I am from Massena, NY, a small Upstate New York town where it is very easy to find a good college close to home. We have four neighboring colleges in the area: SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, New York, all within 45 minutes’ drive. At 16 years old as a junior in high school, I decided I wanted to go to college early to get a start on the next chapter of my schooling and professional career. I applied and was accepted into the early college program at SUNY Potsdam, and – without taking any other colleges into consideration – I accepted my offer and moved to campus in the fall of 2022, in lieu of my senior year of high school. I had excelled in art classes during my high school years and decided to major in studio art.

Reconsidering My College Decision and Transferring to Clarkson

During the second semester of college, I started having doubts about the program and my choice of school. I was struggling to make friends and connect with my professors; the culture just didn’t feel like the right fit for me. I was also reconsidering my major… my classes had been a combination of art and general education, and I was having doubts about a career in either.

I started talking with my family about my concerns, and they suggested looking into Clarkson University. My brother graduated from Clarkson in 2021 as an engineering major. I looked into all Clarkson’s Programs, and I found Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the David D. Reh School of Business. By the end of spring semester of my freshman year, I had made the decision to transfer to Clarkson University. My admissions counselor walked me through everything, making the transfer application process very easy and painless, and helping me transfer all of my credits from my previous school toward my business degree here.

I started classes at Clarkson in fall of 2022. The atmosphere at Clarkson was drastically different from the atmosphere at my previous school despite the colleges being five minutes apart. I immediately felt meaning in every class, and I could see how the content I was learning was going to be helpful in my professional career. I have always been an introvert, and coming from a school where no one talked to me, I was nervous to have to start all over again. The students at Clarkson were extremely welcoming, and I had many new friends within the first few days of classes.

Embracing Academic Challenges and Finding My Path

I immediately realized the coursework at this school was more challenging and would push me to grow as a student. I needed more challenging academics, and Clarkson provided the perfect amount. Plus, I loved the emphasis on hands-on learning and teamwork. My coursework is rigorous, but there are so many academic support services and resources around campus for students. There’s basically a tutoring center in every building on campus, so I always had somewhere to go when I needed extra help.

Once I started classes here, I knew what I wanted to do after college. I am currently taking courses at Charleston School of Interior Design to get my certification while finishing my innovation and entrepreneurship major and marketing minor at Clarkson. After college, I plan to move to Charleston to finish my interior design certificate and then start my own interior design business. I found a career path that embraces my artistic talents and my love for business. Clarkson even has amazing opportunities for business majors, one where you can pitch your business idea to investors and get funding to help you start and grow that business.

Building Relationships and Life Skills

I started building relationships across campus instantly. I joined women’s club volleyball, women’s club basketball and the barbell club after attending the Club Fair. Everyone on campus was welcoming, groups were accepting of new members, and now I can say I have made many lifelong friends. I’ve come out of my shell since starting at Clarkson. Joining these clubs forced me to open up and socialize more. Coming in as a second-year transfer student, a lot of the people I met had already established friend groups, but I never once had a problem integrating myself – everyone was open to including me.

I was able to gain many new skills because of my transfer experience. I gained study skills and learned how to manage my time. Taking more challenging courses, I had to figure out how to get all my work done on time while balancing my social life. I learned to open up to new people and experiences, and now I’m less introverted. I feel comfortable talking to new people and trying new things around campus and in life.

As I start my senior year this fall, I can look back and think of all the positives this school has offered me. I have found so many lifelong friend groups, been able to excel in challenging courses, and I have found a community that accepted me. Every challenge I have run into during this process has made me a stronger individual.

My tips for transfer students

Transferring colleges is a big step, but it can be incredibly rewarding. If you’re considering transferring colleges, I have a few pointers:

• Make sure the new college has the programs and resources you need.
• Talk to current students or alumni to get the inside scoop on what it’s really like.
• Keep track of important deadlines for applications and credit transfers; you don’t want any surprises there.
• Visit the campus and get a feel for the community there.
• Once you transfer, get involved in clubs or activities to meet people and start building your new social network.
• Lastly, stay positive and be patient with yourself—adjusting to a new place takes time, but it’s worth the effort.

I was always scared of change growing up; I told myself I didn’t want to transfer, I wanted to pick the perfect school on the first try. Sometimes things don’t go as planned and it pushes you to try new things. This experience was rewarding for me. Transferring schools is more than just a change of scenery, it’s a chance to discover yourself and unlock new opportunities.