University Challenges: Transfer instead of being a 'drop out'

Every student experience is different and, after nervously hearing that you're about to embark on the 'best year's of your life' and reading articles about how easy it is to meet people, if you don't, you can end up feeling that, as part of the human race, you have thoroughly failed.

I wasn't staggering back every night of Fresher's Week, arm in arm with new best friends, (by this point 'The Times' had assured me my phone book should be bursting) so I thought, obviously there is something wrong with me.

I thought University would be exactly like Hollyoaks.

Sometimes University just can't live up to the wild expectations and more depressingly, people who are finding University a challenge never really see the other people who are suffering around them.

No-one wants to admit University isn't the one long party they had imagined and I certainly wasn't about to let people know how miserable I really was.

A student may feel insignificant, unsupported, lonely, bored, unmotivated and may come to the conclusion 'University just isn't for me'.

Well, I thought that. I'd given it a fair run, tried my hardest with societies, halls, the course.

My Head of Year refused to take me seriously announcing, 'University is what you make it'.

But on his recommendation I did take the January exams, what harm could it do?

And I did really well and it all seemed such a waste of effort, time and money.

That's when I considered transferring. It was surprisingly easy.

I wasn't staggering back every night of Fresher's Week, arm in arm with new best friends, (by this point 'The Times' had assured me my phone book should be bursting) so I thought, obviously there is something wrong with me.

Alice Moore

A compatible course and the correct points are needed and you can often do it between semesters or years.

I had to complete my first year but once I had a goal to work towards the three months passed remarkably quickly.

Universities used to see student's transfer between them regularly.

Settling in one place for the duration of three to four years or dropping out is only a modern trait.

I know what you're thinking, why put yourself through that again?

Especially when friendship groups are formed and people are moving into houses.

I moved to a University where two old friends were and having them to fall back on increased my confidence in meeting new people.

The social side is extremely important and University is a lottery.

A quick flick through a prospectus or visit and you're ticking that box.

So what's the shame in saying, okay, I got it wrong?

The first time you often want to do it alone, a fresh start but if it doesn't work out why not try again where you know old friends will accept you?

Work on what you've already got this time.

Being happier in yourself will enable you to actually enjoy your course and better your 'University Experience'.

The first part just made me stronger.