First and foremost, I apologize for taking so extremely long to post a new entry. With a plethora of tasks on my 'to-do' list, my family finally back after having sailed the Caribbean while I took upon summer school, and fighting off this god-awful cold. All aboard the hot mess express! Also, a new entry has also been posted under 'Sass & Class'- so go check that one out as well :)
With August just around the corner, the eighth month of the year carries a lot of weight. For many of us, it means trying to adjust back to a normal sleeping schedule, no more binge watching Netflix, and realizing that school is around the corner. Don't get me wrong, returning to school is great (minus the whole 'having to go to class' part)! You get to reunite with your friends, catch each other up on summer, etc.
For many of us, we are returning back to familiar ground. And for some, it is the beginning of something completely new. With the start of a new school year, there are a handful of articles with titles such as 'Things I wish I knew as a freshmen', 'Things I wish I knew at 18', or something of very similar nature. However, this is not one of those. Perhaps you are transferring, know someone who is transferring, or simply here to read this article- I hope the following list will give you an open perspective of what it means to be a transfer student. Here are the top 5 things I wish I knew when I transferred.
1. Those first few weeks are going to be rough...
In other words: they are going to suck. But that is completely okay, it takes time! And it might not be as difficult for some as it is for others. I left an amazing city, amazing friends and moved to a college town in which I see a lot of friends whom I grew up with/went to high school with. One of my absolute closest and bestest (yea, I know, not a real word) friend from high school goes here; yet it was still a difficult transition. As cliche as it may sound- some of your hardest goodbyes often lead to the best hellos. The feelings you face during those first few weeks, many of those who transferred felt them as well. I promise, if you can pull through those first few weeks- everything will be worth it! Just hang in there!
2. Become familiar with the unfamiliar
One of the biggest factors I had to adjust to was living in a college town. That sounds like a no brainer, but going from a city such as Saint Louis to a college town was a pretty big difference. In Saint Louis, the civilian varies- whereas in a college town, majority of the population is students (well no duh). It is completely normal to feel a little lost or out of place, just breath- you are in a new area! Explore, learn the roads, adapt to your new environment. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and everything will begin to feel like home.
3. Go outside your comfort zone
When you are a 'transfer', you are constantly learning/remembering new names, introducing yourself, etc... It gets tiring, therefore, you want to be around people you already know. As I mentioned in #1, I moved to a town where I see a lot of friends whom I grew up with/went to high school with. During my first few weeks into transferring, I stuck by those familiar faces. They were my security blanket. After awhile, I told myself that it was time to step outside my comfort zone. If I could do it at my first school, then there is no excuse as to why I could not do it the second time around. It may take time but meet new people, make new friends! Be open to the endless wonderful possibilities that your new school will bring!
4. Tough times unveil the sincerity of people
I cannot begin to explain how important this one is, because it shows a lot about someone's character. These are the people who just met you and do everything they can to make you feel welcome. Unlike freshmen year when everyone is new, when you transfer you are the 'odd man out' (so to speak). People already have their group of friends/inside jokes, and not everyone will make an effort to include you in their circle. I promise, they are not being vicious or have ill-feelings towards you- they just have everything establish. Remember those who go beyond the extra mile for you; they didn't do it because they had to, they did it because they wanted to.
5. Keep the friends
Wherever life may bring you, don't forget about the friends at your old school. If they treated you great, then there is no reason as to why you should diminish their friendship. Tim and I met when we were at school in Saint Louis. Though we both ended up transferring and our time in Saint Louis was short, we share many of the same friends. Just a few days ago, Tim texted me something that made me think back to freshmen year and laugh. Don't forget about the friends you had prior. For Tim and I, they were our first college friends and some of the all-around greatest people we know. One of things we did this previous semester was set aside a weekend where him and I were able to make a trip back to Saint Louis to see all of our friends. It wasn't because it was Mardi Gras weekend that made it a great time, rather, it was being able to be all together again. The friends you had at your old school came into your life for a reason, cherish the moments y'all had together.
For those who are about to take on a new school, smile and be ready to take on the challenge! You can do it! For those who know someone or will meet someone who is transferring, welcome them to your school and make them feel at home- it never hurts to be more friendlier than necessary.
Lots of love,
- C
With August just around the corner, the eighth month of the year carries a lot of weight. For many of us, it means trying to adjust back to a normal sleeping schedule, no more binge watching Netflix, and realizing that school is around the corner. Don't get me wrong, returning to school is great (minus the whole 'having to go to class' part)! You get to reunite with your friends, catch each other up on summer, etc.
For many of us, we are returning back to familiar ground. And for some, it is the beginning of something completely new. With the start of a new school year, there are a handful of articles with titles such as 'Things I wish I knew as a freshmen', 'Things I wish I knew at 18', or something of very similar nature. However, this is not one of those. Perhaps you are transferring, know someone who is transferring, or simply here to read this article- I hope the following list will give you an open perspective of what it means to be a transfer student. Here are the top 5 things I wish I knew when I transferred.
1. Those first few weeks are going to be rough...
In other words: they are going to suck. But that is completely okay, it takes time! And it might not be as difficult for some as it is for others. I left an amazing city, amazing friends and moved to a college town in which I see a lot of friends whom I grew up with/went to high school with. One of my absolute closest and bestest (yea, I know, not a real word) friend from high school goes here; yet it was still a difficult transition. As cliche as it may sound- some of your hardest goodbyes often lead to the best hellos. The feelings you face during those first few weeks, many of those who transferred felt them as well. I promise, if you can pull through those first few weeks- everything will be worth it! Just hang in there!
2. Become familiar with the unfamiliar
One of the biggest factors I had to adjust to was living in a college town. That sounds like a no brainer, but going from a city such as Saint Louis to a college town was a pretty big difference. In Saint Louis, the civilian varies- whereas in a college town, majority of the population is students (well no duh). It is completely normal to feel a little lost or out of place, just breath- you are in a new area! Explore, learn the roads, adapt to your new environment. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and everything will begin to feel like home.
3. Go outside your comfort zone
When you are a 'transfer', you are constantly learning/remembering new names, introducing yourself, etc... It gets tiring, therefore, you want to be around people you already know. As I mentioned in #1, I moved to a town where I see a lot of friends whom I grew up with/went to high school with. During my first few weeks into transferring, I stuck by those familiar faces. They were my security blanket. After awhile, I told myself that it was time to step outside my comfort zone. If I could do it at my first school, then there is no excuse as to why I could not do it the second time around. It may take time but meet new people, make new friends! Be open to the endless wonderful possibilities that your new school will bring!
4. Tough times unveil the sincerity of people
I cannot begin to explain how important this one is, because it shows a lot about someone's character. These are the people who just met you and do everything they can to make you feel welcome. Unlike freshmen year when everyone is new, when you transfer you are the 'odd man out' (so to speak). People already have their group of friends/inside jokes, and not everyone will make an effort to include you in their circle. I promise, they are not being vicious or have ill-feelings towards you- they just have everything establish. Remember those who go beyond the extra mile for you; they didn't do it because they had to, they did it because they wanted to.
5. Keep the friends
Wherever life may bring you, don't forget about the friends at your old school. If they treated you great, then there is no reason as to why you should diminish their friendship. Tim and I met when we were at school in Saint Louis. Though we both ended up transferring and our time in Saint Louis was short, we share many of the same friends. Just a few days ago, Tim texted me something that made me think back to freshmen year and laugh. Don't forget about the friends you had prior. For Tim and I, they were our first college friends and some of the all-around greatest people we know. One of things we did this previous semester was set aside a weekend where him and I were able to make a trip back to Saint Louis to see all of our friends. It wasn't because it was Mardi Gras weekend that made it a great time, rather, it was being able to be all together again. The friends you had at your old school came into your life for a reason, cherish the moments y'all had together.
For those who are about to take on a new school, smile and be ready to take on the challenge! You can do it! For those who know someone or will meet someone who is transferring, welcome them to your school and make them feel at home- it never hurts to be more friendlier than necessary.
Lots of love,
- C