I just transferred last semester from a small school with only 5,000 students to a school in another state with 30,000 students as a junior. As someone who graduated a year early from high school because I was so anxious to get out my hometown, this was the best decision I’ve made. I love everything about the school, and moving to a different was the perfect change of scenery I needed. Though it hasn’t been the easiest transition, and I’ve been challenged over and over throughout the process, I do not regret my decision at all. Transferring is not at the top of the list of easiest things to do, but I have grown and learned so much in the past few months, and I’ve never been happier. Here are some things to keep in mind before making the leap of transferring:
1. You have to put yourself out there.
It’s hard to make friends in a brand new place, especially as a junior in college. I know this seems like a “duh” factor, but it’s a lot easier said than done.
2. Not all credits transfer.
You might have to retake that lower level economics elective you already took, since the curriculum might be a little different. So before you decide to transfer, make sure an extra semester (or 2) won’t be too much!
3. Enjoy the little things.
Let’s be honest, when you graduate, what are you going to remember more? Those times with your friends, or that lecture you missed?
4. You'll grow up a lot.
I started to became more independent. My family was no longer two hours away, and I embarrassingly spent a lot of time crying after they left, but at the end of the day I put my head high in the air, and realized I could cry, or go make some friends and enjoy my new school. I found out who my real friends were… Who would to keep in touch and who would slowly fade away. It gave me the chance to see things from a new perspective, in a new place.
5. It upgrades your experiences.
Coming from a small liberal arts school into a huge state school, my opportunities became endless. Coming to a more recognizable and notable school upgraded my resume. Transferring because the school offered better classes for my major upgraded my education significantly. Spending my Saturday night at Neyland Stadium rather than sitting in a dorm room upgraded my weekends and college experience.
6. You get the chance to start over.
Transferring allows you to start over with a brand new GPA, new professors, and a new campus. You get to meet all new people and get settled in a fresh and new place. It gives you the opportunity to go to the school you maybe weren’t ready for straight out of high school. It’s the chance to start a clean slate.
7. It might get hard at times.
You might miss your old school where you had friends to get lunch with or who sat next to you in class. At a new school, especially a bigger school, you might feel alone in a crowded place. You can call your mom 30 times a day or introduce yourself to that girl you sit next to in your psychology class. You’re not alone, you just have to put yourself out there a lot more than you might be used to. Although it gets frustrating that you may have to retake some of the same classes, just remember through all the challenges why you transferred in the first place. Sometimes you’ll miss that familiar place, but putting yourself out there and taking advantage of new found opportunities will make the transition a lot easier.
8. The culture-shock helped me grow.
I didn’t leave my hometown until I turned 18. My first school was a small school in the same state and nothing felt different. There isn’t much to do in my hometown, and I was constantly anxious to get away. Moving from a small town in Virginia to Knoxville, Tennessee gave me the perfect opportunity to get away and the differences between the two places allow me to appreciate them for what they are so much more. Even though I don’t have a southern accent, and people make fun of how I say certain things, being in the heart of Tennessee was the perfect alternative to my small town in Virginia.
