Think Twice Before Transferring

Thinking about transferring?  Before making the commitment to change schools, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.

Photo from Flickr.com, by James Sarmiento

If love is your primary motive for transferring, ask yourself first whether you would be happy at your new school if your relationship were to end.  Relocating for a significant other can lead to a lot of pressure and resentment if the relationship ends up being unsuccessful.  Besides, with summer breaks and a few weekend visits, it’s possible to keep a strong relationship going without making irreversible changes in your life.

If it’s not your significant other you’re missing but your family, think twice before filling out a transfer application.  Most students go through a period of homesickness at the beginning of their college experience.  The pain of separation and feelings of isolation can be overpowering.  Realize, though, that part of college is learning how to live on your own.  Often, it just takes getting involved in campus activities, being more outgoing, and focusing on schoolwork to help you through the adjustment period.

Maybe it’s not something you’re missing but something you’re dealing with at your current location that is bothering you.  Many students complain about their roommate or  professors during their first semester of college, and wonder whether they would be better off elsewhere.  These problems, however, are temporary.  I would wager that every residential college in the nation has poor roommates and the occasional less-than-stellar professor.  If you and your roommate quarrel or can’t agree on anything, you could talk to an RA about changing rooms.  If your professor doesn’t appeal to you, ask around for information about professors before registering next semester.  Though it may seem like the end of the world now, don’t make the rash decision to transfer based on an impermanent problem.

On the other hand, there are many valid reasons for looking into other universities.   If your financial situation has changed, talk to your family and a financial aid officer.  If things don’t improve and you need to explore less costly options, transferring may become necessary.  Maybe family obligations have come up, and it makes more sense to be close to home.  If this is the case, try talking to your dean about a leave of absence before deciding to take the leap.

Other valid reasons for transferring may involve attributes of the school that didn’t match up with your expectations.  Maybe the social situation isn’t working for you or you feel your classes aren’t challenging enough. If you feel your classes are no more difficult than they were in high school, or you were looking for a more vibrant social scene, maybe there’s a better university out there for you.