Transfer Into Your Life

I am no stranger to moving. My father was a banker, he was transferred all over the world. Being new was nothing out of the ordinary to me in fact I loved it because I loved meeting new people. When it came to colleges nothing was different. I was the only one in my graduating class to travel alone all the way to Florida from New Jersey. Starting as a freshman at Jacksonville University, I began with the class of 2008.We all were new learning the college life and what it meant to be free. Some more than others experienced college life by engaging in fraternity parties and joining sororities. I embraced the social aspect of school, for me it was like high - school but with a beach. I went to, Morristown Beard-School a small private school where most would agree you paid to pass. After two years at Jacksonville University, I left, decided to work and figure life. Hoping to figure something out.
I got restless and moved back to New Jersey where I took some classes at the local college where again among many people I was new and older than most of the students. Spending three years working in New Jersey it was time to finish my degree, which then brought up transferring into a four year school. Again being no stranger to being new, this time was different, I was older, new, and moved knowing only the few people I still kept in contact with in Jacksonville. All my other years of moving or transferring I never did it alone. When I was younger transferring to Singapore American School or to Woodrow Wilson Elementary, they would pair you up with a partner, showing me around and introducing me to their circle of friends. Classes stayed in one room. In college you have that immediate connection with your roommate. Transferring into Flagler College is new ground.
Transferring this time is a lot different especially mid-school year. I find it harder because students go from class to class with classmates that have similar schedules. Also on a college campus you are dealing with a hundred or more student coming and going. Students have already built their relationships with each other through various opportunities. I joined Flagler College mid-year as a Junior. Junior and Senior year are busy quick and important years, everyone has their own stresses about graduating on time. By now most have a routine about their school day.
Its all about routine also, and up to you to branch out. My experience after getting settled and seeing the unfamiliar faces become familiar made it easier to put yourself out there. In any new situation is about putting yourself out there and seeing who responds. I found that when you do everyone responds and that’s when the friendships form. It is only a matter of time until you feel part of your campus community. No one can prepare you for being a transfer student and there are a few tips of how to ease into the community. Getting involved in student activities is also a good idea but there is still that problem of breaking in. Take a look at the calendar of events pick a few that seem interesting. There are no “cliques” and nobody is not going to talk to you. Orientation is not much help because it is combined with incoming freshmen. Orientation is more meant for familiarizing yourself with the school.
This happens all across the world, and colleges should think of introducing a transfer club or some sorts of organization which can include current and past transfer students. I am not complaining because I have settled in, have adjusted well but for the first couple of weeks it would have been easier to be able to share the experience along side someone who also was adjusting. After being acclimated to Flagler College it becomes a place of comfort and while it takes time you are not alone. This also carries into the work force and the sooner you get comfortable putting yourself into new situations the more adjusted you become. This process is not easy but it gets easier.

Carolyn Adams