For many students, transferring to a new school can be very scary. Between the new teachers, new peers, and new scenery, it is hard to imagine what it will be like, especially with all of the nervous thoughts running through your head! For junior Alex Renalds, the thought of transferring to JMU in the Fall of 2011 was an exciting one, but like any other college girl, she had her worries, too.
Alex is originally from Northern Virginia, where she completed her Associates Degree in Social Sciences at Northern Virginia Community College. She came to JMU in the fall, majoring in psychology, with a minor in anthropology. When asked why she decided to come to JMU, she said that she always loved it when she came to visit with friends. She also liked JMU’s psychology program, and the amazing campus food didn’t hurt either!
Before starting school, she was nervous that it would be hard to make friends coming in as a junior transfer student, and she was also nervous about the workload. After starting her semester off, she said that everything she was nervous about originally was a challenge, but she was able to get used to it in no time. One of the best parts about being at a new school for Alex was the change of scenery from Northern Virginia to Harrisonburg.
As the semester is quickly coming to a close, Alex can now look back on her semester and officially say that she loved it here. Although there were some challenges to face, they quickly dissolved after she got involved and got used to her classes. She wishes that she got out of her “summer mode” sooner, but she explains that she was so excited to be a part of the JMU community, that sometimes she forgot that the real reason she was here was for school. She plans to graduate from JMU with her degree in psychology, and then go to graduate school.
Her advice for future transfer students? To get involved as soon as you can, because you make so many amazing friends by doing so. There are so many great opportunities to meet people at JMU, and they will truly enrich your time here.