Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Student Life

Before You Transfer Schools, Here Are 6 Things To Keep In Mind

Transferring may be the option for you, but first read this to see if you still think so afterward.

Liv Turner

Oct 23, 2018

Illinois State University

1494

Instagram @livpturner

Picking the right school for college can be daunting. There are so many places to choose from and it can seem crazy to have to pick one place that you want to be for four years. It is extremely important to be happy where you are as well. However, college is a time for self-discovery and you may discover that the institution you picked feels like the wrong choice. If you think you'd be happier elsewhere, I'm not saying don't leave, but wait to start the transferring process until after considering the items below.

1. Consider what you will lose when you leave

There are a lot of little things you may not realize that you love about your school. You will lose the close access of your friends, where you live, your favorite hole in the walls, the organizations and sports, the fun Friday nights, and the quirky things about your school. Not every school is the same and you will lose certain things that you take for granted. Now, if you just read those last few sentences and were thinking, 'yeah nope, don't have those' then I would say it is time for you to leave.

2. Keep in mind your age

From my experience, transferring as an upperclassman is tough. There are less automatic ways to meet people. You will have to push yourself out of your comfort zone constantly especially if you don't know anyone or are more introverted. The sooner the better when it comes to transferring. It will be easier to make the second school your new home.

3. Not every school has the same gen eds

This was a big issue of mine when I transferred. I was one class away from being done with my general education requirements at the first school I was at, but the school I transferred didn't accept some of those classes. I ended up being told I still have four of these types of classes left. That may not sound like a lot, but that determined an entire extra semester of classes. My suggestion would be to have your associates finished (gen eds completed) before transferring if you can. If you transfer earlier, you are less likely to get off track since there are fewer classes to pick apart.

4. Keep track of the transfer deadline

If you have the feeling in the middle of the semester of wanting to transfer, you may have very limited options. Most four year schools require about an entire semester to accept you. The only option you may have are junior colleges which only offer 100 and 200 level courses. While that may work for some of you, others of you may not enjoy that discovery. Make sure you know when the deadline is.

5. Finances

This is a big one...literally. Paying for college is a big deal, so recognize how you are currently paying for school. Does the school you are at have a good payment plan? Are you on a scholarship? It will be a much easier transition if you know ahead of time how to pay for the new school.

6. Do your research

Know everything there is to know about the school you want to transfer to. Have a game plan on how to get involved, professors you should have, the resources you have, and the things that current students love (and hate) about that school. Not every school is perfect, but you'll want to make every opportunity count.

Transferring is not always a smooth process. However, the best way to be prepared for a new chapter is to plan. There are incredible memories waiting for you wherever you choose to go and you don't want to miss out on any of them.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

32352

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

96086

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

Before You Transfer Schools, Here Are 6 Things To Keep In Mind

Transferring may be the option for you, but first read this to see if you still think so afterward.

1. Consider what you will lose when you leave

2. Keep in mind your age

3. Not every school has the same gen eds

4. Keep track of the transfer deadline

5. Finances

6. Do your research

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Student Life

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter