Dear College Transfer Student,

Welcome to the most fantastic years of your life! It's time to find yourself and make new friends and memories in an atmosphere free of judgment. Our primary purpose for the next four years is to obtain a degree, but we should be enjoying this time with others too. Whether you are in your first semester of college or completing the end of your sophomore year, there are a handful of students that might be in your position of not feeling a part of the campus. I've been in your position before and I'm here to explain my choices for transferring when I was a sophomore.

For starters, if you're still in high school, make the most of your senior year. This is a year you will never get back. It's a part of your life where you have no obligations to anything besides your extracurriculars and academics. Once you step outside of the doors at graduation, a new chapter will begin. If you spend all your days concerned about the next few years, you are going to miss out on some exciting moments. I am a culprit of worrying about future plans. A quick tip: focus on the moment you're currently in, especially the people involved in it. You will not regret it, believe me!

We spend our entire senior year debating where to spend our college years. Endless tours, applications, and waiting for acceptance can be super stressful. If you come to find out that the place you chose for college isn't your fit, it's ok! Many people will tell you otherwise and try to change your decision. You might even find it difficult to make a conclusion in all the negativity. At the end of the day, remember, it's your decision to attend another college. Here are my top three reasons for choosing another university:

College atmosphere.

I attended a university primarily located in the city. As a commuter, traffic became the beast to conquer when trying to arrive on time to classes. Becoming involved proved difficult when you were unable to make definite plans or make it there promptly. If you want to be active on your campus, you could find alternatives to joining or find another campus that better fits your needs. I decided that a college in a country setting fit my abilities to join activities and easily make it to campus for courses. Look around for a place that you feel will enable you to get involved in things of interest.

Community.

What draws a typical 18-to-22-year-old to a college campus? Some answers include friends, parties, academics, sports, etc. A big word not usually mentioned would be "acceptance." All of us want to feel included in a college campus, whether that be through sports or clubs. I attended a branch campus for my first year and a half of college primarily to save money and complete general education courses in a smaller classroom setting. Although the benefits of fewer expenses were appealing, I lacked in social connections and being able to join any organizations. I made a few close friends that made my sophomore fall semester bearable, but I knew this university wasn't the fit for me. However, remember to keep those friends close when you decide to switch universities. By deciding to attend another campus, I made the best of both communities. I joined several organizations of interest and began reconnecting with many high school best friends. You can find people that accept you from many places, but make sure you are happy in the end.

Safety.

For a child of overprotective parents, constantly hearing concerns about your safety can become overwhelming. You want to enjoy your college years, but having parents worried about where you are can create a barrier. Some students learn to ignore these constant concerns while others are unable to block them out. Finding a place where your parents know you can excel while you can also become independent will be practical for all of you. When deciding to switch universities, look for a place that might be located in a better area. Believe me, when your parents are on board with your decisions for college there is nothing stopping you from doing your own thing for those years!

Flash forward to the present, I am going to be a junior at one of the most gorgeous campuses in the state of Ohio. I've become involved in several organizations while focusing on my future degree. I feel accepted by the old and new friends that I spend my time with. Also, my parents are interested in my daily activities and the events being held on campus. It's possible for you to obtain these goals as well. Whether you may be considering transferring or looking into your options for attending college, make a decision that benefits you! When you walk across the stage at graduation in four years, what do you want to remember? Have fun, stay safe, and make college worth it!

Sincerely,

A College Transfer Student