Understanding the Transfer Bug

Mid-November. The first frost, brisk hikes, pumpkin spice everything, upcoming holidays, and first-year college students considering whether or not they made the right choice. When I was the dean of first-year students at Colgate University (2001-2014), the months of October and November were bustling with a multitude of activities and events, just like any other college or university in the country. Good fun. Then the first round of major papers and pesky midterms kicked into high gear. Stress for new students. Between October break and Thanksgiving recess, my calendar filled up fast with conversations that often began with “I shouldn’t be here” or “I can’t cut it.” Those students were talking about cutting it both academically and socially, and several inquired about how to transfer. My response? “Let’s pump the brakes and review the past several weeks together.”

A common thread in these conversations was the notion that college was not what they expected. Some had grand ideas of a perfect life on campus, complete with instant best friends, the same high grades achieved in high school, a robust social life, and maybe even a spot on an athletic team. Social media channels have exacerbated the issue as students compare their experience to those of their high school friends at other colleges. Everyone appears to be having a blast, right? Not really. And sure, there were roommate issues - sharing space can be a challenge. And we’ve all experienced and survived homesickness - thankfully it is a temporary feeling.  While each individual student received my full analysis of their own unique situation, my consistent response was, “Ten weeks does NOT define your college experience.” Give it a little more time. Trust the process that selected you. Complete the year - definitely complete the fall semester. Let’s explore some possible next steps together and come up with a manageable plan for the spring.

To gain further insight on the “transfer bug” that hits a campus this time of year, I talked with a few very successful Colgate alums who struggled in the first semester for a variety of reasons. One readily admitted that he coasted a bit in high school and was not accepted to most of his top choices – he felt stuck. When he realized that Colgate wanted him and that he had earned his spot, this guy got busy. “I had a major reality check and accepted that everything was in my control. I jumped in and worked my ass off, getting good grades, connecting with professors, and taking advantage of every academic and career exploration opportunity.” Another shared the advice he would give to his 18-year-old self about adjusting socially: “Do not allow your initial emotions dictate your decisions. Hit the pause button and worry less about gaining the approval of others – be yourself. And be patient. You will find your people.” He certainly did.

Frankly, a lot of problems arise because new students don’t know how to advocate for themselves. They understand that college is harder than high school, but some may face a steeper climb. Which is why there is a network of well-trained staff who are willing to provide guidance, support, and advice throughout a student’s time on campus, especially in the first year. One of the primary goals of a college education is helping students to become resilient, independent, and self-sufficient adults. To accomplish this, it is likely that a student may struggle from time to time in search of answers. That can be hard for parents who are watching from the sidelines. But swooping in and fixing things for students will deprive them of a valuable learning opportunity. A little bit of struggle often provides rich rewards, growth, and life lessons. And yes, watching them search for answers can be painful at times. Students have gone from a lot of structure to very little structure. Now they are the boss, making the choices. And the consequences of their choices will guide them. So . . . do not panic if your student comes home at Thanksgiving and shares thoughts about transferring. Hear them out. Listen, but don’t react right away. There is no harm in preparing transfer applications and exploring options – that is part of the decision-making process. Based on years of experience, I feel confident they will land in the right place.