Building Community for Transfer Students: Insights from Student Perspectives – PantherNOW

When I stepped onto the FIU campus as a transfer student last year, it felt like starting from scratch. I earned my Associate’s degree, applied to FIU, got accepted, and now I was at a much larger university. But it wasn’t as smooth as it seemed.

On my first day, I got lost three times looking for my classes. I even stopped a girl for directions. She smiled and asked, “Are you a freshman?” I hesitated but realized it didn’t matter. I finally found my class ten minutes late, feeling sweaty and embarrassed while hoping the professor wouldn’t notice.

It seemed like everyone else already knew where they belonged. The transition was glamorized, but I faced new expectations in a vast academic world, with most resources aimed at freshmen rather than transfers. What I really needed was a sense of community.

Transfer students deserve more than just a checklist; we need connection. My transition would have been smoother if FIU hosted events specifically for students like me. At a welcome event with mostly freshmen, I felt out of place, juggling my commute from home and a job while they reveled in dorm life.

FIU could make a difference by organizing events tailored to transfer students—those who want belonging, not icebreakers. Additionally, mentorship throughout the semester could be invaluable. A mentor who has navigated the transfer process can offer support, answer questions, and guide us to resources we might not know about.

It’s easy to feel lost, and all I ask is not to feel like an afterthought. FIU has great energy and resources, especially for freshmen, with dedicated offices, advisors, and mentors helping them adjust. But transfers need similar support.

Moving to a new school is more than a change of scenery; it’s a mental and emotional journey. Many transfers have to rebuild confidence that they never expected to lose. Though we’ll earn the same degree, the paths we take to get there are often very different.

According to a recent study from the National Student Clearinghouse, transfer students often experience lower retention rates than their peers. This highlights the need for universities to ensure that transfers have the same level of support as new students. By fostering a community and providing dedicated mentorship, universities like FIU can help transfer students feel as valued as anyone else.

In the end, it’s about creating an environment where all students feel they belong.

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opinion,Student perspective,Student Thoughts,Transfer,transfer student