I knew transferring schools wasn't going to be easy.
As a freshman, I was like everyone else, scared but mostly excited about going off to college. My first choice school, my dream school, was the school I was headed off too. Loyola University Chicago was a mere 40 minutes away from my home town and where I grew up, so I wasn't really going anywhere far. There were many weekend trips home, and many amazing memories made. However- there was something missing. Most students fall in-love with their school of choice right away and know that it's where they want to be for the next four years of their lives. I did not.
Most people don't know what happens to your life when you're a transfer student, and most transfers wont tell you. So what do people not tell you about being a transfer student?
Its pretty much like being a freshman all over again.
Unless you transfer to a school that you already know people at, you're not going to know anyone on campus. Be sure to get involved with as many clubs and activities that you can and make friends! You're not going to know where anything is, so you're going to have to figure that out fast. Mostly learn where all the good restaurants and grocery stores are, then worry about public transportation! It took me a few months to finally get the hang of Chicago's CTA train and bus system, and I'm in the process of learning Columbus's COTA.
You're going to question if you made the right decision to transfer for the first two months.
Trust me, it's going to happen. A LOT. There's no reasoning behind it, it just happens.
Not all of your credits will transfer, so you might fall behind.
Fight for those transfer credits! They're important, if the academic office wont give you a specific reason as to why you wont be receiving your credit hours, keep pursuing them because eventually they'll just give in to you.To say that you might be a little stressed out is an incredible understatement.
You might loose all your academic scholarships too, and it also sucks.
Most public schools will not give transfer students any kind of academic scholarships, thus you end up paying full price if you're out of state. IT SUCKS. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't apply for department specific scholarships and outside source scholarships.
You WILL miss the school you left, and the friends that you made at your old school.
Everyday I miss studying by the lake, exploring Chicago, and most importantly the few amazing friends that I did make at Loyola. When I was in the process of applying and transferring schools, I thought I would NEVER think or miss Loyola once I left. But that proves to be untrue. Because I do miss my Maroon and Gold.
You'll get asked, "Why did you transfer?" a lot.
Many people ask me why I transferred to The Ohio State University, and many people get different responses. But I really transferred because I wasn't happy. But each transfer student has their own reason on why they transferred, and its usually for the better. I do miss my friends and memories that I left in Chicago, but I love the new friends and memories that I made here.
Transferring from Loyola University Chicago to The Ohio State University has been one of the most challenging, but most rewarding, decision that I have made in my life so far. Although there are many days where I miss the friends that I made, Chicago, and home, there are more days that outnumber those where I realize how blessed I am to have the life that I have now in Columbus. I may not be 40 minutes from home anymore, but I am SO proud to be a Buckeye.
