Some people do not get the legendary feeling of, “This is where I need to be” when visiting colleges.

I was one of those people. I have learned that spending short periods of time visiting many colleges and focusing on the application process is not necessarily what will give one the special feeling of, “This is where I need to be.”

Rather, it is really only until one arrives and settles in that really gives one the opportunity to learn that they made the right decision about the place they will call home for 4 years or more. When a student settles in, sometimes they realize that the college they chose during the process does not really suit them or make them feel at home.

Suddenly the revelation occurs to the student that they need to do something about it and find a new place that will offer the fabulous comfort everyone wants in a college.

Truthfully, when does one ever know the right thing to do or the right place to go? As much as we all want to say that we are leaders, why do we commonly follow social stereotypes? We are bred to do it, no matter if we realize it or not and the only true lesson — especially as a teen — that we can give ourselves is experience.

Experiencing school life as a first semester college freshman and recognizing that I was not happy at my first college broke my heart. I took lengthy hours deciding where I should attend based on my major, what I thought I wanted location-wise and the size that I felt comfortable with after graduating my small high school.

I began thinking about transferring when I was in my third 200-person lecture class of the day in the middle of my first semester. I had gone to professors’ office hours multiple times and still, my professors did not remember my name. I left that class asking myself, “Can I really see myself here for four years?”, and when I answered, “No”, I immediately knew that I should not waste time at a place that will not offer me what I deserve for my pricey tuition bill.

To my fellow transfers out there, it takes real stamina to make such a big change in your life. I offer congratulations because maturity and respect is what can cause someone to make such a big change in their life. Transferring is not easy and experiencing it can only make you stronger.

I may be a unique case where I do not regret going to my previous college because I learned a lot about myself in those four months and made great friends. However, being a transfer is hard when you do not regret where you were in the first place, and can be conflicting because you are happy in what you can now happily call your new home, too.

For everyone else who fell in love with their college from the start, here’s what being a transfer is really like:

1. Knowing that you have a second chance and you want to not only take it, but also make the most of it.

2. Being worried about making new friends, so you always say yes to every event despite knowing that you have homework and need to study for a test and need to eat and sleep. Oh, did I mention sleep?

3. Feeling worried that you are not making enough friends, but then you realize it is still only the first week. Note: Knowing people coming in is a blessing in disguise. Even if they are older than you or you cannot see yourself being in the same friend group as them, it is always nice to know familiar faces and have them introduce you to their friends. There is no better feeling than being said "hello" to when walking around campus.

It is important to stay confident throughout the process because sometimes people that you think you will be best friends with in the beginning weeks of school are not the people you hang out with a month into the semester. Most importantly, it is key to always be thankful for the people out there who helped in the transferring process because without them, a transfer would have a lot harder of a time transitioning.

So, for all of you, whether you are a transfer or not, the above is what the experience is like. Do not lose confidence and always know that there are resources there to help in the transition because whether it feels like it or not, there are others out there feeling the exact same way that you are in the experience of finding home.