You are halfway through your first semester of college and something does not feel right. Your family and friends are miles away, the workload in your classes is seemingly unmanageable and you are beginning to feel that you simply do not belong. After searching through countless articles on adjusting to your new environment, you have come across an entirely new alternative: transferring schools. While the decision to start over yet again may terrify you at first, as a student who transferred universities as an upperclassmen, my only regret is that I had not done it sooner. Here are a few tips from my own experience that you may want to take note of:
- Do your research: Do not shut out the thoughts of leaving. Instead, take a step back and begin to weigh the pros and cons of your potential move by reflecting on your experience thus far. Does this confusion stem from second-guessing your current school or being generally unfamiliar with the world of college itself? If you find that the negative energy lies within your particular college, trust your instincts and begin researching what other schools may provide, whether it be a bigger social scene or better networking opportunities for your major.
- The college road trip: There is no shame in visiting open houses while attending elsewhere. Explain to your tour guide what areas you were dissatisfied with at your former campus and make judgments based on what is offered at the new school. During your visits, speak directly to professors in your department. If you become seriously interested in a school, getting to know faculty members before the switch will help make up for any lost time. Make a great first impression and they will be sure to remember your name once you are officially enrolled in classes!
- Get busy: Regardless if you are still debating on transferring out, contact the admissions office of your current school and ask for copies of your transcript as well as any other important documents that you may need down the line. Having these papers available beforehand saves you both time and stress as it may take a while for the request to be processed and sent to you. Feeling anxious? Don’t fret- receiving your transcript does NOT mean that you will be leaving any time soon. If you are still unsure about your decision, have the document sent to your own address rather than other schools. You can either mail the sealed envelope on your own or bring it to the school in person when meeting an employee from the admissions office.
- Making the decision: Once you have been accepted, do not base your final choice on the opinions of anyone aside from yourself and your family (if they choose to fund your education). Significant others, friends and even strangers may weigh in their own thoughts on the situation, especially if it means leaving them behind. It is important to remember that great friends should always want to see their loved ones succeed, even if it means making a choice that will potentially alter your relationship. While the pressure may seem unbearable, the decision is ultimately your own. Do what is in your own best interest.
- Get involved: It’s been said time and time again; however, taking part in clubs and events on campus is truly the best way to make friends at your new school. As a transfer in my junior year of college, I was worried about meeting like-minded people, afraid of being lost in the crowd of my seemingly large university. Joining clubs in my first semester gave me the opportunity to connect with others far more easily than through my classes.
If you feel you may want to transfer colleges, do NOT make the decision to “stick it out.” Like myself, you will find that facing your fears will point you in the right direction in fulfilling your potential. Happy transferring!