Transferring into a new school can be difficult and scary. You’re coming in as an upperclassman and a lot of people have already found their cliques and found their favorite activities whether it be athletics, musicals, Greek life or whatever else there may be. As I transferred in this year, I can remember the anxiety I felt on my four-hour drive down. I didn’t know a single other person on campus and hadn’t even met my roommate yet. Here are some tips I wish I had known to ease my anxiety for the start of a new chapter in my life.

1. The people in your hall will become your friends.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a dorm, you will be with these people all of the time throughout the next year. You will share floor meetings together and intramural teams. Get to know them. You never know when you’re going to accidentally forget your key and pass and need someone to come help.

2. Go to all of the transfer events.

The transfer events seem extremely fast paced and stressful at first, especially because you have just moved in. But, you will get to know everyone a lot better and everyone there is in the same boat as you are. I met some of my closest friends on campus during one of these events and it completely changed my entire first-semester experience.

3. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

You’re new there and while it may be a small school, there’s a lot to learn, and not a lot of time to learn it. Utilize your link leader, and when you can’t find one of the buildings your classes are in, ASK SOMEONE. I know many kids who skipped their first days of classes because they couldn’t find one of the most hidden buildings.

4. Be open-minded.

Join clubs, sports, and go to all the events: even the ones that you don’t think you would initially be interested in. It can be hard to want to leave your room and sometimes you may have to suck it up and go to the interest meetings and events alone, but they are some of the best ways to meet new people and quickly feel comfortable in your new environment.

5. Be in contact with your advisor.

Your advisor is your knight in shining armor when it comes to your academics. He or she will be there for it all, however many years you have and whatever struggles you may face. Picking your classes early in the semester and knocking as many gen eds out as early as you can to make easier start to your first semester on campus.

Whether you’re coming in with your associate degree already complete or are completely new to this whole college thing, transferring is an amazing and terrifying experience and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who is thinking about applying.