Trans·fer (verb) transˈfər,ˈtransfər/: change to another place, route, or means of transportation during a journey.

I don't know if it is just me, but being a transfer student takes me back to the days of freshman year: wandering the streets like a lost puppy, only eating Chick-fil-A fries and salads from the dining hall, and asking anyone who looks like they won't scowl at you for directions because you have no idea where you are or what you are doing with your life.

I have the rare and amazing opportunity to experience all of these things and more this year at Appalachian State. I am transferring from East Carolina University and let's just say that things will be different.

Don't get me wrong, I am beyond excited to make new friends, memories, and be in a new environment, but I am not ready to want to pull my hair out of my head when I get lost on the roads somewhere, which will happen because I always manage to get lost.

Like the definition above says, I will be changing places, routes, and means while on a journey (the journey that is life). I have always been familiar with Boone. My sister graduated fro APP last May, so my family has been up and down the mountain more than a few times. I know some streets and buildings, but not nearly as many as your local Boonie.

Luckily, I have already gone to transfer orientation, which was just a room and campus full of other students who had no idea what we were doing, but we were simultaneously trying to help one another out. I already made a few friends and got my classes figured out (don't even get me started on the lack of availability of classes when you come in after registration has happened). I am super excited to start the year at APP.

I will be living on campus in the APH, and for me, this is lucky. I will be able to get plugged in and have an easily accessible bus route. For the brave souls living in apartments, I wish you the best of luck. I would have no control over life and the way things worked. I'd slowly watch my life unravel like a loose stitch barely holding a t-shirt together.

But I am going off on a bit of a tangent. Back to what I was saying before, being a transfer student is just like being a freshman and here is what that is really like.

1. You have no clue where you're supposed to be.

2. You don't know why everyone hates you.

3. You think you're the bees-knees and all of the other people are the weird ones. RIGHT.

4. You are just super stoked to be on campus.

5. You think everyone around you has your best interest at heart... good luck.

6. You just want to "get involved" and make friends and you don't know where you fit in yet.

7. You are scared to be yourself and do things because you don't want to get judged.

8. You want to be like everyone else.

I am here to tell you not to worry (even though I worry a lot myself). Being a transfer student gets easier. You will soon no longer be a transfer student. Next year, you can help others so they aren't as lost and confused as you were. Just like you were as a freshman, you aren't any longer.

Time goes faster than you think and it doesn't slow down for anyone. Eat that bowl of ice cream, go ziplining, and buy some Chacos (or don't). HAVE FUN. BE YOURSELF. Remember, you can't get these days back.

I hope to see all my fellow transfers on campus in less than two months, and say hi to me please! I want friends.