It's a little over midway through February, and I've officially been a student at West Chester University for a Month. Yes, I am living that mid-year transfer student life as a Sophomore working on the 4th semester of college. Now, why did I transfer you might ask? Well, that could take a LOT of explaining and strongly worded sentences that I don't think are appropriate to be read...But let's just say this, my old school, Shippensburg University, just was not the place for me.

So why am I feeling these signs of regret when it comes to transferring? Well, that's easy; I regret transferring because I should have picked this school in the first place! I regret that I didn't put more effort into the whole college decision process that everyone goes through in high school. I wish that I had decided to come to West Chester University in the first place, and not 3 semesters in.

What did I do wrong? Well, if I could give anyone advice about college, it would be to take the time to really think about all of your options and go visit and talk to people! For the first half of senior year in high school, I had it all planned out that I would take some gen. ed. classes at my community college and then after the 2016/2017 school year I would transfer to a 4-year college. I was so confident in this decision until I started to see all of my friends applying to colleges and get acceptance letters and make decisions on where to go. Of course like any teenager, the FOMO set in and I immediately started the process of applying to 4-year colleges that January.

Granted, I really had limited options in the sense that I had yet to take my SAT's and that application deadlines were quickly approaching. So I did the best I could and signed up to take my SAT's the soonest date possible. My best friend was telling me about the college that she choose and I instantly looked into it and fell in love. At this point, I was so happy and confident, but I was not doing what I should have been doing.

What was my issue? I found one college and applied to it. I should have looked at more schools and tried to figure out which would be the best fit for me before committing to the place I wanted to go.

So as soon as my acceptance letter came in the mail, I was already completing the next steps to enroll and become a student at the university. I was happy and so excited that I would be going off to college in the fall just like all of my friends were too!

While yes, I was very happy at this previous university at first, quickly I became unsure about my decision. My first semester at Shippensburg was incredible though, don't get me wrong! I made amazing friends and bonds that I know will last forever! That was the saddest part for me in leaving because I didn't want to lose these people that I grew so close to. But deep down I knew I couldn't stay somewhere that didn't make me happy, just for the friends.

I realized my second semester as a freshman that I chose the wrong school. I felt that I was in a location that I couldn't mesh with. I found that a lot of the things I took interest in were not as common. There was a lack of clubs and other activities that I felt I would enjoy. My classes weren't exactly everything that I wanted to get out of my experience as a college student. After debating it all that spring semester, I decided to give the school one more semester as a hail marry that would mean I'd find some way to fall back in love with the school of my dreams...or so I thought at one time.

This past fall semester was my last hope that something would click back into place and I would feel at home again. But as hard as I tried, nothing happened. I just wasn't happy at all anymore. I found myself going home almost every weekend because I felt comfort at home and knew that was somewhere I belonged. Fall break began approaching and I realized it was time to apply to new colleges that I could transfer to. So, I began the process all over again of filling out applications and sending in transcripts, it hopes that I could get into a new school.

It was the day that I needed to drive back to Shippensburg because fall break was ending when I received my acceptance letter to the college I had prayed on getting in to. I wanted this to be my new home. And I couldn't have been happier when I got that note saying that I was accepted into West Chester University! I was bouncing off the walls with happiness! I had finally felt hopeful and joy in the fact that I may finally find the college that is meant for me!

Now West Chester University was my number one choice because I had visited it once to see a friend, and another time to tour and I instantly fell in love. The campus was in an actual town, and there were so many school activities and clubs for me to choose from! I was so excited because this really felt like the place for me, and boy was I right!

While looking back, yes, I do regret transferring to this college but not for the reason that most people would think. I regret transferring because I should have picked this university from the start! I wish I didn't have to go through all of the up's and down's that came with my old university. I spent so much time feeling sad and alone as I cried to my parents, wishing I could snap my fingers and make things better. I wish I could take those 3 semesters and have experienced them at West Chester University, but I am here now. I am so thankful to be here and becoming a Ram was the best decision I could have ever made!