There’s no right way to navigate transferring. It’s almost like navigating shoe shopping; some are flashier than others, some may have good support, and some may just be too big or too small. Unlike shoes though, you don’t exactly get to walk around the store and see if they’re a good fit for you. When you think about transferring, you can go look at the campus and listen to what students and faculty have to say about their school, but nothing will compare to being immersed in the authentic experiences of the school.
As a senior in high school, you get to go on so many different college tours. You look at the websites and finally get to step foot on the campus and see if this is where you can envision yourself for the next four years. Some people have it in their heads that they just have to get up and out of their home state and go far away, while others enjoy the comfort of being near home. For me, I toured schools all on the east coast because I knew I wanted to be close to home, but not close enough where I could choose to be home every night. When it came down to decision day, I was so torn between two schools. Basically, I just flipped a coin and said, “Okay, that is where I am going.” While that may work out for some people, it didn’t end up working for me.
After going back for my second semester of freshman year, I tried to push these thoughts of “what if?” aside because I had such great friends and was having fun so there was no reason to keep thinking about other opportunities. Then, the cloud that rained on everyone hit: The COVID-19 pandemic.
As I was stuck at home, I had so much time to weigh the pros and cons of what exactly I wanted. After so much research and looking to my friends for advice, I decided that transferring to The University of Maine was what I truly wanted to do. With the support of my friends and family, I was able to feel this weight lifting off of my chest and I was finally able to believe that this was the path meant for me.
The one thing I always tell anyone who asks me about my experience is trust your gut. Transferring is scary, you’re starting all over and have to get readjusted all while taking classes. You have to take it day by day and realize that your happiness is more important than sticking it out because you are afraid of what others will think.
When you arrive at your new school, get involved! Try to expand yourself so you can meet new people and find the things you love to do. Remember, it is okay to be sad. To think back on what your “old life” used to be but also do not forget to live in the now and pat yourself on the back because you have come such a long way.
If you have that feeling of “what if?” and think that perhaps you made the wrong decision during that senior year of high school, that is okay. Follow your heart and know that you will end up where you are meant to be. Everything happens for a reason and you deserve to be happy. Do it, you won’t regret it.