This past year, I transferred from my community college to a four-year school. I do not regret choosing to go to a community college first. I would not change anything I have done in regards to my schooling and education. However, transferring schools can be a difficult process. And for me, it was a harder process than I ever realized it would be. It was a more difficult process than I admitted to anyone.

I was so excited to transfer to a four-year school. It was something I had been waiting for the past few years. I was so certain that my roommate and I would be best friends. I was counting on being outgoing and getting to know as many people as I could. But nothing happened in the way that I had hoped and planned for. Yes, my roommate and I became friends, but not best friend. Yes, I know many people here, but many of them are just acquaintances. The process of transferring my classes and credits to a different school was the easy part. My admissions counselors made it very easy for me to transfer my classes, and it was a smooth transition. The social part of transferring: not so much.

I am a quieter person and an introvert at heart. It can be a difficult process for me to meet people and for others to get to know me. I was not as outgoing as I originally thought and hoped I would be. I was also coming in as a junior. This was also difficult because many of the upperclassmen already knew each other and I did not. Many people I met automatically assumed that I was a freshman. I do not blame them for thinking that. But it did make me feel out of place. And I felt out of place most of my first semester at my new school. I was not a freshman, so I was not part of that new freshman crowd. But I also did not know any of the people in my grade. It was tough trying to find my niche and feeling that I actually belonged.

In addition to the social aspect, transferring schools meant that I had to catch up on some of my classes. I came in as a junior social work major. But I was required to take the sophomore social work classes in order to catch up in the program. The whole time I have been at the school, I have felt very overwhelmed with social work classes. I have heard the same content explained over and over again. I have felt bombarded by the stress that has come with taking so many classes in my major. Especially in my second semester at my school, I have had a desire to take a class that has nothing to do with my major just to get a break from everything I have been learning currently.

It took me about 8 weeks into my first semester until I felt like I was starting to find my place at the new school. But it was still a slow and difficult process at that point. By the end of my first semester, I had made some really good friends. This second semester has been better, but not perfect. I have been established in a friend group. However, there are still days when I feel out of place and that I do not belong. People still assume that I am a freshman. My classes and the content I learn is very overwhelming. However, I would not change anything I have done.

Transferring schools might be an easier process for some people than others. For me, it was a harder process. I have spent many nights feeling lonely and out of place. I have spent many nights crying and wondering if anyone truly cares and wants to be my friend. I have to keep reminding myself that they do care. And I have to keep reminding myself that while transferring was hard and I am here for a little while, the time I spend at this school is short and finite. I will make the friends I make. I will do my best in my classes and graduate next spring. And I will also be a resource for other transfer students to come to because I can understand how difficult it really can be. However, no matter how hard the process was, it was also worth it in the end.