Transferring colleges was never part of my plan.
I started out at a small southern school a whole state away. By the end of my freshmen year, I knew in my gut that I wasn’t happy there. I toughed out what seemed like the longest semester of my life. Then, I hit my breaking point, sitting on my dorm floor on Halloween with a bowl of half-eaten Cheeto-Puffs and a Sonic drink while scrolling through school applications.
At this point, I knew I wanted the complete opposite experience of my school and a campus a little closer to home. I had always loved TCU and knew that they had the top nursing program in the state. So while all the other girls in my dorm that night went out in their cute Halloween costumes and talked about their upcoming fall break plans, I hit submit on my application to TCU, not knowing what to expect. Six weeks later I was accepted at TCU to start spring of 2018.
I was terrified and had a million questions in my head. When I got to TCU, I felt overwhelmed and at a loss of where to start. I wasn’t a traditional freshman, and I hadn’t known anyone already attending. Perhaps you resonate with this or maybe even came to TCU after going to a community college first. Regardless of your story and how you came here, transferring takes courage. With a little help, you’ll find your fit here as a TCU student in no time! With that being said, here are the top five things I wish someone told me before transferring here.
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Don’t be afraid of random roommates. Stop reading the horror stories; random roommates can be some of the best ways to meet new people at TCU. Maybe they won’t become your besties, but, at the very least, they will be a great source for you to learn all things TCU and get the inside scoop on how it all works. Heck, I met my current best friend through a random roommate assignment.
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Do your own advising. TCU is great at a lot of things. Advising transfer students falls a little lower on that list. Do your own research and ask around for good classes. It is essential you know your own degree plan. Know what transfers and what doesn’t and make sure to get everything they say will carry over in writing. The best way to ensure you stay on track is to know the information for yourself.
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Use your resources and talk to your professors. TCU has a million resources. Don’t be afraid to use the transfer center and the counseling center. Your professors are one of your biggest resources. Talk to them and tell them your new to TCU. Their advice may be the thing that helps you pass the class.
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Try something new. This is a new start. If that means you want to be exactly who you were and do the same things you did at your old school, then do that. However, if that means you want to try something new, then I encourage you to go for it. Pick up a rock climbing class, go to a new club, apply for a position you have always wanted. I would not be half of who I am today if I didn’t try new things when I transferred here.
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Your experience is uniquely you. If I could only tell you one thing, it’s this right here. You are supposed to be here. You are not any less worthy, smart, or deserving because your path looks different. You do not hold a big sign over your head saying I transferred here. At the end of your time here, your diploma will say Texas Christian University just like the girl sitting next to you that came here on a more traditional track. Don’t let any negative stigmas tear you down, and remember why you transferred.