From one transfer to another

Get involved on your transfer school’s campus, and you’ll make friends and feel at home in no time

The first time I heard the word “transfer,” I immediately began thinking of all the ways it could go wrong. What if I didn’t meet anyone? What if my roommate didn’t like me? What if I didn’t get into any good classes? Before I knew it, I was incredibly nervous about jumping into another college.

The first day of orientation came, and the president was there to greet us. I’ll never forget the advice he gave: “Get involved in activities you enjoy—the rest will fall into place.”

It sounded like something everyone will tell you to do. Well, I found out that the reason everyone will tell you to do is because…it works!

I started searching for activities and organizations. I looked up the times for the club crew team, the English club, the ski and snowboard club and the psychology club.

I spent the next week sitting in on the meetings for each organization and getting a feel for what I liked and disliked. And I wasn’t the only new person in these clubs; new members joined every semester.

To this day, I remain a part of the English and crew club, and have recently taken up positions in other activities I didn’t even know existed when I transferred.

I’ve met some of my best friends by getting involved on campus. Learning to network and meet new people through a shared interest or talent is a great tool to help with your future.

I’m not saying that it’s always easy to jump into a new environment and feel completely comfortable. It is a process, and it takes time. But luckily, you’re not alone. Taking advantage of orientation activities allowed me to bond with other new students who were probably feeling just as nervous and uncertain as I was.

Keep an open mind and put yourself out there, and you’re bound to create your perfect college experience.

Sarah Girouard is an English major and psychology minor at SUNY Geneseo.

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From one transfer to another

Get involved on your transfer school’s campus, and you’ll make friends and feel at home in no time

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