The life of a college transfer student is a compilation of a million and one struggles. Though transferring schools can be one of the best decisions anyone could ever make, it’s still a scary process that isn’t always as glamorous as people make it out to be.
Going into college, I promised myself I’d never transfer schools if I didn’t have to; I wanted to get into a college, make friends, create my community and never have to give it up or alter it if possible. Little did I know, the universe had other plans for me.
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After a blast of a freshman year, I had the unfortunate decision of potentially giving up my dream to play collegiate volleyball and stick out my experience at my first college or leave my friends, my team and the new life I had created and start over completely. After a long summer of an oceans of tears, advice from all corners, tough love and a much needed epiphany, I decided to transfer. Though every time I relive that part of my life, a little bit of my heart still breaks, I know transferring was the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m glad I did. So many students, especially at a school like Whitman, know the difficulty in moving schools and simply starting over.
So, with that said, here are a few things that only transfer students experience that make us a unique breed and the proud owners of a one way ticket on the struggle bus.
1. You literally have no friends when you first get to your new school.
This is difficult in itself, but it’s a whole 'nother level of struggle if you’re a second semester transfer like myself.
2. You don’t know the way things work at your new school.
There’s always a system, you just have to figure it out.
3. Campus lingo is basically a foreign language.
What’s Reid?
4. Transfer credits don’t transfer as easily as they say they will.
Why do they even call them "transfer credits" if they don’t actually transfer?
5. Getting last pick at classes and inevitably being stuck with awful ones that have nothing to do with your major.
Well, I guess Greek 101 and Astronomy 204 will help me achieve an English degree somehow, right?
6. Pulling the transfer card whenever necessary.
But like, I really need this class. I’m a transfer student. Don’t you want me to graduate on time?
7. Applications to study abroad become rocket science.
Let’s try to get all your new general education classes, major requirements and exit exams finished in less than eight semesters, while you travel for three months... Sounds fun.
8. You may or may not have a major yet.
I’m just exploring my options, chill.
9. Being a new face on campus, everyone wants to be your friend.
Especially at a small school.
10. And everyone already knows who you are before you even step foot on campus.
Kind of a creepily flattering experience.
11. Every sorority/fraternity and their mom tries to persuade you to rush.
Rush Kappa, DG, APhi or whatever 100 other sororities are on campus!
12. Getting used to new dorms.
Expectation:
Reality:
Could be an upgrade or worse than before.
13. Adjusting to the new location of your new school.
Also a toss up between East Jesus Nowhere or the coolest city you’ve ever been to.
14. Creating new relationships with your professors, coaches and advisors.
Shout out to the new posse.
15. Finding your transfer student community and having it as a space to vent and connect on the same experience. And being super excited when a new transfer is added to your little family.
Thank God for all of you!
16. You’ll most definitely be asked to be on every single transfer panel, event and orientation.
There are only so many of us to choose from.
17. You’ll probably be in school an extra two years minimum.
I’m never leaving.
18. To graduate with your class, or not?
A more difficult decision than deciding where to transfer.
19. If you’re an athlete, then you’ve definitely experienced at least one of these: learning a new system of playing, adopting new lingo specific to your team plays, new training room rules and processes, and a new locker room.
Sink or swim, baby.
20. Your parents worry about you and your emotional well being a little extra.
On the outside:
"Don’t worry guys, I’m good."
On the inside:
(Cries uncontrollably.)
21. Your new school's food can be awesome or literal trash.
Could potentially make or break whether or not you're going to transfer again.
22. Getting super salty when you find out you have to take freshman classes that didn’t transfer over from your previous college.
LOL at being the only sophomore in a freshman intro class.
23. When the homesickness is too real to handle and you just want to sit in your room and cry.
It happens to the best of us.
24. But then you remember that you're a warrior who can get through anything.
25. And finally, knowing that whether you like your new school or not, transferring was the best decision for you because anything is better than your old school.
Tell 'em, Ron.
