Dear Transfer Student,

So you just completed a year or two at a community college or local university and now it is time to pack up and make your debut in the big leagues. After months of hard work and laying down the foundation for your future, it is now time for reality to sink in. You start getting letters in the mail for your “New Student Orientation” and advice on “What to bring and what not to bring to college.” The emotions are running high since you are yet again stepping into unfamiliar territory. You spent the last few months of your life stuck in the town you grew up in, while your friends moved on to bigger and better things. Now your wait is over.

Going to a New Student Orientation might be a little strange for you. Everyone around you is hyped about just graduating from high school and you are hyped about finally getting out of the “trap” that community college is famous for. You already know what it is like switching over from high school classes to college lectures, so the only thing different for you is moving away from home and being on your own. On a side note, be prepared to answer questions about where you came from, especially at a small university. Most students at small universities are able to pick out new faces, so if you transfer into upper-division classes, you will most likely be asked, “Where did you come from?” or “You are a junior? Why haven’t I seen you on campus before?”

The transition into this new life will be a little hard in the beginning but do not let that scare you. As opposed to being a freshman, most transfer students only have a couple years left to finish school; this does not give you a lot of time to adjust. Just do your best to get situated and settled in. Also, do not be afraid to reach out to your peers and use the resources available to you on campus. No one wants to see you fail.

There are a lot of things that might change when you go away: your diet, your friends, your lifestyle and maybe even your major. My word of advice is to accept the change. Not everything in life is meant to be forever. Sometimes change is a good thing. You will find yourself making new friends, finding new interests, and exploring what else life has to offer. It is easy for a transfer student to feel lost since they are often thrown in the mix with all the freshman, but realistically you are at a different point in your life. All you need to do is relax and focus on why you came here in the first place. Go out and make friends, explore the town and take advantage of the clubs and activities at your new “home.” It is now time to build upon the foundation that you laid for your future.

Sincerely,

A Transfer Student