For incoming college students who are planning to live-on campus, LLCs are a choice. Living-Learning Communities are on-campus housing based communities of students living together in the same on-campus building who share similar academic or special interests. Students in their specific LLCs are all places in the same wing of a hall with each other. I transferred to the University of New Haven as a sophomore and decided to to seize the opportunity to join the first ever Transfer LLC UNH ever had. Our Transfer LLC is made up of 13 student including myself who all are spending our first year at this school as transfers from various schools across the east coast.

1. The LLC residents were my first friends on campus

It’s already terrifying to enter college for the first time. Now imagine going to a new college to finish your education. You're starting all over again like a freshmen, you left your friends from your last school again so you come here not knowing anyone. The beginning of the semester involves you and your cohort clinging to each other for dear life trying to figure out the new campus we’re placed on. They are your first friends before you branch out and make friends outside the LLC. What makes it interesting is they aren’t necessarily the people you seek out on your own but you’re brought together.

2. We all share a special interest: Transfers

We all either finished up community college or decided to call it quits on our last 4-year school. I think it’s great we all share this special interest because it gives something to converse about. We all talk about our adventures and experiences at our last school, changing our career paths and the credits that did or did not transfer over that left a one credit short of grade status.

3. The programs and our RA (leader of LLC)

I must admit the programs we have are very fun and brings us together. From going to a sunflower maze to an escape to having takeout it’s a benefit. Also what I love even more is our RA who was a transfer student herself last year who is good to look up to and go to or help when needed.

4. We all integrate into campus life and student involvement.

The supervisor for the Transfer LLC, Renee Prajer told us about her being proud of us being involved on campus which I eventually noticed we all really are doing. One LLC member is in the Music Industry Club, one friend on the dance team, another in Paranormal Activity club, my roommate is acapella. And me juggling active membership in Black Student Union, NAACP, Charger Bulletin & WNHU.

5. You’ll be the best of friends of some (but not all)

Let’s be honest when you group a bunch of stranger from different walks of live we’re not gonna get along. They’ll be clashing and conflicts. However for the year we must tolerate each other as we all live together. Not all of us a friends, and you may be like me and have a select groups of people I’m close with than others. Some may venture off do their own thing with other people on campus. So don’t expect your LLC to be one happy family.

6. They’ll always have my back

With my LLC, whatever happens with me I know they’ll be there when I need to get over problems that come in my way. They’re a shoulder to lean on, someone to vent to since their next door. Also help when your homework confuses the hell out of you. Or even there when you want to have a movie night.