2008 Woodie Awards
The early transfer students get all the worms
Editorial Board
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The acceptance letter arrives in the mail and the transfer hustle begins.
You make a list: find a place to live, pack your stuff, move, save up money and find a new job. But don't sweat it; you have until August, maybe even September, to get it all done. Start early.
It's easy to get overwhelmed. You have a life to live and adding more stress is, well, stressful. But if you start right now, you can get it done. Make yourself a timeline and stick to it.
Summer vacation will be here in two weeks. Start looking for a new place to live. By the end of July, put down the deposit on your new place. If you will live off campus, choose your roommates by the end of July, as well.
Finding roommates is tricky. Ask friends and family. Your university will have a bulletin board or a Web site with a list of people who need roommates.
Next, sell the stuff you don't need by the beginning of August. Have a garage sale, take your things to the Flea Market or list on Craigslist. com. After you've reduced your inventory, invite your closest friends over for a packing party. Friends helping can make it fun and less time consuming.
Save money for rent, books and tuition. Open up a new savings account. Put one-fourth of your paycheck into your account every payday so you have money when you move.
If your new apartment is unfurnished, Craigslist.com has free and cheap furniture.
Another helpful Web site is Googlemaps.com. Enter your new address into the map, select "Find businesses" and look for familiar stores and landmarks around your new neighborhood. Find the closest grocery stores, 7-11s, gas stations, freeways and thrift shops.
Prepare to join hundreds of students in huge lecture halls at UC and CSU. Your professor will probably not know your name, but that will be OK. Classes will go by faster and may be taught by a teaching assistant.
Before the school year starts, look for interesting team sports, fraternities, sororities and clubs. See if anything looks cool. Getting involved will make you feel more at home.
As soon as classes start, create study groups. Exchange phone numbers and e-mail address with classmates. Not only will this help you grasp course information, you will make new friends in this new environment.
You are making a big change in
your life. Make it a time of rejoicing
instead of a time of stress.
Remember, the early bird gets
the worm - and the early transfer
student gets the nice apartment
with a view and a roomate who isn't
certifiably insane. Good luck.
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