MARISSA BURR
Special to The Leader
For many high school students, May 1 is known as “Decision Day,” where they let the world know what path they’ve decided to follow once they’re given that diploma. At 18, you think you know the direction in which your life is going, and it’s all thanks to that college, university or job that is displayed across the shirt you’re wearing.
Three years ago — from the comfort of my own home due to the pandemic, of course — I was dead set on earning an early childhood education degree from Canisius College. It seemed a guarantee that by the spring of 2024 I would be crossing that stage in Buffalo and heading into my own classroom by the fall.
With that in mind, I packed up my prom photos, colored pencils and heart and headed on the way.
Well, as a current writing major at SUNY Fredonia, one can read between the lines and guess that those plans didn’t work out.
It took a dorm room, three apartments, some roommates so evil they’ve come straight out of a crime show and a lot of minimum wage jobs, but I finally knew it was time to leave Buffalo.
I decided to transfer back to my hometown college back in January, and that was not an easy choice — something that isn’t always the case for my fellow transfer students. I wasn’t unhappy with the school or the people I’d met, quite the opposite actually as the staff of the newspaper there was like my little family. The campus community I was a part of was caring and supportive, and the thought of not necessarily having that at a new institution was terrifying.
In the end, my main reason for transferring was a bit clichè but all too real of an issue for college students everywhere: money. I needed to attend a school that wouldn’t bankrupt me before I could even rent a car. So back to the streets of my childhood I went.
I’d never looked into any state schools when applying for colleges, so I had no idea what to expect from Fredonia. I knew the campus well enough on the outside from growing up here, but the inner workings of the campus culture was a mystery to me and that was very intimidating.
Luckily enough for future transfers, the staff at the university was extremely helpful. Within just a couple of emails, I was able to get a meeting scheduled with my future academic advisor to get a full rundown of the curriculum. I received a lot of information about financial aid and the whole transfer process from other people as well, which was a relief because it can be really overwhelming to just take it all in by yourself.
I’m a planner, and if my life isn’t color-coded and annotated, it could send me into a spiral. I was able to access the information necessary in order to have my schedule planned out before registration was even open, thanks to the prompt and in-depth responses I got from every department I contacted.
If you’re ever overwhelmed with the transfer process to Fredonia, I highly suggest reaching out to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to do so. It is the staff’s job to answer them and help out. They’d rather students begin their schooling at Fredonia confident than lost.
Ignoring the difficulties that come with financial forms, transcripts and transferring national grid accounts from one apartment to another, transfers are forced to leave everything they know behind in hopes of continuing their education.
I’m lucky enough to be comfortable in the town I’m moving to, yet I could’ve sworn three years ago I would never live here again. Even a year ago I even would’ve bet money that nothing could happen to bring me back.
Leaving my friends at “The Griffin,” Canisius’ student newspaper — hi guys! If you’re reading this, thanks for your continued support –– was such a hard decision and I was worried that joining new campus organizations would be too uncomfortable. But, I was lucky enough to reach out to the staff of The Leader and be met with unending support.
When classes start in August, I’m walking in with friends and a built-in support group and all because I took the brave step to reach out.
So to all of my transfer students, current and future, that are reading this: find your group. The college we’re starting at has 3,000 people trying to find their way too.
It’s human nature to find your niche, and it’s only possible once you step outside of your comfort zone. As a sappy quote found on Google says, “strangers are friends you haven’t met.” Go out and make some beautiful new friends.
Don’t be afraid to break away from everything you know. Think back to the bright-eyed senior that walked the stage to get their high school diploma. Their future was so different from the reality you’re living now, and no one could’ve predicted it. You’ve been at a crossroads before, and it’s all ended up okay. Life has handed you this opportunity to start a new chapter. Take the pen, and start writing.