As the third week of this school year is winding down, I have taken time to reflect on my experience at my new school. I came from a place where I was very unhappy and very lonely, and now—finally— I found the school that couldn't be more perfect for me and where I have found my true happiness.
Transferring was a scary process, and as I wrote about that process in a previous article of mine, I did not know what it would be like once I actually got to my new school. But now, three weeks later, I am here to tell you I made the best decision I have ever made.
Obviously starting over was scary and I was prepared to be scared and even a little lonely for a few days or even weeks, but because of my excitement to be at my new school, I never felt lonely because I put myself out there and have already made some amazing friends. I learned from my previous mistakes, that not being social and not putting myself out there really can effect your social life.
On top of already having a better social life here, I am loving my classes. Coming from a school where I was in multiple 300 person lectures, to every class being less than 25 people has been an incredible experience. For me, getting that hands-on attention from professors, and getting to actually speak up in class has already helped me become a better student. I am being academically challenged for sure, but I am appreciating this challenge and taking it as a good thing. I am getting more and more excited about what I am learning and trying to find that path that will lead to a greater future for me.
It is very important that at whatever college one attends, they are in the right environment with the type of people they want in it and the type of campus they are looking for. With that comes a sense of happiness and the feeling of community everyone needs in the scary times of college. You want to be able to take part in things going on on campus, and a large part of this has to do with the atmosphere one feels.
I didn't join any clubs at my old school, partly because I didn't have the motivation to join anything and party because I was so scared. But, this year, even though I was scared to do it all, I went to that club fair and put my name down for more things than I could possibly ever join. By just putting my names down I felt apart of something, but I found the things I am most interested in and have successfully joined those. I even have decided to rush a sorority, which is something I never imagined myself doing.
I guess the most important point I am trying to make from all of this is, that even though transferring is a terrifying process, and it is starting over again, learning from your mistakes will make it easier. I did the complete opposite of everything I did last year, and I am sitting here, at my new school, happier than I knew I could be going to a school, and I am so thankful I made that scary decision.
