The jump from attending community college to experiencing the "true" college experience at a 4-year university has been one of the most rewarding, yet challenging things I have ever encountered. Everything from the application process to creating new relationships to affiliating myself with a new environment has created a unique experience that makes me different from every other student. College, like everything else in life, is what you make of it, and UCI has blessed me with the opportunity to learn new things at an academic level, but also on a personal level.
1. You will probably fall behind, but that's okay
More likely than not, all of your units are not going to transfer, or you're coming in fresh looking to get started on the upper-division classes toward your intended major. This is especially difficult if you're coming from a community college into a 4-year university where the workload will actually surprise you and hit you out of nowhere. As an English major, there was no way I could anticipate the amount of reading that was required of me daily at UCI. I legitimately thought the whole syllabus was a typo, and dare I say wishedit was all a typo. But regardless of how strenuous the workload is or however many units you're behind because classes didn't transfer over, you'll adjust and make it work. It's not the end of the world and you'll find your way to reach your goals. Students, counselors, and other faculty are there to help you adjust academically. Remember, it is the faculty's priority to help you succeed to the best of their ability, so maximize all the resources and people around you!
2. You'll probably feel lonely, but put yourself out there
New school, new environment, new people, same you. It's not easy to leave the relationships that you had with people from a previous school. It's all a new process trying to create new friends as well as getting to know the professors that are in your specific department. Just keep an open mind and be willing to open yourself up to some strangers. These people will help you along the process and it all starts with a friendly "hi", or you know, getting paired into a group and being forced to work with people.
3. Resources. Resources. Resources.
I can't stress the use of resources enough. When you transfer from one school to the next, there are a variety and set of different resources available to you. Each college has their own unique set of resources that are available for students to take advantage of. Transferring from community college, I was blown away by the substantial amount of resources that were readily available to me the moment I transferred to UCI. Everything is a resource; library databases, internship opportunities, career/writing workshops, clubs, etc. Take advantage of all the things that are readily available. In most cases, they are also free.
4. Let yourself get lost. Explore.
Yes, be sure you know where your classes are, where to meet your counselor, and reach other resources, but let yourself discover what makes your school special outside of the academics. College is an experience, not just an opportunity to earn a degree. Surprise yourself about all of the nuances of your college. Go walk around that park that's in the middle of your school, see the running joke that if you stand on the steps in front of Ayala that it looks like a sperm swimming toward an egg, search for UCI's secret tunnels. Take the time to find what makes your school so special and find those places that add on to the experience that will help you make up your college experience.
5. It doesn't matter how long you take as long as you reach the destination
If you're a transfer student, chances are that you may take a little longer than the average student to graduate. But don't mind that because the goal isn't to graduate on time, but rather to reach your end goal, whatever that may be. Don't let shaming or the pressure to graduate in four years get to you. As long as you get there, you're on the path to reaching your goals and at the end of the day, that's what's most important.
