Dear Transfer,
By this time, you are either considering transferring, have made a decision to transfer in the fall, or are transferring this upcoming semester. You are probably filled with a mix of emotions -- fear, sadness, excitement, relief, etc. While all of these are perfectly normal, transferring can be a very overwhelming concept, but you will make it through.
First and foremost, transferring does not mean you are a failure. People transfer for all sorts of reasons, whether it be size, major, finances, or another reason, and all are okay. If anyone ever tries to make you feel badly about transferring, they are wrong. You are allowed to take your happiness into your own hands, and make the decision to switch schools.
The concept of transferring is often overlooked. Most people assume the college they choose to attend freshman year is where they will graduate. However, this isn't always the case, and transferring is more common than you think.
When going through the transfer process, you will reach the horrible moment when you realize not all of your credits will transfer to your new school. Do not be afraid to fight this. If you feel you shouldn't have to retake that course, work to make sure you don't have to. If you have to retake it anyway, it's OK, it happens to almost everyone.
Classes will be different. You will have to get used to a new learning style, but with a little effort, you will adapt. At times, you will feel like you didn't make the right choice, but the past is the past, and all you can do is try to make the most of your new journey that you are embarking on. Making friends may not always be easy, but you will find your group and it will all fall into place.
It's OK to miss your old school. It is perfectly OK to miss the friends you had from your old school. It is even OK to visit those friends at your old school. If anyone makes you feel funny about this, then clearly they're not someone you should be around.
I understand how hard it is in the beginning. Everything is new, and you feel yourself missing the comfort you would have had, had you stayed at your old university. You may feel pressure to make it seem like you're having the best time ever, that you don't feel alone at times, or that you don't wonder if you made the right choice. These feelings are OK, but no one will judge you if you don't post a Snapchat or Instagram every single weekend.
The process of transferring will be scary, exciting, sad, but wonderful. You are not a failure, you are quite the opposite for being able to decide that you want to change something, in order to achieve ultimate success. At times it will be difficult, and you will often feel stressed out. But you're not alone, and it will be OK. Although it may seem difficult at times, you are making the right choice.
Good luck on this new adventure that you are about to explore.
Love,
A Fellow Transfer
