When I drove up to the Towson University (towson.edu) campus for the first time, the air was crisp and the sun was shining bright, but a mixed cloud of melancholy and anxiety caressed my soul.

Questions of uncertainty continued to boggle my mind. Would I fit in with everyone else? Would I be challenged by the curriculum? I began to feel a bit overwhelmed and nervous because I was embarking on a new journey—one that only transfer students experience.

Attaining self-confidence and celebrating my accomplishments as a college student became my first priorities and my biggest challenges.

Purchasing books from the university bookstore wasn’t as difficult as maneuvering around a campus with 15,000 other students. But my enthusiasm and desire to establish connections with my peers was never-ending. I joined organizations such as The International Student Association and CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ). As a result of getting involved, I attained a sense of comfort knowing that I could share my ideas about various topics and introduce my cultural background.

In addition to participating in extracurricular activities as a transfer student, I began to strive to establish close relationships with my professors by participating in class discussions and asking thought-provoking questions. I thought this would eventually increase my self-confidence and create a beneficial networking and support system.

That decision proved to be worthwhile when I requested academic reference letters for an internship.

Being a transfer student was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Realize that fitting in should not be your goal. Aim to share your unique talents and skills; they are bound to be acknowledged and appreciated.

Chrissy Diakokomninos, 24, is a senior at Towson University. Diakokomninos is from Baltimore, Md.