The Trials and Thrills of Transferring and Accepting Change
by: Scarlett Catanzaro '24
Change is constant in life, and one of the most significant changes is transitioning
to a new state, home, school, or, in this case, a university. Being a transfer student
attending a new university can be difficult. Whether it's due to academic reasons,
personal reasons, or choice, transferring to a different institution can be both exciting
and daunting. As someone who has experienced this type of transition firsthand, I
understand entirely the mixed emotions that come with it. In this blog post, I wish
to highlight the experiences, challenges, and possible rewards of transferring to
a new university.
Handling the Paperwork and Processes
The decision to transfer to a new university looks different for everyone, but it always has its challenges. Transferring involves multiple tasks, including research, the application process, and credit transfers. In my experience, McKendree made the transfer process relatively simple. I talked to an admissions counselor who discussed my goals, gathered all my information, and sent what needed to be sent to other departments. I was helped in creating an email address and kept up to date throughout the entire transfer process. That said, it isn't always this easy, and you should always be sure to prepare yourself for what might be a time-consuming process.
Navigating New Surroundings
I found most of the challenges to happen once the paperwork was done and I was attending classes on campus. For one, arriving at a new university may feel like stepping into the unknown, and navigating all the new buildings can quickly become overwhelming. I was sure to have a campus map on me during the first week or two of classes, and I asked for help finding places whenever I needed it. Huffpost has many helpful suggestions for adapting to new surroundings, including learning as much as possible about your new surroundings in advance. Prior knowledge of your surroundings can help you feel more prepared and less anxious. It was most important for me to remember that I wasn't alone, and there were plenty of other students also experiencing the campus for the first time and having many of the same feelings. The personnel on campus made sure to be super caring and helpful as well, which made me feel extra welcome.
Forming New Relationships
Making new friends and forming new relationships was the most anxiety-provoking aspect of transferring for me and felt nearly impossible at times. However, I was quickly proved wrong and began surrounding myself with a great group of people. Groups such as the Literary Interest Society, English Honors Society, and the Literary and Arts Undergraduate Magazine, Catalyst, were very supportive and helped me immerse myself within the community. Transferring to a new university provides a unique opportunity to expand your social circle and connect with various people. Building that community on campus is so important, whether you're bonding over shared interests, working together in class, or having a great conversation.
I've met so many amazing people in and out of my classes. One of my now good friends and fellow transfer student, Jake Kingsley, speaks about his personal experiences with transferring and says, “Though needing to transfer to a different university may seem like an academic kiss of death, I'm extremely happy with my decision to transfer universities. My original four-year program had no institutional or student body support, existing almost completely as an extension of mandatory general education classes. Although I had academic success, I struggled in school as there was no real community for my major. Transferring over to McKendree, I found a department filled with structural support. I found professors who wanted to help, mentor, and engage outside of class time. I found a place where I felt I could finally grow and learn what I wanted to learn to become the person I really, truly want to be.”
Connecting with your professors is another excellent way to slowly open yourself up to the community. When I was still too anxious to meet peers directly, I spoke to my professors, and they all gave me great advice on clubs to join and where to meet like-minded people. They were also very understanding and made sure to make me feel welcome to the community within their classrooms.
Gaining New Skills and Insight
Despite the challenges of transferring to a new university, there are also some benefits. For one, facing and overcoming all the hurdles teaches you resilience and allows you to learn how to navigate difficult or uncomfortable situations; this skill will be helpful in the future. Transferring also opens you up to new possibilities you otherwise wouldn't have like experiencing travel, meeting new people, and finding your place in a new community.
Not to mention, you can find yourself in a whole new way. Being thrust into a new place with new people grants you the opportunity to rediscover yourself, such as your hobbies, interests, and goals. You could even change up your whole look if you wanted. This is the time to re-invent yourself however you wish! I discovered so much about myself and my interests when I gave myself the chance to explore.
All in all, the journey of transferring to a new university is an experience filled with challenges, growth, and rewards. While the initial hurdles may appear daunting, embracing the change and going into the transfer process with an open mind can make all the difference. Many psychology studies show that “positive change can be inspiring, further motivating you to continue to pursue that best version of yourself.”
I wish everyone luck with their transferring journey! If you want to join the Bearcat family on your journey, check out the university’s fantastic transfer opportunities here!
Pictured above from left to right: Hannah White '24, Scarlett Catanzaro '24, Lilibeth Castillo '23, and Alivia Garcia '23 enjoy Chicago during the Literary Interest Society trip in the spring of 2023.
