As most of you know, starting a new school can feel overwhelming. When transferring colleges, you have already established friendships and daily routines at your old school. When I started at the University of Connecticut, I realized that while it was an exciting feeling, it was also challenging. There were many times I felt lonely and out of place, and moments when I questioned if I should have even transferred here. Looking back at all of those terrifying times, I have learned a lot about what makes the experience easier and more comforting. Every transfer student will have a different experience, but there are many things I wish people had told me sooner. Here are four tips I would give to any new student transferring to UConn.Â
Get InvolvedÂ
Getting involved allows you to feel connected to the campus itself. When you find a routine and see familiar faces, the school feels less intimidating than you thought it would be. Even when something feels scary at first, it’s always worth trying because you never know what could happen. You could meet your best friends by simply joining a club or organization.Â
When I first started at UConn, I had this mindset that everyone around me had already made connections and friend groups, and that there were no more people to become friends with. That is not true at all. One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a transfer student is waiting too long to get involved. At the beginning of each semester here at UConn, there is an involvement fair to show everything that UConn offers, such as clubs, student organizations, sports, volunteer opportunities, and campus events. If you are someone like me who is too scared to go to anything on campus alone, don’t be. The assumption that everyone is watching you is not true here at UConn because everyone is so busy doing their own thing. At first, I was so scared to go to this involvement fair and look for a club I could join, but once I got there, I realized everyone is so much more welcoming and friendly than they appear, and a lot of them are also searching for new friendships.Â
Don’t Compare Yourself to Other Students
When starting at a new school, it’s very easy to compare yourself to other students around campus. This could be anything from what they are wearing, how they are doing academically, or even their campus status. One of the first things I thought when starting at UConn was that I should join a sorority because I felt that was what most of the girls here did. My number one tip if you are starting here is to not feel like you need to join a sorority just because other people are. Sororities are not for everyone, and there are so many ways to get involved on campus that are not just being in a sorority. You may notice some students already know campus traditions or seem comfortable navigating the college life, but you have to remind yourself that everyone’s experiences are different.
Another common mistake transfer students tend to make is thinking they are academically behind other students who have been here longer. When I first came here, I had to remind myself that everyone takes a different path to get to where they are. Nobody is ever behind anyone because we all go at a different pace that is more comfortable to us. Some people transfer from community colleges or different universities, and some have taken some time off before coming back to school. Because of that, comparing yourself to students who started at UConn as freshmen does not make sense. Instead of focusing on others’ progress, focus on your timeline.Â
Be Present on CampusÂ
This is specifically for transfer students who live off campus their first year at UConn. As someone who lives in an apartment off campus, looking back at my first year at college, I wish I had spent more time on campus. These past couple of semesters, I spent most of my time studying and working on assignments back at home. Now that it’s the end of the semester, I wish I had enjoyed UConn’s beautiful campus more. There are so many unique spots to study here at UConn, whether it is outside or in the library. I also wish I had taken advantage of the UConn Recreation Center or even taken some classes, such as yoga or Pilates. If you are transferring to UConn next year, take every opportunity you get to enjoy the campus because time goes by so fast. This campus has so much to offer, and even when I am on campus, I always experience something new. Â
Be Open to New Experiences
One thing I will highly recommend when starting as a transfer student is to take advantage of every opportunity to become the best version of yourself. You aren’t expected to be the same person you were at a different school or even back at home. UConn offers so many opportunities to explore new hobbies and goals. You can change your whole outlook on life by trying new things. For example, my first year here at UConn, I signed up for HuskyTHON. If you are looking to try something new, I recommend trying it out because it changed my whole perspective. Simply seeing how much our school raised and how happy each kid was brought so much light into my life. It made me realize how much I love helping others, and you meet so many great people while doing it. While stepping out of your comfort zone, you may feel uncomfortable at first, but that is what allows you to grow as an individual.Â
Starting a new school can be scary at first, but it opens you up to amazing opportunities. You just have to be patient with yourself and give yourself time to adjust. There will be days that you feel lonely or overwhelmed, but that does not mean you made the wrong choice. Many transfer students feel like they need to settle in immediately, but becoming comfortable with a new setting takes time. Eventually, UConn will begin to feel familiar, and you will recognize others around you, but everything is done one step at a time. If you are transferring to UConn, just know you are not alone. Many students around you are adjusting at the same time and are feeling everything you are going through. Just remember, UConn will eventually become your home.