To all incoming transfer students,
I could go on and on about the transfer process, becoming acclimated to a new college environment, etcetera, etcetera, but I'll keep this fairly short. First of all, I'd like to say congratulations! No matter what your reasons are for transferring, it's a big deal that your previous grades and academic history were strong enough for you to be accepted at another institution. I also congratulate you on having the courage to make the transition.
I know you may not feel courageous now, though. I myself was a sophomore transfer last fall. I understand that the idea of starting over at a new school can be daunting, especially if you are like me and took the risk of going somewhere where you do not know a single soul. Do not worry, though; you will soon.
My biggest piece of advice to you as you're about to start your first semester at a new school is to take risks and put yourself out there. Get out of your comfort zone when you feel like retreating into it the most. The more effort you put into the transition, the more you will get out of it. I know it can be scary to reach out to people and to join clubs alone. You may feel awkward at times too. But keep trying. Get involved in things. Stay out of your room as much as possible and walk around campus instead. Ask that person down the hall to hang out sometime, even if it's just a conversation over a quick dinner. Although you may feel uncomfortable doing these things at first, you will feel even worse if you lock yourself in your room all of fall semester. Aim to spend the majority of your day being around people. Trust me, you'll meet friends in the most surprising of places and situations. Even if you don't like someone enough to be lifelong friends with them, accept their invitation to do something, because you may just meet your future best friend while you're there. That's how I met three of my closest friends last year.
Despite how much you try to get involved and meet people though, you still may feel alone sometimes. I'm not going to lie to you. Transferring is not always rainbows and butterflies and happy faces every day. You will have some days when you're feeling low. But that's okay. It's okay to call your parents one night, sobbing about how lost and lonely you feel. As long as you don't let yourself do that every night, I promise it will get better. Be outgoing and adventurous (while still being yourself obviously, always be yourself), and I promise you will start to experience those sad nights less and less.
Lastly, if you're going into your first week of classes scared and nervous as hell, just know you're not alone. Thousands of college students transfer every year. I did it. Some of my closest friends did it. Others did it. You can do it. When you look back on this time a few months from now, your whole world will have changed. But in a good way.
I sincerely wish all you transfer students good luck. But I also have faith you will all be more than fine.
With best regards,
A Fellow Transfer Student
