I WILL always remember my first visit to the University. I recently had been accepted as a transfer student from Syracuse University, so I drove to Charlottesville for summer orientation. It was Sunday night and orientation did not begin until Monday morning, so I decided to stroll around Grounds. After walking aimlessly for an hour or so I wanted desperately to explore the Lawn. Sadly, I could not muster up the courage to do so. The Academical Village is a beautiful home, but it lacks an entrance with a welcome mat. Upon entry to the Lawn, I feared that bow-tied guards in faded orange hats would whisk me away and expel me from the Grounds, recognizing me as an invader from another university. I could not get these fears out of my mind, so I turned around and walked back to my car. I left the Grounds that night without stepping foot on the Lawn.
Clearly these fears were misconceived, and I realized this quickly the next morning. Transferring to the University is full of misconceptions. I am sure you have all kinds of ideas in your mind of how people will judge you and how out of place you will feel. The sooner you dispel these misconceptions, the smoother your transition will be. Better yet, let me dispel some of them for you:
I am not a "real" U.Va. student. This is how I felt my entire first semester on Grounds. I believed I was just borrowing time here from the real Wahoos, much like a visiting professor. This is simply not true. You are as deserving and as true-blue as any other student on Grounds. You just took a twisted path to get here.
Everyone else here knows each other. They don't. While everyone may appear to have a set social scene, few truly do. Many students in their second and third years are still carving out their social niche. Indeed, most U.Va. students make new friends throughout their four years at the University. You will find it easier than you expected to make friends. However, in order to do so, you will have to be outgoing. You've missed out on first year, when everyone is smiling and exchanging hometowns and majors. You will not find a random party invitation in your mailbox. However, if you put yourself out and make an attempt to meet people, they will appreciate this and want to get to know you.
I have "transfer" tattooed on my forehead. You don't stick out. Nobody will know you're a transfer student unless you tell them. Refrain from introducing yourself as a transfer. The more at home you feel, the more people will treat you like a native.
I am alone. Over 500 students transfer to U.Va. every year. One out of every seven students at the University is a transfer. Think about that while walking around Grounds.
I missed the opportunity to get involved. It is never too late to get involved at U.Va. Students here try new and different activities every year. I recommend participating in as many activities as early as possible. Even if you don't stick with those particular organizations, you will meet and become friends with those who share your interests.
Nobody cares about my old university. Actually, this one is true. I find this to be one of the most amusing aspects of transfer life. No matter how exciting the story that I am telling is, as soon as I mention Syracuse, everyone instantaneously loses interest. If it didn't happen in Old Dorms, they don't care.
Hopefully this column has quelled some of your fears about transferring. The sooner you forget your old school, and the sooner you stop considering yourself different from all those around you, the more at home you will feel. So keep your head up, and enjoy your time at the University. You have a wonderful four, err, two or three years ahead of you.
(Micah Schwartz is Student Council president.)
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