The writer of this article was part of a summer honors experience called Voices From Our Backyard: Local News Narratives, during which students created and wrote stories to be published in community news outlets.
Taylenn Knight
"Starting over is a pain in the butt," Charles said. “It’s just so tiring.”
While on a FaceTime call with a friend, Charles, a sophomore at The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) majoring in cybersecurity, stares at his laptop researching universities to transfer to. As he closed his laptop, he sighed.
This is a feeling many community college students can relate to after having to leave the close-knit community at their school and venture onto a new campus, where they must acclimate to a new environment, people, professors, and more.
The transition from a two-year college to a four-year university presents a unique set of challenges for students. While community colleges like CCBC provide a strong foundation, students must navigate new social and academic dynamics when they transfer.
“It’s definitely not easy because since I started at CCBC you get used to staying at the school where you are at, and it can be difficult to figure out how a new campus runs as well as trying to figure out things from scratch can definitely be challenging,” Charles said.
Charles reflects on his time at CCBC, where he faced numerous challenges but also found a supportive environment that helped him succeed.
“[My] journey started off rough because I had to get used to school again after being out of school for four years, but generally it started to go really smooth and I had a great time at CCBC,” he said.
Charles's story is very relatable. Many community college students face similar struggles and triumphs as they prepare to transfer to universities. The transition involves more than just academics; it includes navigating new social landscapes and different campus cultures.
“It’s a scary feeling. It’s just like how I came to CCBC two years ago,” Calise Harper said.
Harper, a Spring CCBC graduate, prepared to begin her journey at a four-year university this fall. She reflected on the mixed emotions that accompanied this transition. For her, it was a mix of the excitement of new opportunities tempered by the nerves that come with leaving behind the familiar environment of CCBC.
When having to start over or experience something new, fear can be something many students feel come this fall as they continue or start their journey. Even through this fear Calise is excited to begin her new journey.
“I’m the most excited about the new environment and new opportunities that can happen,” Harper said.
Kristen German, a former CCBC Honors student, shared her experience during her transition. She was an introverted person who got used to the community college routine of coming to school, going to class, going home, and repeating the cycle. But when she decided to transfer, she had to figure out which universities fit her criteria.
“I wanted a small school… and to be out of Maryland,” German said. “Am I going to be a number [since I was] used to the small class sizes at CCBC?”
Thoughts like these are just a few of the considerations that go through community college students' minds as they prepare for their big adjustment. These thoughts help shape their wants and needs in a university.
“CCBC helped me figure out the environment I wanted,” German said.
She took a huge leap of faith going from CCBC to Providence College in Rhode Island. Starting over is stressful enough for many community college students, but doing so in a new state can add another layer of stress.
“I felt weird and I was considered a non-traditional student at [Providence] College. I felt left behind and lost,” German said. “Felt like a freshman because [ I] was in a new state, no friends, no family … felt like starting over.”
German, who was 22 when she transferred, shared her experience during her orientation dinner.
“I looked around the room and saw all freshmen and sophomores at the table, feeling out of place. During the dinner, they didn’t even give me a tour of the place. Luckily my roommate who had also moved in early was able to show me around and my classes.”
Starting over can be daunting and scary. Many can relate to the mixed feelings involved with change.
“Change is beneficial… worth the risk,” German said. “Change forced me out of my comfort zone.”
Academic advisors at community colleges and universities are aware of the challenges and work to provide resources and support for transferring students. They emphasize the importance of utilizing transfer advising services and participating in workshops to ease the transition.
Academic Advisor Lexi Wick of University of Baltimore is no stranger to the process. She is the first point of contact for transfer students assisting them so they can hit the ground running.
“Being in junior year can be harder and rigorous especially when you have to immediately jump into a tougher environment,” Wick said.
Advisors like Wick understand how difficult it is to have to quickly adjust, especially so late in the traditional college experience. Coming from a two year to a four year and having to swiftly accumulate to this new experience can be hard.
“Most transfer students feel academically prepared, but socially it is difficult having to make new connections with peers, professors, and mentors,” Wick said.
When getting to your new school one of the biggest things you can do is take advantage of everything offered while you’re beginning to transfer and after. As Wick said, “Don’t waste time” and “be strategic early in community college … look to the future and plan early.” In the blink of an eye, you’ll be walking across the stage closing one chapter and opening another.
“Take advantage of the career center, honors societies … get started first semester networking and (looking at) internships,” Wick said. “Read everything that comes to your email.”
Despite the uncertainties, students like Charles and Harper remain optimistic about their future, knowing that their time at community college has provided them with a strong foundation.
"I'm nervous, but also excited," Harper said. "Yes, I don’t feel like readjusting, but that’s what life is, readjusting."
German, who has closed that chapter of her life reminds us, "Don't compare yourself to other people; comparison is the thief of joy. We are all going through the same thing, no matter the age difference, and we're all here for the same reason."
