This is the time of year when students who just graduated high school are beginning their college career as freshmen. They are excited because they know they are about to spend four years of their life at this college on their own. They have the option to join a sorority/fraternity or participate in other clubs that are held throughout the year. This is all for the average college student who came in as a freshmen though.
Coming in as a transfer student is a little more difficult. For some students, they decided to get their basic classes out of the way at their community college. This helped them save money but also spare a little time before they had to make the big move to a University. Once these students finally get transferred to the University of their choice, then the process is a little more aggravating.
Typically transfer students are in their junior year of college. They have already been through the awkward freshmen year and have already done the annoying orientations. On the first day of move-in for a transfer student, most people treat them as a freshman who has never been to college. Unfortunately, no matter how many times you tell people you are a transfer student it still doesn't make a difference; you WILL get treated like a freshman.
Since you're being treated like a freshman, you also have to live in a dorm for at least 2 semesters, even though you're technically a junior. This isn't so bad, as long as you get the dorm of your choice. You'll move into your room and get things squared away and then all the fun events begin. During the Fall semester every freshman is required to participate in group events that will help them socialize and make new friends. Unfortunately, this means that you have to participate in the groups as well.
They don't have a different program for the transfer students. instead they include you with all the freshmen activities. So at this point, you just feel awkward because everyone is assuming you're graduating with them, but really you only have two years left instead of four.
So for the incoming transfer students who are starting out at their university this year, you aren't alone. It might get annoying that people will treat you like a freshman, but once you find some other people who transferred too, you'll have a bond that no one will understand. That bond will last a lifetime and you'll look back on your first year and remember the memories you made. Enjoy your next two years because before you know it, it will be over.
