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True Life: I Transfered to Appalachian State University

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at App State chapter.
Transferring to a new school is not always easy!  Here are some tips that I have found useful in my transfer to Appalachian:
 
1. Invest in a good pair of rain boots!
For some reason, it is almost always raining in Boone!  There are so many cute rain boots out there, and they are a must-have for living here.  Check http://nordstrom.com or the Hunter rain boot website for a stylish pair to sport on those gloomy, wet days.  Don’t hesitate to buy a good pair; you will definitely get your money’s worth on this purchase!
 
2. Learn the ins and outs of the Appalcart
I don’t know about you all, but since I transferred to App I have had a love-hate relationship with this bus.  Make sure to check the route you are on and which times it comes.  Be at the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes early because there is nothing worse than watching the bus drive past your apartment as you sprint out the door after it.  Check the different locations your bus stops on campus since they fill up fast; sometimes walking to its first stop can guarantee your spot.
 
3. Prepare for the unexpected
Coming to Boone, I knew it would be cold in the winter, but I had no idea the weather would be this unpredictable.  It seems as if we go through three different seasons in one day!  My best advice is to dress in layers, once the sun comes out it can get pretty warm.  Always keep a rain jacket or umbrella in your bag since we all know Boone loves the rain.  Wear versatile shoes; don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to get wet.  Take the extra five minutes before leaving for class to check www.booneweather.com.  Ray’s weather is a pretty accurate source for predicting the unpredictable.
 
4. Get involved!
Being a transfer student is not always easy.  A good way to meet new friends is to get involved on campus!  There are so many fun clubs on campus that are more than welcoming.  Participating in Greek Life is also a great way to meet people.  App just had recruitment September 11 through 18 and found homes for nearly 400 girls.  If you like sports, try out one of the intramural or club teams.  No matter what you like to do, just get involved; there is no better way to meet people than campus activities.  Who knows you may find your new best friend!
 
5. “Stop and Smell the Roses”
If you are transferring to App, than you can truly appreciate its beauty.  Personally, coming from the plethora of bricks that house N.C. State’s campus I am constantly taking in the scenery.  Whether you enjoy hiking on the parkway or just walking along King Street, we are continuously reminded of how lucky we are to be at school here.  Apart from the changing leaves and incredible views, there is a splendor in the dynamic of campus.  There could be a frat guy, a guitar player, and a tight-rope walker all within 5 feet of each other almost every day.  There are so many different people on campus doing different things that it is nice to just take a minute, sit in the Sanford mall, and people-watch – I guarantee you will be more entertained than if you were on Facebook.
Transferring to a new school is not always easy!  As a transfer student from N.C. State to ASU, I know how hard it is to get adjusted. Here are some tips that I have found useful in my transfer to Appalachian:
 

1.Invest in a good pair of rain boots!
For some reason, it is almost always raining in Boone!  There are so many cute rain boots out there, and they are a must-have for living here.  Check out Nordstrom or Hunter rain boot website for a stylish pair to sport on those gloomy, wet days.  Don’t hesitate to buy a good pair; you will definitely get your money’s worth on this purchase!
  
2. Learn the ins and outs of the Appalcart
I don’t know about you all, but since I transferred to App I have had a love-hate relationship with the bus system.  Make sure to check the route you need to take and which times it comes.  Be at the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes early because there is nothing worse than watching the bus drive past your apartment as you sprint out the door after it.  Check the different locations your bus stops on campus since they fill up fast; sometimes taking the time to walk to its first stop is worth a guaranteed spot.

3.Prepare for the unexpected
Coming to Boone, I knew it would be cold in the winter, but I had no idea the weather would be this unpredictable.  It seems as if we go through three different seasons in one day!  My best advice is to dress in layers. Once the sun comes out, it can get pretty warm.  Always keep a rain jacket or umbrella in your bag since we all know Boone loves the rain.  Wear versatile shoes; don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to get wet.  Take the extra five minutes before leaving for class to check www.booneweather.com.  Ray’s weather is a pretty accurate source for predicting the unpredictable.
 
4. Get involved!
Being a transfer student is not always easy.  A good way to meet new friends is to get involved on campus!  There are so many fun clubs on campus that are more than welcoming.  Participating in Greek Life is also a great way to meet people.  App just had recruitment September 11 through 18 and found homes for nearly 400 girls.  If you like sports, try out one of the intramural or club teams.  No matter what you like to do, just get involved; there is no better way to meet people than campus activities.  Who knows, you may find your new best friend!
 
5. “Stop and Smell the Roses”
If you are transferring to App, than you can truly appreciate its beauty.  Personally, coming from the plethora of bricks that house N.C. State’s campus, I am constantly taking in the scenery.  Whether you enjoy hiking on the parkway or just walking along King Street, we are continuously reminded of how lucky we are to be at school here.  Apart from the changing leaves and incredible views, there is a splendor in the dynamic of AppState’s campus.  There could be a frat guy, a guitar player, and a tight-rope walker all within 5 feet of each other almost every day.  There are so many different people on campus doing different things that it’s nice to just take a minute, sit on Sanford mall, and people-watch – I guarantee you will be more entertained than if you were on Facebook.

I hope these tips helped all you fellow transfer students out there. Have fun, meet new people, and just be yourself! 

Senior Marketing and Management major at App State.
Laura Maddox is a Senior at Appalachian State University. Laura was born and raised in Charlotte, NC but loves the mountain air in Boone. She is one of four kids and has an identical twin sister. Laura enjoys reading, fashion, blogging, traveling, chocolate, lots of coffee and riding in the car with the windows down. She has a knack for creative writing, doodling and procrastination. Laura plans on moving to Boston after graduation to pursue a career in the advertising industry as a copywriter. Laura loves APP and will always be a Mountaineer fan!