Transferring in: Finding your place faster than you think
Transferring to a new school is a weird feeling. You’re not a freshman, yet everything still feels brand new. Everyone else seems like they have their routines, their people and their places, while you’re still trying to figure out where you fit into all of it.
For me, I began my college career at a small community college, so making the jump to a university that has nearly 40,000 undergraduate students felt overwhelming.
What made the transition easier were the programs and resources that University Housing offered, which helped ease my mind and made the whole process feel more manageable.
For starters, choosing University Housing is much simpler than apartment hunting. Deadlines are later, contracts are just for the school year instead of being a full calendar year and finding roommates is not a hassle. Living in a residence hall provides more structure that limits the number of decisions you have to make as an incoming transfer.
Opportunities to Get Connected
Once you move in, there are a wide range of Housing programs and events across campus. From bingo nights to self-care workshops, University Housing offers plenty of opportunities to meet other people in the community and make the adjustment easier.
You can check out the Housing events calendar or the biweekly Housing Insider newsletter to stay up to date on everything happening!
In my experience, I became closest with the people on my floor. I lived in Wassaja, which is designed in a pod-style layout, with five bedrooms grouped together in one cluster. These were the people I saw almost every day on my way to class or in the dining halls, so naturally we grew closer over time.
My RA was extremely helpful when it came to answering questions about anything. He lived right next door, which isn’t as intimidating as it might sound, and I would never hesitate to knock on his door.
Additionally, the Illini Transfer Ambassadors offer programs designed for transfer students that make the adjustment smoother. They host events ranging from billiards and bowling to speed friending, giving you the chance to meet others who are in the same position.
I would also recommend the mentor/mentee program offered by New Student & Family Experiences, which connects you with a mentor on campus who can help guide you through the first few weeks. Having that connection right off the bat makes the process feel much easier.
Advice for Transfer Students
To incoming transfers, here is my advice as someone who was once in your shoes. First, say yes to as many things as you possibly can. See a flyer on the bulletin board about a local concert? Go. Your randomly assigned roommate asks you to go with them to grab dinner? Do it.
Each time you say yes, it adds to your experience on campus and builds relationships that will last beyond your time here.
Next, don’t expect everything to be perfect the minute you arrive. Give yourself time to adjust to your environment and allow yourself grace when things feel overwhelming. It’s okay to take a step back and allow yourself to breathe in the middle of it all.
And finally, choosing University Housing put me in a situation where I always had people around me without having to go out of my way to find them. This made it much easier to meet people, ask for help when I needed it and not feel alone in the process.
It might not feel like home right away, but where you live plays a big role in how quickly that changes. University Housing gave me the community and structure I needed to settle in and feel like I belonged.
