You have finally made the decision to transfer universities. Despite what you may be feeling, transferring schools is a common and normal thing that many students find themselves doing, whether they like it or not. Ultimately, the goal of transferring is to improve your college experience and put yourself in the best place possible for success. You may know this, but you still doubt yourself. It seems that there’s an ocean of challenges ahead of you, like starting over, making friends, and getting involved on campus all while maintaining good grades. Plus, all of this is made 10 times more difficult because you are getting a late start. The odds seem to be stacked against you.

But you are completely wrong.

The exact opposite is true and your experiences have helped you in more ways than you realize. Although it may not feel like it now, being a transfer student is a real advantage.

You know how college works. You know lecture hall etiquette, you know how important it is to communicate with professors and to go to office hours, and you learned study habits that will definitely take the edge off starting your first semester at a new college. After all, we are all here for one thing: to get a degree. And while classes are always going to be stressful, having a good idea of what you’re walking into on the first day takes just a little strain off as you adjust.

You're learning who you are. While this differs from person to person, there is no doubt that you have grown some in your first year of college, no matter how bad it may have been. You have been exposed to the different personalities, backgrounds, and interests of your first-year classmates, and have come out of it more well-rounded and open to new things whether you realize it or not.

You have a better idea of what you want to do in life. Or, maybe you figured out that the path you were previously on is one you need to reevaluate. Either way, you’re starting on the first day knowing that graduation and the “real world” is getting closer, and everything is a lot more real now. You know its time to start getting serious. No sophomore slumps for you!

You are more confident in yourself. Of course, it's normal to doubt yourself at least a little when making big decisions like this one. But you still made it, knowing all the struggles you may face in the beginning. You know you can handle it and come out on top.

Finally, you are stronger. You made an extremely difficult decision. You made all the phone calls, sent all the transcripts, and filled out all the paperwork. You did this because you wanted better for yourself, and you have the right mindset to find what better is. You have everything you need to have a great first year inside of you – start it off right!