In college, there are so many hoops you have to jump through just to maintain everything. When it becomes impossible to jump through these hoops, don't be too scared to transfer. But when you do...

...It's not going to always be easy.

In high school, they make it sound so simple. "Well, if you don't like it, you can just transfer!" I call these famous last words. When you fill out college applications in high school, there are counselors, teachers, and parents all looking over your shoulder to edit and make sure you don't miss deadlines. But, when you have so many other things to do in college, like maintain grades, go to social events, etc., it can be easy to miss those deadlines. Not as many people are there to help you. I remember sitting in my dorm room asking my roommate questions about my transfer applications. My main resource was my parents. They lived an hour away from campus. Basically, I was lucky enough to have my parents to coach me over the phone. But not everyone has this luxury. My academic advisor was also an option, but he wasn't as openly available to me as my resources in high school.

...There will always be people who will try to talk you out of it.

This is true in most scenarios where you take the road less traveled. So many people asked me, "But are you sure? You're really sure?" Obviously, I thought long and hard before I filled out that application. My old school was wonderful, but not for me. I could see why people would like it, but I just wasn't one of those people. Transferring was probably the best decision I've ever made. A lot of people thought I was crazy. I mean, I was only at my old university for one semester. But to be quite frank, if I stayed there another semester, I would have definitely dropped out.

At first I thought, maybe college just isn't for me. Maybe it's just not my scene. But it wasn't college. It was my school. Sometimes it can be really hard to tell the difference, but I knew I had made the right decision the minute I received that acceptance letter.

...The first couple of weeks at your new school are going to be hard.It

You're going to be starting over somewhere new. Your professors might be a lot different than those at your old school. There might be a completely different grading scale. Also, making friends might be difficult because a lot of people will have their group of friends already. You're going to have to really try to create those friendships early in the semester. Try to make study groups in your classes. Join some clubs. Go Greek! Make random conversations with people in the freakin' lunch line! A lot of times it's going to feel awkward and forced, but I promise you, in a couple of weeks time, it's all going to be worth it. Later down the line you're going to be so glad that you talked about the weather with that random chick in the lunch line

...You're going to have the time of your life.

My new school is such a better fit for me. I joined a sorority (ΔZLAM!!!), made a ton of friends, and feel so comfortable now. There are always going to be obstacles at any school you go to, but fighting to overcome those obstacles will be so worth it. Filling out that application was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Though it turns out the UMW Eagle life wasn't a good fit for me, being a Monarch at ODU is the greatest feeling. GO MONARCHS!!!!!