university life would be like, and I was shocked to find out that most things I had worried about rarely ever happened. Aside from the big transition, I have found that there are several things that all transfer students are likely to experience. If you are a transfer student, I am sure you know the struggle.

1. You move away and leave most of your friends behind.

This was hard for me as I moved almost 300 miles from home. I came to my university not knowing anyone, and that alone almost made me decide to go somewhere else. However, you will make brand new friends in no time! That girl in your PSY 360 class will end up your best friend by the end of the semester.

2. You will be asked over and over where you transferred from.

I understand that the intention is good, but after the third or fourth time of spouting off the name of your community college, you will wish you could just print an FAQ sheet out and hang it from your neck. For the most part, no one will know where that is, so it feels almost wasteful.

3. You'll get treated like a freshman

In many cases, you will get grouped into "newbie" things where you get college explained to you as though you have not been around the block a few times at this point. Just sigh and know that it comes from a good place, and this is also a great time to ask any questions that you may have without feeling dumb

4. "Transfer shock" is real, and it WILL happen to you.

Your grades probably will not be where you want them to be, you will almost definitely feel alone, and you absolutely will dread getting out of your dorm or apartment. Thankfully, these things are only temporary. You will find your grove and your people faster than you think. DO NOT think that you are impervious to it; you aren't. Accept it as part of the growing process!

5. University is NOTHING like your community college.

You will walk almost a mile to class, your classes will be bigger than you think, and most professors will not bother to learn your name. Sure, it is not as cozy as your community college, but this is a time for growth, not a time to bubble-wrap yourself.

6. You feel lost.

In the beginning, you won't exactly fit in with the new freshmen, but you also won't really fit in with the people that have spent their entire college career at the university. You will have questions, but you won't know where to go or who to ask. This is a great opportunity to get involved on campus through various groups or organizations. Your peers, you will find, are your greatest support system.

7. You discover who you really are.

As cliché as it might sound, when you get out on your own, you find your true self. This is the most important thing I have learned as a transfer student. I may not remember the exact lecture in that one psychology class, but I remember the growing pains in figuring myself out. I remember crying for hours because I didn't know what to do with my life. However, looking back now, I can see how I became the hero I always needed.

So, chin up, transfer student! You will make it just fine.