Taking Control of Your Transfer Experience

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't.” -Steve Mariboli 

You're only halfway through your first semester of college when you realize something doesn't feel right. Your friends and family are miles away, the workload in your classes is seemingly unmanageable and you're beginning to feel that you simply don't belong.

After exhausting your options, you may discover that feeling out of place in that particular environment can be beyond your control. However, there's an alternative: transferring schools. While the idea of starting over may terrify you, as someone who transferred as an upperclassman, my only regret was that I hadn't done it sooner.

Here are a few steps you can take to help you regain control of the situation:

1. Take time to reflect: Transferring colleges isn't always an easy decision to make. In fact, it can feel daunting to reflect on your financial situation, academic status, and other factors that come into play when applying elsewhere. Though the process may intimidate you, try not to second-guess yourself, especially if it's something you are seriously looking into. Instead, try talking it through with a family member, close friend, or a counselor. Pinpointing your unhappiness can help you to narrow down your options going forward. Are you looking for a school with a bigger social scene? More freedom to be involved in clubs and sports? Better networking opportunities for your major? Whatever the reason may be, find what is keeping you from making your next move and work around it. 
2. Go on a college road trip: It's likely that the reason you're not too into the school you're at now is because it didn't meet the expectations you had for it when first applying. Whether you're planning on visiting campuses or going on a virtual college road trip, remember to do your research! Consider all aspects of the school that might impact your experience in the future. When attending open houses, don't feel shy about asking your tour guide questions. Pro-Tip- If you've already decided on a major, introduce yourself to the professors in your department from now. Becoming familiar with faculty members before transferring over will help to make up for any lost time. Make a great first impression and they will be sure to remember your name once you've officially enrolled in classes!
3. Get busy: As mentioned earlier, the procedure of transferring out can drag, especially if you're eager to leave the school you're at. Even if you are still debating, there are actions you can take now that will help speed up your application process later on. 
1. Finish out the semester strong! Though some programs may require you to take a test before being admitted, most schools are interested in your current academic standing. Make sure that your grades are up to par before applying and do your best to maintain your GPA even after you've accepted. Sometimes those final grades are still looked at. You might also want to get a head start on collecting past assignments and projects for a portfolio to bring to admission interviews. It's not always required but can still be quite impressive! 
2. Start looking into financial aid as needed. Scholarships both through schools and outside sources can help lessen the blow of tuition. In doing a quick Google search, you'd be surprised by the amount of money you can be awarded for things aside from grades and sports. 
3. Get in contact with the admissions office of your current school and ask for copies of your transcript as well as any other important documents you may need down the line. Having these papers available before applying can save you both time and stress as it may take a while for the request to be processed. Don't feel anxious if you're still unsure about transferring. Receiving your transcript does NOT necessarily mean that you will be leaving any time soon. It's common for people to keep copies of these documents for job searching as well as their own personal records. 
4. Making the decision: Once you've been accepted, don't base your final decision on the opinions of anyone else aside from yourself and your family (if they choose to fund your education). Significant others, friends, and even strangers may feel it is their place to weigh in their own thoughts on the situation, especially if it means leaving them behind. It's important to remember that loved ones should always want to see you succeed, even if it means making a choice that could potentially alter your relationship. Though you may begin to feel pressured, the decision is ultimately yours to make. Do what is in your own best interest.
5. Get involved: If you don't already know anybody at your new school, you may find yourself struggling with a loss of identity. It's tough to feel like nobody knows your name. Though it's been said time and time again, taking part in clubs, organizations, and events on campus is truly one of the best ways to make friends at your new school. It can be easier to adjust by looking into the social life of a school even in the earlier stages of applying. Being able to connect with others beyond the classroom can be a really valuable experience for someone who feels unknown. 

If you feel you may want to transfer colleges, do not make the decision to "stick it out" without first exploring your options. Trust your instincts, do your research and the rest will fall into place. Like myself, you will find that facing your fears may point you in a better direction of amazing opportunities. 

Best of luck to my transfers!

Sending love, always. 

-Nature of the Girl ♡