When I was in high school, I had an inexorable mentality. In my head, whatever school I chose to go to, that would be it for me. I didn’t even think about the possibility of transferring as an option. It was a part of my own stubbornness thinking that the first decision I made was the right one. But, like many of us at that age, I was young and naive and didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life. I ultimately decided to go to Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater Massachusetts, and while I struggled with the transition into college, I was convincing myself that I was truly happy. I had applied to UMass Amherst when I applied to BSU, but I decided on the latter simply because I heard UMass was a “party school” and it was a city in itself, and I felt overwhelmed knowing that. But, despite my decision and thinking that BSU was right for me, I always had a regret in the back of my mind thinking about how I wish that I had gone to UMass instead. Anytime I had that thought, I would get a pit in my stomach thinking about the possibility that I had made a mistake, and the idea of transferring felt like it was something too extreme.
But, that all changed when I came back to campus my junior year after my freshman year had been cut short in March because of the pandemic. Walking to my classes, I felt like I was dragging myself along the single path that goes through BSU’s campus. I felt out of place, like I didn’t belong, and couldn’t find a place where I did belong. Finally, a few weeks into my fall semester I decided to apply to UMass again, and ONLY UMass. I felt that it was time for me to make the biggest decision I’ve ever made, and completely change the trajectory of not only my degree but also my life.
I got accepted into UMass within the week I applied, and found that I would only be short two classes (credits-wise) and I would still be an honors student. I started informing BSU that I wouldn’t be returning and it felt incredible because that meant it was really happening. Looking back now, I just appreciate the support of all my loved ones who pushed me to make the decision and helped me through the application process. I think when you have a great support system in your world, it makes the whole process easier.
When I visited UMass again for the first time since my junior year in high school, I just knew I made the right decision. The first stop was Hampshire Dining hall, and of course, since we have “Number-One Dining,” I was blown away. But besides the food, I found myself in love with the campus and the breathtaking view of the mountains on the horizon. And while UMass is in the middle of nowhere, it’s so alive because of the student population.
What also drew me in was the communication major curriculum. I felt like I had class options that I had been missing out on at BSU. I was able to explore the topics of horror, humor, and story-telling, to name a few, which were not even close to being options for me before.
(DISCLAIMER: I’d like to say that I am not hating my old school, but more so expressing why I found that it didn’t work for me. I want to emphasize that if someone feels the same way I did about my first college, then they should feel comfortable exploring their options in transferring somewhere that makes them happy.)
Now I am here, writing for Her Campus, and I couldn’t be happier. Even if this is my last semester and I’ll only get to have three full semesters at UMass, I enjoyed every moment. I remember when I was in sixth grade and attended a UMass Amherst football game, and never even thought about going as a student, let alone graduating. But, now I am going to be walking across the stage at the same field I went to all those years ago and getting my degree. It reminds me of how life works in funny ways, and how life really goes full circle.
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