When you choose a college your senior year, you go to that school with full intentions of staying. You want to start and end your new journey where you initially put your deposit down. You have friends that you have made at this new and exciting place, gotten involved in the community, and you feel as though this place has become a home to you. Well, sometimes life likes to throw curve balls at you. For an array of different reasons, students transfer schools all the time. Some don't like the distance of being away from home, while others just made the initial wrong choice, but that's okay! We are human and we all learn from the decisions we have made. Now, how do you start all over again at a new school and make this decision count?
I am no expert on this topic because I am currently going through it myself. I'm a freshman at High Point University and for a long list of reasons why I am transferring, I need to choose a new school to attend for the fall. This concept is terrifying! I finally have settled in and figured out how to enjoy my life at the school I attend now. I have friends that will last a lifetime, clubs that I genuinely look forward to going to, and a sense of familiarity. I have to redo all of that again just because I made the wrong initial choice.
I originally decided to transfer because I am switching majors. Actually, that's a lie. I was going to transfer last semester because I was home sick and then I decided to transfer this semester because of my major, the location, money, the school itself, and honestly the list goes on. I chose the wrong school the first time, but I am determined to not let that happen again. Now, how do I learn from my mistakes? Well, as I looked back on my decision process, there were some red flags that I seemed to ignore and I am determined to not make that mistake again.
1. Do not choose a school out of your price range
No matter how amazing that school may seem, you need to make sure that you can pay off that school at the end of those four years. I was so caught up about choosing a school that I liked, that I completely disregarded the dollar signs. Now seeing the debt I am in, I wish I reconsidered my decision.
2. The campus is very important but not the most important part of college
Of course we want to be comfortable where we are and everyone should choose a school they like, but that being said, don't choose a school just based off the looks of it. I go to High Point University and trust me when I say, this school is beautiful. It is ranked #1 dorms in the nation and we have a steakhouse on campus that is included in our meal plan. We also have four pools and hot tubs and other amazing amenities. That sounds awesome and when you see it, everyone would want to attend here, but the campus is not the only thing you are looking at you. College is about getting a degree and I think a lot people forget that.
3. If you have certain expectations while looking for a school, make sure you keep to that. You will regret losing out on some of those things.
When I was looking for schools, I kept saying I wanted a big school. Well HPU has 5,000 people and I feel as though I see the same people everyday. That is something I never wanted, but I fixed my expectations so I could come here. It is something that truly bothers me, that I do not have that big campus feeling since that was so important to me. If you want to join a sorority, join one! Find a school that has that as an option! You may regret not having the opportunity when you look back.
4. If you don't know what you want to do, make sure you choose a school that can be flexible
I was originally a communications major when I was applying to schools. I thought I had "found my calling" and I was so happy to look into the field. Well, as I was sitting through my communications and marketing classes, I realized I hated them. They were so boring to me, so I decided to change majors. I switched to biology. Now, that is a drastic change! It came out of nowhere, but I realized my passion was just not in business. Although HPU has bio, I decided I should go to a school that is more STEM oriented and that is what first pushed me to look into transferring.
5. Be open minded and accept the challenges that await you
College is scary and every year, new obstacles will be thrown your way. This year, I have to restart college again. I had to apply to schools (I applied to eight), choose a school (UVM!!!), and go through this process all over again. Now, I am scared. I am not going to lie about that, but I am excited. I know there will be ups and downs to this new year but I need to be open minded. I need to take on this new chapter of my life with open arms and have my freshmen year be a learning curve for me.
I am beyond grateful to have attended HPU for a year, but it is now my time to move on. Life is tricky, but we are all strong and we can conquer all of the obstacles we are faced with.
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