Did you know that 20% of undergraduates at The University of New Hampshire (UNH) are transfer students?
And yet, transfer students are often overlooked—something I, as a transfer myself, have experienced firsthand. We are expected to take our experiences from our past institutions and apply them to our new university environment quickly and easily. However this transition is far from smooth, and at UNH, there are few resources or events created specifically for transfers to navigate this change.
I transferred from a small liberal arts college of just under 3,000 students to UNH, a university of over 10,000 students. At my old school, I could name every campus celebrity and navigate every secret passageway. When I arrived at UNH, I knew only one person and became lost trying to find my lectures.
So, how are we to find our place here? I believe it is best to ask those who have already navigated the transition.
Let me introduce two other transfer students. Meet Mia, an ocean engineering major, and Leah, a data science major. Both transferred to UNH last spring.
“A lot of friendships, I feel, are built during freshman orientation and through freshman classes at the beginning of a student’s life at college … I always felt like I was intruding. I had friends from high school come, and while they included me as much as they could, it was hard to get out on my own and make my own friends. Lots of events are word of mouth, and school-run events are already attended by friend groups. I think it would be hard for UNH to help more than they did, but it was a lonely spring semester.” Leah agreed, saying that making friends and joining clubs was the most difficult part of one’s first transfer semester.
Both students agreed that transfer orientation made a difference.
Mia said, “I met my first friend there [at orientation], and she is now my roommate. Though I haven’t encountered any of the other students I went to the orientation with, the orientation itself was a great introduction to the school. UNH had so much care for their transfer students, and I was so thankful. My advisors were so kind! Often, I would email them with many questions, and they would go off and forward my emails to everyone I needed … Even some of my professors knew I was a transfer and always made me feel welcome,” said Mia. Leah also enjoyed orientation, which offered activities such as the campus tour, walking under the T-Hall arches, and, most importantly, painting tote bags.
Because Mia and Leah arrived in the spring, they missed out on some of UNH’s larger events to help students connect to one another. For example, on August 22, MUBfest welcomed new students to campus with activities from Mario Kart tournaments to tarot readings. Further University Day, held in early September on Thompson Hall Lawn, is a chance for students to explore clubs and organizations and get more involved on campus.
If they could do it over, Leah admitted, “I would have tried to be more extroverted.” Like many transfers, she felt nervous about putting herself out there, but looking back, she wished she pushed herself to attend events or start conversations with new people.
“I would have definitely tried to exercise more! Being new to the school, I was a little too afraid to go to the gym by myself or try the exercise groups,” said Mia. “Understanding the culture of a new school was really hard, but I should have just dived headfirst into the recreation center confidently.”
Many other transfers I have spoken with shared similar feelings as Mia and Leah. Upon their transfer, they wished they had spent less time in their dorm and more time on campus, meeting people and getting involved.
To students just arriving at UNH, Mia reassured, “You are never alone! If it ever feels lonely, still persist through your school work and take the time to focus on yourself. You will meet friends eventually, and it will get easier. It will take time to understand the groove of UNH and how it is different from your previous school, but it is ultimately a very welcoming campus. The library is my favorite spot and I spend hours there every day! Use UNH’s resources like the MaC and the Knack tutoring. Your tuition pays for these things, so get the most out of them.”
Leah encouraged fellow transfers to “reach out to people you want to hang out with! I know it’s scary but you will be so glad you did!”
I, personally, would add to Mia and Leah’s advice: don’t be afraid to start small! Join one club, talk to one person in your class, or attend an event, even if it is only for ten minutes. Also, seek out other transfers. They are in the same position, in a new, unfamiliar environment, trying to find their place.
When I asked what the best part of transferring has been, Leah smiled. “UNH is so chill compared to my old school. The best part for me has been taking it easy and still getting a lot out of my experience! Everyone is also so nice here,” said Leah.
“UNH makes me happy! My old university made me miserable, and I constantly dreaded moving back,” said Mia.“This fall, I was enthusiastic to come back. My classes are challenging, and I love the campus. Regardless of all the bumps in the road, UNH has been incredibly inclusive and breeds a campus of community. There is so much to do, and so much space to exist and do your own thing.”
We transferred to UNH for a reason. Let’s get the most out of our experience! Welcome to UNH, Wildcats!
