Three Essential Tips for Transfer Students
Picking a college to attend is a huge, life-altering decision. It’s one that can be confusing to navigate, and sometimes we figure out that we made the wrong choice at first. That is completely OK! I’m currently a senior in my last semester at Grand Valley State University, but my college career has been far from traditional. In my four years of college, I’ve attended three different universities and have taken a semester off but it all worked out and I’ve managed to finish strong. You may be in a similar situation but you can get through it too by getting involved, exploring your new surroundings, and always trusting your gut!
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Involved!
Entering an environment where you don’t know anyone can be very overwhelming. As a transfer student, you often don’t get the same resources as first-year students do, and it can make you feel isolated and alone. That’s why it’s important to get involved on campus and interact with others during your classes. By joining clubs and communicating with peers and professors, you allow yourself to make new connections. When I first came to Grand Valley, I worried about how I would go about making new friends. While it was an intimidating process, it was made easy by joining clubs that align with my passions, such as GrandPR and GVPRSSA.
Explore Your New Surroundings!
Being new to the area, it can also be difficult to navigate a new town and a new campus. My advice when dealing with this is to not be afraid to go out alone and to always show up early. When it comes to finding classrooms and buildings, it’s better to be early than late, and being early can eliminate the stress of getting lost. Similarly, if you’re new to town and want to try a new restaurant or check out a new store, don’t be shy about checking it out alone! Going out and about is a great way to meet people and form new connections.
Trust Your Gut!
My last piece of advice for those who have transferred or are thinking about transferring is to listen to your gut. It’s easy to start thinking about the “what ifs” in life. “What if” I had stayed, or “what if” I chose this school to begin with? It’s easy to let these doubtful thoughts creep in, but at the end of the day, it’s important to find happiness and belonging where you’re at, and not in the past or in the future.
Transferring can be intimidating and scary, but it can also be fulfilling and exciting. Wherever you’re at, get involved, make the effort to participate, try new things, and never doubt yourself or the path you’re on. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s important to remember that things will always work out and that you are never alone on your academic journey.
About Megan
Megan Morse is a Senior at GVSU studying advertising and public relations. This is Megan’s second semester in GrandPR where she serves as an Account Executive. Megan is currently an intern at Lambert and Associates where she serves on various client teams.