There is a particular struggle to be a transfer student in college. Whether you start at a local community college, a sister school to your dream university, or some art school you decide you hate after a semester, transferring to a new school is emotionally and mentally challenging.

There are many possible academic and social reasons why a student might consider changing schools. When this happens, a student might find others in the middle of a big project, with no friends to help. A class at one school can have a different set of expectations at another school.

As such, with these changes, a student needs to be more flexible to adjust to the academic and social life of the new school.

Education experts argue that this is a great risk because it leads to isolation and lagging behind in studies. It could even lead to dropping depending on how challenging the situation is.

This change can also lead to feelings of alienation, social isolation, and even depression. To help a student adjust, let’s explore how students can stay on track.

Sifa Mereweneza, a Rwandan student in the Philippines, advises transfer students to work on timing and structure which need to be adjusted immediately in a new school.

"Always be cautious about time management at the new school. It is necessary to work on your timing, I think it is one of the basic things you need to work on so as to get used to the new school,” she says. 

She recommends having extracurricular activities that align with one’s interests which can help you get more friends. This, she says, will reduce isolation from colleagues.

"It makes one feel accepted. With a new peer group, they will be less likely to become socially isolated or start negative or self-destructive behaviour,” adds Mereweneza.

During this time, do not be afraid to ask for help, says Samuel Nshuti, a law student at the University of Kigali.

"I know it can be intimidating to be on a new campus, but it is advisable to never let anxiety keep you from asking for help if you need it as a new student, especially if you are lagging behind in classes that were taken in your absence,” he says, citing that instructors and students will likely all be happy to help.

In his graduate dissertation at Loyola University, Ph.D. candidate Benjamin M. Grais interviewed 10 transfer students to determine the best academic interventions that teachers can use.

From his research, he found that creating an interaction between transfer students helps because finding other students who are in the same boat really helps to share experience and views, so as to fix the problem.

In an article, ‘5 Ways to Adjust to a New School’ the author says, be patient and keep a positive outlook. New schools can bring about new challenges. Stay positive about the opportunities a new start can bring. If your anxiety worsens, be sure to keep an open line of communication with teachers. Find support within the resources offered by the school so you don’t fall behind. There are solutions available whether online, apps, tutors, or counsellors.