Transferring During an Unprecedented Pandemic

Unfamiliar to Comfortable

Transferring during an unprecedented pandemic.

by RORY KANE graphics by DANNY KAHN

irst came the F final shot. But when I got into her new year at her persistent feelings my letter of acceptance new school during COVID, of out-of-placeness in my telling me I had the option I can genuinely say it does supposed “home away from of bettering my college get better. home” that never went away experience, I knew deep despite many academic down what the right I remember my first night and social successes. Next decision was. here on campus vividly. was the excessive nudging The dorm was quiet - no from my mom to “just Nonetheless, those doors were open, no one fill out applications” - thoughts, doubts, and in and out of rooms. It felt while reminding me that worries persisted when I incredibly barren. While she regrets not growing arrived at SU. When people I understood the reason the balls to transfer say transferring won’t be (global pandemic and all), when she was in college easy, they aren’t kidding. I quickly became anxious to justify her constant In my first week here, I that this may have been bombardment (thank god probably cried 20 times the wrong time to transfer she did, though). Then it was - and trust me, I’m not to another school. I can “Congratulations! You have exaggerating. speak for most transfers been admitted to Syracuse when I say the first few University!” And now, here As college students, we all days you are secondI am, during my sophomore know how it feels to be a guessing yourself which Spring semester, starting all lonely newbie in a foreign is entirely normal. You over again. setting figuring yourself were once so comfortable out. Now imagine doing and knowledgeable of Well, a lot happened in that all over again, except one campus. You had between those events, take away the vibrant connections, schedules, obviously. There was doubt energy exuded by most go-to restaurants - and about leaving my friends of your fellow freshmen, now that is all gone, and and sorority behind, pro- and pile on a year-long’s you are once again facing con lists comparing two worth of memories and a sea of unknowns. It’s schools that are polar friendships that you carry terrifying, to say the least. I opposites of each other, from your old school. was constantly wondering and too many “what-if’’ Meanwhile, we’re in if the happiness was worth hypothetical scenarios the middle of a global giving up the comfort and keeping me from pulling the pandemic so let’s add that familiarity. trigger. The first step was to the mountain of reasons just filling out applications. as to why transferring is Well, I suppressed that Once I hit the submit one of the hardest things a feeling quickly along with button, I temporarily put college kid can go through. my tears that left my eyes them out of my mind and Although, even as a red and splotchy as a result tried to give my school one transfer only two months

of saying goodbye to my parents, as I needed to focus on getting ready to go meet my best friend and his friends that go to SU as well. “Thank god I know someone,” I remember thinking. But, as you could assume, the social event wasn’t exhilarating. There was no huge house with a bunch of people like I had heard Syracuse is known for, and I have yet to experience anything close to that.

While I would say joining clubs or talking to people in class is a great way to meet new people, COVID, of course, has taken that away. Zoom club meetings and sitting nine chairs away from people during class aren’t precisely gateways to making a new friend. And honestly, I don’t really have an answer for what a transfer should do to better their chances of meeting people during a global pandemic because I really do feel stuck in that area.

What I can say, however, is that this was a great time to fully explore my new campus and make up for the time I lost. In the first few days at SU, I made it a point to walk the entire campus. Not only did I become familiar with the campus in a short amount of time by doing so, but it also made me feel less intimidated; It was one less unfamiliar thing. However, one of the hardest things to do unaccompanied is have dinner, especially in the dining hall where you see groups of friends enjoying their time while you’re feeling like an outcast. That’s just a hard no. So, at least the one positive thing about COVID is saving myself from the embarrassment of eating dinner alone because the dining halls are closed.

This simply is not college. And coming into a new school where the social life, academic potential, and school spirit are nowhere near its best is truly discouraging. But, as we all know, these are unusual times that will not last. And, as many transfers fortunately also know, when you are in the right place, you will simply know it. Even though Syracuse isn’t currently holding highspirited sporting events, there aren’t that many students sitting on the quad on the warm days, and classes are beyond isolating, I am already in love with this school and I feel in my gut that this is where I am supposed to be. So, if you’re a transfer student enduring the extra hard task of acclimating to a new school during this pandemic, or if you’re contemplating whether or not to transfer, my two cents is: the struggle is worth it. Transferring is one of those decisions, obviously, for which you have to weigh your options. But trust me, the loneliness and confusion will feel so minuscule in comparison to the relieving feeling of finally being in your place once you just take that leap.

I wish I had a distinct happy ending for you where I say I have met life-long friends, and I have fully established myself, and it was all the right decision. While I know that will be the ending I tell, I am still finding my footing at Syracuse, even two months in. Instead of stressing that I may fail, I am letting life happen to me. Cutting yourself slack is essential when it comes to transferring. So when you catch yourself stressing about what you haven’t accomplished yet, relish in the fact that you are finally at a school where you feel you belong and congratulate yourself. Not everyone is emboldened to transfer, so props to you for taking a risk to better your life. One of my favorite inspirational quotes is, “tough times never last, but tough people do.” Transferring is such a tough time. And if you chose to push yourself into that better direction by transferring, you are without a doubt a tough person and will last through this, during a global pandemic or not.