There is a persistent myth that winners never quit any project they begin. The truth, though, is that all successful pe ople ha ve likely changed paths multiple times. When one approach becomes impossible, they find a new way to work toward their long-term goals.
If your current college is not the rewarding experience that you had hoped it would be, do not throw your hard work away. Instead, regroup and shift focus to a new school that matches your desires.
[Here are 10 things prospective college transfer students need to know.]
1. Identify the issue: If you intend to transfer colleges, first identify why your current school does not suit you. Are your problems academic, social or a mixture of the two?
In regard to academics, your issue may be a college that is insufficiently challenging or too difficult. If you are setting the curve in all your classes, it may be time to locate an environment that will push you to succeed.
Higher education, after all, is not just about earning a diploma — it is about building the strongest possible set of tools. To do this, you need a school that challenges you.
On the other hand, if you are consistently struggling in your courses, even after you have worked on your study skills and visited your professors during office hours, you may benefit from a college that is a better fit for you. Just as a school that is too easy will never hone your skills, an overly difficult college will blunt your efforts at improvement.
However, make sure you discuss these concerns with one of your professors or academic advisers before you make any rash decisions. Professors and advisers can help you determine whether or not your course load is a typical one, and this can help guide your search appropriately to meet your goals.
It is also possible that you have discovered a passion for a subject that your present school is ill-prepared to nurture. Some colleges, for instance, have a phenomenal track record at placing students in law schools, medical schools or specific graduate programs. A timely transfer may spare you a year of additional coursework in order to draw even with your competition.
If your unhappiness is due to social reasons, set aside time to pinpoint the exact causes. If you are an introvert attending a large state school, you may find that a smaller college is more amenable to your needs. Knowing precisely what is wrong is the first step in finding a new path toward your goals.
[Explore colleges with the most transfer students.]
2. Gather data: Next, make a list of both the positive and negative features of your current school. Compare that list to the attributes you were hoping for when you first applied.
You may find that certain aspects are more or less important than you once imagined. Did it turn out that attending a small college in a rural town was too dull? Were you often lost living in a large city far from home? Use this knowledge to guide your search for a new school.
Use your grades as data points too. Speak with your professors about your performance.
Even if you did poorly in a class, do not be embarrassed to ask for advice. Many professors have extensive professional networks at a wide array of colleges. They will likely be happy to help you find a school that is well suited to your needs.
Instructors or other professionals at your on-campus services — such as career center representatives, counselors, teaching assistants and others — can also help if your unhappiness is due to social factors. At the very least, even if they cannot make specific recommendations, they should be able to assist you in defining your transfer search terms.
[Discover four tips to make transferring colleges easier.]
3. Leverage your current experiences: Do not write off your current college experience as a loss. After all, if you visit a prospective transfer school, you will have a better idea of the truly important questions to ask. Take your list of positive and negative features with you, and quiz your contacts to see how many apply.
You can also review your current college’s marketing materials. Compare them to your actual experience. Use these discrepancies to closely evaluate the marketing materials that the schools on your short list provide. If you are hoping to join a particularly studious campus, you will now know to ask current students about their homework habits.
As you work through these steps, put together a list of three or four target colleges. With your past experiences in hand, you should have a much clearer idea of which school will be best for you.
Do not worry so much about reach or safety designations this time around. With less admissions uncertainty, you can go straight for a school that is the best fit. And remember, there is no shame in forging a new path.
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3 Steps to Find the Best College as a Transfer Student originally appeared on usnews.com
