Dear Transfer Student,
So at first this is going to suck. Let’s face it change is a painful but necessary part of life and transferring into a new school is no different. I don’t know your specific reason for transferring, since everyone's case is different. Maybe your old school wasn't a good fit, maybe you went to community college first or maybe you took a few years off and then decided to return to school. All of these reasons are totally common and normal, yet all of them are of no solace when you have to sit alone at the dining hall while everyone around you seems to be having the time of their life. Its scary, it’s so beyond scary to go to a new place on your own where it seems that everyone already has all the friends they could ever need. You will have a very strong impulse to shut yourself up in your room and watch Netflix every waking hour that you aren't in class.
Don’t.
When people say the phrase “put yourself out there” it can be really infuriating. What does that even mean? Don’t overthink it. Join every club that seems remotely interesting to you, or seems like an organization that you would want to be a member. Try to chat with the girl next to you before class. Go to all those big events that your university puts on for its students. Ask your roommate if they want to grab lunch. Go to a party and dance to “You Make Me Wanna Shout,” like you are John freakin’ Belushi. Fight that little voice in your head that tells you going home every weekend is a good idea, even if that little voice belongs to your mother.
There will still be days where your efforts feel futile, you will still feel a little like an outsider despite your best efforts. It’s going to be fine, because adjustment takes time, be patient with yourself and your new home. Keep going. If you keep going, keep trying and keep fighting the urge to hide under the covers then something amazing will happen. You’ll belong, you’ll feel a sense of community that will inspire you to do great things, and when it comes time to leave you will regret any of the moments that you spent fearing the unknown instead of embracing it.
Love,
Emily
