I never thought that transferring schools would completely change and shape the person I am today. I am all for growing and maturing every year through what life brings me and learning from the challenges that I face. However, this semester, in particular, has shown me things that have allowed me to become stronger mentally and physically. Deciding to transfer colleges was one of the best I’ve ever made.
Check out my experience with transferring colleges, and take the risk.
Prior to transferring…
Before transferring to the University of Florida (UF) in August 2019, I attended Kennesaw State University (KSU) just above Atlanta, Georgia. Five hours away from home for the first time was a major change. I chose KSU because it was in-state and seemed like the “practical” choice. Though I am thankful for what I learned during my time at KSU; depression and anxiety got the best of me. I felt lonely, hopeless, and eager to find something new. I had no friends from home at KSU and was stuck with one roommate who was barely ever there. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best relationship. And she was extremely messy. In summary, there was a lot of miscommunication between us and it resulted in her unfollowing me on Instagram days after I moved out.
Applying to UF
I was honestly hopeless. All I could think about was how badly I wanted to transfer somewhere else and how I wanted to find people that I could connect with. After a lengthy discussion with my parents, I decide to apply for UF. UF had always been a dream school, but it was never actually reality because of the cost of out-of-state tuition. However, with loans, my parents deemed it possible. Flash forward to August, and I started my first semester at the University of Florida.
Similar to KSU, I knew absolutely no one at UF. However, I decided to go random on roommates when I signed an apartment complex called the Retreat. This is when I felt my life utterly transformed. My roommates Kendal, Sydney and Angela are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. After several months in my new home, I was a lot happier. I didn’t feel their amazing energy, love and acceptance at KSU. My anxiety is something that remains, but it is almost non-existent when these girls surround me. They took my focus off the stressors in my life. My depression has faded as well. These girls have transformed my life over the course of a few months. They bring positivity, laughter and love and that is something that I personally had not felt in a very long time, and I was finally hopeful.
I found what I was looking for
Being at UF has allowed me to finally be the person I so desperately wanted to be, and I believe I can continue to thrive. Now, I focus on school and my personal relationships with people more than I ever did before. While becoming friends with those three girls may not seem like much, it is a huge moment and lesson that will stay with me for a long time. I am a full believer that things happen for a reason and having relationships with people who want the best for you is so important. So, whether it’s transferring to a different school or meeting new roommates, I have discovered that putting your mental health first and taking steps to improve your mental health is an important lesson to learn.
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