After obtaining my associate degree through online classes at my local community college, I made the decision to transfer to Old Dominion University during the fall semester of my sophomore year. Although it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my academic career, it was a major lifestyle change. I went from being employed part-time at a shoe store and working on my schoolwork on Fridays to living four hours away in a foreign city with 6-9 hour school days all within one month.
It did take me a while to adjust to this new routine, but I’ve compiled some key tips that helped me transition smoothly into my new living situation.
STAY ORGANIZED
Unlike the online courses I was used to, in-person university classes require you to be highly attentive as a student. Participation and attendance are potential factors that could affect your grade, so it is important to stay on top of things, especially with how easy it is to skip classes after going at your own pace with online courses.
If you’re like me and you went from having a steady paycheck to having school be your new job, it’s important to keep track of your personal finances. I blew through a good portion of my savings the first few months of my fall semester since I wasn’t frequently looking at my bank statements as often as I should have; it’s not easy when there’s a Chipotle right up the road. If you’re living on-campus, having a meal plan is a great way to save money long-term. I recommend doing research before the housing process to ensure you choose the right meal plan best fit for you.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO ADJUST
I was overwhelmed during my first time on campus because everything was so much larger in scale compared to my previous education situation. During my first few weeks, I contemplated moving back home to my community college when things began to feel too fast-paced and different. It’s important to prioritize self-care and stay in touch with family and friends back home when trying to immerse yourself in university life. It’s normal to feel homesick once reality sets in that your new lifestyle is completely different from before you transferred. Once you put yourself out there, you’ll find comfort in knowing that everyone else is in the same boat.
Embrace the New Social Environment and Resources
Advice that every new student on a college campus should follow is to take advantage of campus events and clubs. However, transfer students should especially partake in events specifically targeted toward their demographic. Not only are you learning about resources that the university offers that your community college didn’t, but you’re also surrounding yourself with people that are in a similar situation. Whether they are transferring from a community college like yourself or another major university, you’re both vulnerable in a new environment where it’s important to make new connections.
It’s also important to make emails and appointments whenever you have any kind of question. For me, I had to transfer with virtually no help from my old advisors and had to guide myself. I found myself emailing the advisors and financial aid office regularly with questions (that were probably considered dumb) and they happily provided me with answers, lifting so much anxiety off of my shoulders. I am a first generation university student, so I truly had no one else to rely on and I cannot stress enough how incredibly helpful the resources that the university offered were in my transition.
Committing to transferring to another school is the most difficult step. Fortunately, the hardest part is over the moment you step foot on campus; there’s exciting new opportunities around every corner that you wouldn’t be offered through an online college. Every challenge you face is a new chance to grow and before long, you will find your rhythm of things and your life at university will begin to feel like home.