Dear Transfer Students,
Change is a good thing. Change, just like college, enables you grow as a student and individual. You might change schools for a variety of reasons, and there is nothing wrong with that. But, whatever the case may be, it will definitely be an adjustment.
As one transfer student to another, here is some advice to make your transition easier: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn. Even though you don’t want to admit it, essentially you have returned back to "freshman" mentality. It takes time to get used to a new campus, new faces and new opportunities. Transferring isn’t easy and you need to remember to be patient with yourself - it's all about the baby steps.
Even though at first it can be intimidating, this new change will expand your horizons. It will take patience, as the whole process can be overwhelming. You’ll be both excited and nervous because it's a new beginning. You have to make adjustments in your life. When in this situation, don’t worry about what other people are doing, just focus on yourself and have an open mind. Take the opportunity to get to know yourself. In order to grow, you not only have to be open to new opportunities, you need to have a good sense of yourself.
Get involved on campus - join a club, organization or try something new. It not only makes the campus seem smaller, but you will have more of an opportunity to meet people that have the same interests as you. It makes you feel like you are a part of something rather then just another face in a sea of people. It gives you purpose - on and off campus.
You might miss your friends from time to time, but just know that changing schools doesn’t mean you won't see them again. We live in an era where social media is a significant tool in our lives. You are never more then a FaceTime, text or skype call away. The world is a lot smaller than you think, and it’ll give you a place to visit on your school breaks. There will be times when you get homesick, but now with technology advancing, it's easier than ever to stay in contact with them even from across the country. Over time, you will get used to your new college or university - it'll be "home". Make the most of your time there and don’t hold yourself back.
I know you’ll be great!
Sincerely,
A Recent Transfer Student
