Being a new face on campus is something that most people associate with freshman. You’re not a freshman. It’s intimidating being a sophomore, junior or even a senior on campus and not recognizing anything. Being a transfer student you have to deal with many challenges. Adjusting may be difficult but it’s not impossible. Here are some of my tips to get you through those long nights of studying, awkward moments of feeling lost and the daily struggles of being a transfer student.

• Time Management!

            My first tip for transfers is time management. Get a planner, set reminders in your phone, have a dry erase board in your room. Find a way to manage your time. Keep track of what you need to complete and when you can get it done. This will make your adjustment process much easier.

I know transfer students who have to take extra credits to catch up on requirements. They explained to me how they live and die by their planner. Plus, having good time management will eliminate stress. Giving you plenty of time to stress about what I think is the more important aspect of college, what you’re going to eat for dinner.

• Get Involved on Campus

            With great time management, you’ll have plenty of time to get involved with student life. This is my second tip for you. Show school pride. Be active. Trust me, this will make your experience so much better. Go to sporting events, join clubs, be social and you’ll be amazed how easy it is to meet people. Nichols College is filled with many activities outside of clubs and sports too. Almost every day we have events on campus that bring together people from our community.

I have firsthand experience with getting involved on campus. My junior year I “volunteered” to be a part of a campus tradition called Mr. Nichols. A male competition where I had to dance, have a talent and answer questions in front of the whole school. I haven’t felt more out of place in my life. I almost backed out when the nerves and regret kicked in. However, I buried my embarrassment deep down and convinced myself to go through with it. I not only had a great time participating but I made new friends that I still hang out with today.

• Enjoy Yourself

            My final tip is to leave some time out of your day and do what is best for you. Enjoy some you time. Take a step back and relax. It’s just as important as the paper you have to write that’s due at midnight. If you love the gym, then make time to go. If you have a favorite show to watch then take an hour out of your day to watch it. And if you’re like me and just enjoy scrolling through social media and listening to music, then treat yourself. It is amazing how much this will change your experience at college. You will get through the difficulties of being a transfer and have the college experience you’ve imagined.