I was a transfer student and it was one of the most nerve-racking experiences that I have had thus far in my life. I've written about this subject before, but as I welcome my orientation group comprised of all transfer students, I thought I would write about orientation from the perspective of a transfer student. So here is a list (with GIFs) that express how different orientation is as a transfer student.
1. You've gone through some sort of orientation before
Yes, you've done the whole orientation thing before, but there will be new material for a new college. You may ask yourself: How different can this orientation be from my freshmen orientation? The answer: very different.
2. You're not as excited as the incoming freshmen
They're enthusiastic and you're not. You just really want to know where everything is and the basics for this campus, but you're probably not going to be super loud while you figure everything out. Incoming freshmen are excited, which often leads to an increase of volume and energy. You've been warned.
3. You think some of the new students' questions are stupid
New students are nervous, but you've done it all before so you're probably over all of their questions.
4. You don't always know how to bond with the incoming freshman
You've already done the college thing for a year, so sometimes it's hard to relate to what they are going through. Incoming students and transfers are also dealing with two different experiences. You've already had to leave your parents once, but they may not have had to. And, let's be honest, some freshmen are slightly less mature than everyone else.
5. Your parents aren't looking forward to going through the whole process again
If you aren't the first college student in your family, your parents have probably already done the whole orientation thing with a sibling and now they have to do it all over again--with you. The parents meetings are pretty standard and get a little dry once you've had to sit through more than one.
6. You have to figure out a new campus
Even though you already did it a year or two before. It sucks, but you'll figure it out (especially with the help of orientation).
7. You might second guess your decision to transfer
Don't––you made the right choice! You decided to transfer for a reason, and, chances are, whatever influenced your decision to transfer hasn't changed. It may be unfamiliar now, but you'll soon get the hang of a new college.
As an Orientation Group Leader, and as a former transfer student, I definitely encourage any and all transfer students to attend their new college's orientation. It will be helpful and informative. Sure, there may be some overlap from your freshman orientation, but there will be information that you'll want to know that is gone over in orientation. It's also a great way to make new friends and maybe even find some fellow transfer students.
