What advice do you have for transfer students?

For many students, the first stop on their college career is not always their last. Whether you are starting off at a community college or going from one four year institution to another - there is a large population of students that transfer before graduation.

If you are currently enrolled in a community college, take advantages of the resources they offer. Most schools have a transfer department right on campus and they will be able to help you pick a best fit school.
Since you already have class experience, you should have more of an idea regarding the type of school you wish to attend, in or out of state, choice of major, etc.You can also use resources such as The College Board's Big Future search to determine what you are or are not looking for in a school. Some community colleges also offer transfer fairs in the fall as well as visits from various colleges so students can speak directly to an admissions counselor.

If you are already attending a 4 year school and would like to transfer somewhere else, you will want to take similar steps. Although a 4 year school may not have the same on campus visits, you will still have an advisor who may be able to help you get the process going.

No matter where you begin you college career, the most important thing is - get involved. Unfortunately four year schools don't have the same pomp & circumstance for transfer students as they do for first time freshmen, but there are still opportunities to start making connections. Sometimes they host an activities fair so you can see different clubs and organizations or you can look for event posters and bulletins to see what is going on. If you live on campus, as friends in your dorm or the RA. Talk about your interests so you can make the most out of your experience!

• Elizabeth Coccia

Hi Vera! Thanks for submitting a question. Are you trying to decide whether to transfer or not or have you transferred schools?

Whether you're trying to decide or whether you have transferred, I would suggest to join a club and get involved on campus! Most schools at the beginning of the academic year have involvement fairs or an adviser could help you find different programs to join. When I went to college, I was nervous about making friends, finding my group of people. I joined three different organizations when I first got to campus and found amazing friends through them!

I had a friend from college that did not like our school his first semester, but instead of transferring he stayed one more semester. He joined a club, and found his best friends--a reason to stay! So if you've done this and you don't think your best friends or you don't think the program for your major is working for you, then I would consider transferring. It really depends on what you want and you have to make the decision for yourself.

Overall, my advice would be to join a club and get involved on campus! Hope this helps and good luck!

Spend a lot of time asking questions and observing. It's not only functionally productive, but it ingratiates you to the folks around you. People appreciate your trying to learn about them, whether they admit it or not, and it pays dividends in your being able to understand the environment and the folks. Be cautious in jumping into situations until you're familiar and comfortable. Don't be shy about asking for advice. It'll also give you a support base of friendly folks.

You will need to focus on stress and time management. In order to manage stress you have to manage your time wisely. <span style="background-color: transparent;">You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.</span>