New Bearings: A Guide for Transfer Students 2020

TRANSITIONING TO WASHU COMING FROM A LARGE, PUBLIC INSTITUTION When I first transferred to WashU, classes were suddenly much smaller, walks across campus much shorter, and the seas of people crowding the sidewalks during break times much more navigable. Additionally, I found classes at WashU were quite a bit more demanding than my previous school, and they required I come well-prepared and ready to participate every day. I have found this extra work is well worth it. These smaller settings give you a chance to engage in discussions and debates with other students, and even the professors, who will challenge your understanding of the world. The smaller classroom setting also offers a great way to start meeting other students, especially those in your major or areas of interest. I realized very quickly after arriving on campus I would run into even these few classmates or the other people I had met quite often. Coming from a large university where I rarely encountered the same person twice in a week, it was a nice feeling to recognize other students just by walking around. This has even come to be one of my favorite aspects of WashU—the close-knit student body giving the campus a very friendly and comfortable feel.

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