A Mid-Year Transition

Hi everyone and Happy Monday! It's back to work and back to school for a majority of us. Most colleges and universities don't start the new semester for another week or two, but if you are transferring or just starting at a university this January, your transition is going to be a little different than if you were starting in the Fall semester. If you're still wondering if you should transfer out of a university, then check out this post from a few weeks ago! Because a good transition is crucial for your success at a new college, I thought I would share my tips with you all on making this semester the best one yet!

• Attend Transfer Orientation - This is most likely mandatory for all students who are starting during the Winter/Spring semester; even if it is optional, you should still go. You will be able to meet other transfer students in a less intense environment, as well as, meet with and talk to college administrators about the resources available to transfer students on campus. They may also share information with you about different events going on in the coming weeks to help you get to know more students!
• Join some clubs - This can have a HUGE impact on your transition into a new college. You are very easily able to meet more people who share the same interests as you and who can help acclimate you to the college culture too. Clubs will not only have their weekly meetings, but they will also host on-going events throughout the semester which will help your social circle grow! I'd suggest joining two clubs to start off with. One that is a hobby and another that is either academic or social. This will help double your opportunity to make friends and help smooth your transition on campus. 
• Attend Residence Hall meetings - Your first resource on campus will always be your RA and your Residence Hall Director. They have the training to be able to help you with your transition and guide you to the areas on campus that you need. The Transfer Orientation will have more limited information, as compared to a Fall Freshmen Orientation, so your RA and RD can help you navigate campus and get the resources you need ( e.g. Campus Ministry, Health Services, Work Study ... etc.) Also, you will be able to meet the people on your floor during these meetings and they can be a great resource for helping you get to know the campus and make new connections.
• Work with study groups - There's a chance that you will be entering an academic program in the middle of a sequence, so you'll want to work with your classmates to get caught up on the teaching styles and expectations of your professors, content you may have missed at your other university, and other academic opportunities on campus. You will be adjusting to a lot, while jumping right into classes, so working with students in your major will help you ease your academic transition. It also doesn't ever hurt to have a study group to prepare for quizzes and tests!
• Go to sporting events - Because why not! It'll help your spirit for the university grow! You can go to any sporting event and choose to sit in the student section. Most likely you will get in for a great discount if not for free if you sit in the student section. The energy will be electric and you'll get to bond with your fellow collegiates when your team wins! 
• Meet with your professors - Visit your professors when they have posted Office Hours to get to know them and to know more about the major that you're in. You can use this time to clarify program requirements and even set up a time table. If they'd rather you schedule a meeting with them, you can do that too. This is just so that you can get to know them a little better, as you are lacking that first semester of having them as your professor. They may also be able to offer some advice on catching up with material or general hints on being successful in your program!

For those of you who are transferring or took a semester or two or three off and are trying to get back into the swing of things, these tips should help ease your transition onto campus!  Most importantly, just spend your time trying to integrate yourself into campus life, both through creating a social and an academic circle! 

I hope for those of you who are transferring, you do have a great transition! Also, just a reminder I will be doing a Q&A session in a few weeks to answer any questions you all have, so please send those to me through a comment below, a tweet or you can e-mail them directly to me! Have a great week everyone!!

enjoy the chase,

skylar

Should I Transfer?

Hi everyone! As the first semester of this school year is now complete for almost all universities, I wanted to talk about something that is a very real concern for students once they return home after that first semester. Transferring out of a college after their first or third semester can be a true issue for students once they complete their finals. It is a decision that deserves a lot of conscious thought and research, so I wanted to talk about that with you today.

Now, sometimes a college that we choose just does not work out for many reasons: you decide to change majors, the student culture isn't what you thought, changing home dynamics cause you to be perpetually homesick, your physical or mental health deteriorates, and so many other reasons. What's important to remember here though is this: IT IS YOUR REASON. It does not need to be explained or rationalized to anyone but yourself! Before you make your final decision about transferring, you should have a conversation with those who you are closest to, as well as, an advocate on your campus to determine what other options you have.

Why should you talk to your family - These are the most supportive people in your life, your parents, siblings, boyfriend/girlfriend, best friend, or another family member you trust. They know your personality best and should be able to help you decide what will be best for your new path. They can also help show you the pros and cons of transferring to another institution such as: academic quality, financial feasibility, and student life experience. Their support can also help you manage whatever your reasoning is for wanting to leave your current college, ie: depression/anxiety, lack of friends, or missing family members.

Why you should talk to a student advocate at college - These are Resident Directors, your RA, Counselors, Advisers, or any other administrator who you trust or respect. The reason you should speak with someone on your college campus too is so that if there is something on campus that can combat your reason for leaving, then they can help you find it! Oftentimes, students will choose to leave a college because they are having difficulty integrating into a social structure, so meeting with your RA or Adviser can help you find some clubs or organizations that you can join to make friends and start having a fulfilling college experience.

ABOVE ALL ELSE - Do not decide to transfer out of or into a university because of another person, ie: a boyfriend/girlfriend, crush, or best friend. You need to do what is best for you, not what is best for them. If your relationship/friendship is meant to last, then it will withstand the distance and the struggles of being apart. This is your chance to grow, learn, and become independent so don't let another person persuade you to transfer.

Story Time - My Freshman year of college, I contemplated transferring out of my alma mater. I did not have many friends (other than my roommate), I was told by my Adviser that I would not graduate on time, I missed my family and boyfriend, and honestly just wanted to be closer to my comfort zone. So, I looked into transferring into a comparable college that was only about forty minutes from my house, however as soon as I looked into the financing options I knew it would not be feasible. Most often, and this was the case for this university, transfer students get extremely limited scholarship opportunities. Even though I graduated valedictorian in High School and I had a full tuition scholarship already, I would have only been eligible for a $7,000 merit scholarship. This completely changed my mind and option of transferring. --- Instead, I chose to find ways to make my time at my alma mater exactly what I wanted it to be. I joined a few clubs, signed up to be an Orientation Leader, looked into other academic opportunities to combat my Adviser's statement. This was the BEST thing I could have ever done. I stuck it out and made my college experience exactly what I wanted it to be ... I grew up and became way more independent and just started acting and thinking for myself so that I could succeed exactly how I wanted!

Deciding whether or not to transfer out of your university is a huge decision, so make sure you look at all of your options: finances, student life, academics, and family relationships. Ultimately, you need to make the decision that is best for your success in the future and your growth as an individual and whatever decision you make, stand up for it and make it work! If you have any questions or concerns about your experiences or about possibly transferring, feel free to comment below, send me an e-mail or direct message me on Twitter, I would be glad to help you or just be a sounding-board for your decision!

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope you all have an incredibly Merry Christmas surrounded by your families and friends. Take joy in this time that you get to spend with each other!

enjoy the chase,

skylar