Fortunately, life is full of surprises. Unfortunately, sometimes those surprises bring about situations you might not be prepared for. It is very easy to get your mind set on one school or one path after graduating high school. In our minds we create these wonderful circumstances that aren’t always realistic. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. That’s not my objective. For some people college will be everything they ever dreamed. But, on the chance that things might not work out as planned, it is important to know what to do and what not to do.
•DO have a backup plan in case your original falls through at the last minute. Anyone who has gone through the freshman in college routine will tell you it is very hard to backtrack and go to a different school as late as August, but it is possible. You may have to go to a school other than your dream university for a semester or two but when something comes up, that's better than nothing.
•DON'T put all your eggs in one basket. Everything may seem to be working out perfectly, but things can change and you don't want to be caught off guard. Even if you don't make any specific preparations for a different school, at least spend a little bit of time thinking about what you would do if you couldn't attend the school you had planned.
•DO talk with your family about the proposed backup plan. Help them be aware of what you would want to do should your Plan A fall through. This will make the transition easier should something go awry.
•DON'T be ashamed to admit that you're aware things don't always work out. Your family won't think you're not committed to the decision you made if you just let them know you're thinking ahead. It's a sign of maturity.
•DO let your family know if your college experience isn't going the way you had hoped. It's okay if things aren't everything you thought they would be. Sometimes people change and the school might not fit anymore. Transferring is a very common occurrence and not something to be afraid to do as early as one semester into college.
•DON'T stay at a school you don't like. It's a waste of money and time if you're at a school that doesn't fit. If you hate where you are, your grades will suffer and it won't be a pleasant experience.
•DO research different schools' transfer requirements. Many schools don't allow transfers before you have obtained 60 or more units from your original school. That may mean you have to start out as a "freshman" again if you transfer and some of your units won't go with you. Weigh your options.
•DON'T be afraid to ask questions. School officials know that their institution won't be right for everyone. They won't get offended or mad if you need help transferring to a new school. Most admissions offices are more than happy to help students with the transition.
•DO, once you have made the decision to change schools or are forced to, plan ahead. See what units you have, if any, will transfer and try to plan your schedules semester by semester so you know how long it will take you to graduate with this small setback. Doing this will help you know just how far behind you might be and what you can do to get back on track.
•DON'T assume everything will work itself out. Planning on your part is necessary to make the transition easier. Be proactive. Assuming it'll be okay without any followup or effort put into it is a surefire way to distress later down the road.
•DO research your Plan A school's transfer policies before deciding to go there. There is a large percentage of students that end up transferring. Many students go to two or even three different schools to get their education. If your original choice doesn't have many classes whose units transfer to other schools, you might want to think twice. This can say a lot about the merit and curriculum of that particular school.
•DON'T put too much pressure on yourself. Things change. Life goes on. Think of it as a new and exciting adventure. Each new thing you have to do in your life better prepares you for something similar down the road.
