Choosing the right college is an important decision in any young person’s life, and it’s one you want to make sure you get right. So what happens if you get it wrong and you want to transfer colleges?
That’s what happened to me. Long story short, after high school, I went to what I thought was my “dream school.” But throughout my freshman year, I experienced second thoughts. Had I made the right decision? Was this really the school for me?
Despite my efforts to give this school my best shot, my doubts lingered all year and only worsened. By the end of the year, there was no doubt in my mind that this place was absolutely not where I was meant to be.
Despite my efforts to give this school my best shot, my doubts lingered all year and only worsened. By the end of the year, there was no doubt in my mind that this place was absolutely not where I was meant to be.
The summer after that freshman year, I arranged to transfer colleges. And let me tell you, transferring to my alma mater was the best decision I ever made. My college was the perfect place for me and I was extremely happy, peaceful, and alive there.
If you’re considering whether you should transfer colleges, allow me to offer some guidelines. It’s a big decision that you must take seriously and give careful thought to. But who knows, it could turn out to be the best decision you ever make, just like it did for me.
1 . Examine your motives.
Why do you want to transfer colleges? Honestly ask yourself this question. Does another university have a particular program that is unavailable at your current one? Are you unhappy at your current school? If so, why?
Back when I was a freshman, my then-boyfriend already attended the school I wanted to (and ultimately did) transfer to. So when I expressed my desire to go there, many people thought it was only because I wanted to be with him.
While I knew that wasn’t the case, I still took time to carefully examine my heart and determine if this was actually my motive, deep down inside, for wanting to transfer colleges.
I can honestly say that truly was not why I wanted to transfer. In a nutshell, my real, honest-to-goodness reason for transferring was that I wanted to go to a Catholic college (which my former school was not). And for me, that was an excellent reason.
I can honestly say that truly was not why I wanted to transfer. In a nutshell, my real, honest-to-goodness reason for transferring was that I wanted to go to a Catholic college (which my former school was not). And for me, that was an excellent reason.
Take time to closely and carefully examine your motives and make sure they are serious and legitimate. Changing colleges is a big decision that will impact the rest of your life, so it’s certainly not one to make for superficial reasons.
2. Explore your options thoroughly.
2. Explore your options thoroughly.
When I was considering transferring, I scoured the websites of my prospective schools and read all the information I could find. I looked up school review websites like Rate My Professors to get inside perspectives on what the schools were really like. I made calls to the admissions offices to get answers to all my questions.
My mentality during this process was, “whichever school I transfer to, that’s where I’m going to stay.” College-hopping was not going to be an option – I was going to transfer colleges once, and that would be final.
I recommend adopting this same mentality. Do some honest, thorough research on the schools you’re considering so that you can make a well-informed decision. Weigh all the pros and cons of staying where you’re at versus transferring to somewhere new. Make sure that another school is really going to be a better fit for you than your current school.
3. Talk to people who can offer unbiased insight.
I recommend adopting this same mentality. Do some honest, thorough research on the schools you’re considering so that you can make a well-informed decision. Weigh all the pros and cons of staying where you’re at versus transferring to somewhere new. Make sure that another school is really going to be a better fit for you than your current school.
3. Talk to people who can offer unbiased insight.
I always find it helpful to talk through major decisions with other people, particularly trusted friends or family. When I was considering whether I should transfer colleges, since my family was not initially supportive of me, I knew I needed to seek out people who could provide me with honest, unbiased, and informative insight.
So I talked to a friend who was in my exact situation, so she totally understood where I was coming from. I called the admissions offices of the schools I was looking into and collected as many facts as possible. I talked to my best friend, whose opinion I value because she’s always honest and real with me.
Talking to other people, if you can, will help you immensely in examining your motives, weighing your options, and getting an outside perspective.
4. Take it to prayer.
So I talked to a friend who was in my exact situation, so she totally understood where I was coming from. I called the admissions offices of the schools I was looking into and collected as many facts as possible. I talked to my best friend, whose opinion I value because she’s always honest and real with me.
Talking to other people, if you can, will help you immensely in examining your motives, weighing your options, and getting an outside perspective.
4. Take it to prayer.
I prayed through my decision-making process every single day. My prayer was always, “God, I know I want to do. But if it’s not what you want me to do, please stop me in my tracks. But if it is what you want me to do, please make it happen and work it all out.”
And work it out He did. Seriously, everything just fell into place, from the major details to the littlest details. Suffice it to say that God made it abundantly clear that transferring to my alma mater was the path He wanted me to take.
Be prayerful about deciding whether to transfer colleges, because it’s a big decision and you want to make sure you’re following God’s will. Ask God to direct your steps, point you in the right direction, and lead you down the path He has laid out for you. Tell Him what your desires are, and ask Him to indicate whether or not He wants this for you.
Always make following God’s will your #1 goal and remember that God knows exactly what is best for you.
5. Make the decision that is best for you.
And work it out He did. Seriously, everything just fell into place, from the major details to the littlest details. Suffice it to say that God made it abundantly clear that transferring to my alma mater was the path He wanted me to take.
Be prayerful about deciding whether to transfer colleges, because it’s a big decision and you want to make sure you’re following God’s will. Ask God to direct your steps, point you in the right direction, and lead you down the path He has laid out for you. Tell Him what your desires are, and ask Him to indicate whether or not He wants this for you.
Always make following God’s will your #1 goal and remember that God knows exactly what is best for you.
5. Make the decision that is best for you.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to transfer colleges is your decision. It’s your education and your life, so therefore it’s your decision. Make it for yourself and for no one else.
I knew how much my parents didn’t want me to transfer colleges, but I also knew in my heart and gut that transferring was the right decision and I was ready to do it anyways. Thankfully, my parents had a change of heart and ended up being in full support of my transfer (one example of how God worked everything out for me).
I knew how much my parents didn’t want me to transfer colleges, but I also knew in my heart and gut that transferring was the right decision and I was ready to do it anyways. Thankfully, my parents had a change of heart and ended up being in full support of my transfer (one example of how God worked everything out for me).
But even still, my decision was mine and was only for me, because I knew through careful thought, prayer, research, and discernment that it was best for me.
Keep in mind that you’re an adult and that this is about your college education, and go from there. Some people in your life won’t understand your decision, or will disapprove of it, or will think all the wrong things because of it. But don’t let that get to you.
Keep in mind that you’re an adult and that this is about your college education, and go from there. Some people in your life won’t understand your decision, or will disapprove of it, or will think all the wrong things because of it. But don’t let that get to you.
You are responsible for your own happiness, and you know what you want. So make the decision that is best for you.
Are you considering transferring colleges? Did you transfer colleges? Why?
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