You know you aren’t happy and the only reason why you’re staying is because you’ve finally found your people. Oh, and the guy you think you’re going to marry is also there, so you feel even more obligated to stay. Ultimately, you dread waking up to a utilitarian, unfriendly block of cement that represents the awful prison cell you often refer to your campus as. There’s also the extremely gross and slightly inedible food that makes you dry heave at just the smell. The school itself is huge and you feel intimidated just by walking outside. You feel like a number instead of a person. These are the signs. You aren’t happy, and it’s time to make a change. Ladies, it’s going to be tough, but, you can make the change. Here’s a girl’s guide to transferring colleges.
1. Own up to the fact that you aren’t at the school for the right reasons.
~ It’s time for a reality check, parties are at every school, you’ll always have access to one, don’t stay just because it’s fun.
~ The guy you plan on marrying, if he’s really the one, he will want you to do what’s best for you.
~ Your people are and always will be your people. Distance won’t change that!! People come into your life for a reason, and if they are the ladies you want standing next to you when you are conquering the world, or binging on Ben and Jerry’s after heartbreak, they want what you want. The Christina to your Meredith would want you to do what’s right for you.
~ If the school doesn’t have the major you feel most passionate about, you should look into other options. If you are going to be studying hard, you should be studying what you love!
2. What’s best for other people isn’t always what’s best for you.
~ Real talk ladies, you have to take a step back and understand that you have to be your true, authentic self. If you are in an environment that prevents you from being your amazing self, it’s unhealthy. You are incredible. Go somewhere you can feel your best.
~ Big schools and partying can feel tiring, draining and even lonely. The constant need to keep up in fear of being left behind is a vicious cycle. But, you have the power to stop it.
~ Feeling like you are just another name in a school filled with thousands of other students is lonely. Feeling lonely isn’t fun.
3. Making the change
~ Alright ladies. It’s time to take the first step. Tell your parents and friends how you’ve been feeling – maybe they saw it coming all along.
~ Now you are really panicking and wondering if you are making the right decision. Talk to your school’s academic advisor and tell him or her how you’ve been feeling, they will probably try to ask why and attempt to convince you otherwise. But ultimately, they will tell you what you need to do to transfer, how to begin the process.
~ Apply to schools that feel like a good fit for you!! There are so many virtual tours available on YouTube and even some college websites. Calling administrators from the schools you are most interested in will be super helpful as well. Remember, they want you to come to their school and be happy! They will give you all the information you need.
~ Get in touch with your high school guidance counselor. They will be able to help you with sending transcripts to various schools you are considering transferring to. Also, they can help you find other schools to apply to.
~ Visit other schools on the weekends or when you have free time. It’s important to go on tours and research the schools you are applying to because now you know what you do and don’t like about your current school, along with what you are seeking out in a new school.
4. Talking it out
~ It’s time to tell the crew that you are making the decision – it might be hard but they want what’s best for you. There will be tears shed but remind them that there will be many visits and many stories to share in the future.
5. Believing in yourself.
~ Now you have made your decision, you have decided to transfer! It is a long and tiring process, but you made it!
~ It’s ok and completely normal to be freaking out, it’s a huge change and change is scary…but oftentimes when things are at their worst we find a way to make ourselves laugh and through that journey, we learn so much about who we are.
~ It will be an adjustment and things don’t happen overnight. Be you and the rest will fall into place.
~ You can. Stop saying you can’t. No more negativity!! Be positive and hopeful, you got this!
6. You are where you are meant to be :)
~ You are here now!! You made it. You now have a brand new, clean slate to start fresh on! Be happy that you have this new opportunity to flourish and be the best version of yourself in a new, better environment.
~ Get involved and introduce yourself to new people. The more you self-advocate and join different extracurriculars, the more friends you will make.
Oh and just a little reminder… you are where you are meant to be.