What is It Like to Change Universities?

Whether you’re not happy in your chosen university, the city you moved to isn’t quite what you thought it would be or you simply don’t want to be there anymore, there are many reasons why people transfer universities during their degree. Here’s why it’s totally ok to make this change and how to do it…

Things change and three years is a long time to be in one place. So, if you’ve found your university just isn’t quite right for you anymore, it’s totally ok to start looking at studying somewhere else, even if you’re already halfway into your degree. And you wouldn’t be alone in doing this, many people change universities, in fact, it happened to me after my second year and I got through it.

Although you might think it, transferring universities doesn’t necessarily have to mean starting from scratch if you’re continuing on the same course either. Here’s my advice if you’re thinking of moving…

It Feels Like a Huge Decision

It’s probably the first time you’ve ever had to think about something so big and you feel like a weight is on your shoulders, but the build up to actually making the decision is often a lot worse than living with the decision you make, so once you make it you’ll probably feel a whole lot better.

It Won’t Matter in a Few Months or Years

Remember the people who always said that it wouldn’t matter what GCSEs you got a few years down the line? It’s the same for decisions like this. It seems like a big decision at the time and it is, but it probably won’t matter that much to you in the long run.

No one ever asks me whether I went to one university for the three years of my degree and people only know about my transfer if I choose to tell them. It’s really not a big deal.

If You’re Feeling Homesick, You’re Not Alone

A lot of people get homesick at university, so if this is the reason you’re thinking of leaving, it might be wiser to stick it out for a bit as things can often get better. Getting involved in lots of societies and activities can help as they’ll take your mind off things.

If it’s more than homesickness though, or if there are a number of things about being there that are bothering you, it might be time to consider your options.

It Might Not Be as Hard as You Think

Although transferring universities usually means going through the whole UCAS process again, it won’t be the same as applying was the first time.

With a year or two’s university experience behind you, you’re not in the same position as when you first applied fresh out of school, so the whole system will be less stressful and you’ll have more to offer the university you’re moving to.

The important thing is to check what the process is for the university you’re in as well as for your new university, and don’t make any decisions until you’ve found all this out. If you’re transferring within the first few weeks of being away from home it could be even easier, but make sure you check the facts out first.

Your Current University Will Be Supportive

There are people on campus you can talk to, without judgement, such as your lecturers, the student advice team and counsellors. And you won’t be the first person they will have given transfer advice to either, guaranteed they’ve had others coming to them with the exact same worries.

It took me quite a long time to make my decision to transfer and it helped that I was able to talk it through with different people at the university and nobody was judgmental – they simply wanted to help and for me to make the right decision for me.

Your New University Will Be Helpful Too

Choose a Few Different Universities

Don’t rush to choose another university. Like your UCAS application, it’s important to think about which university you’d like to transfer to, visit it if possible and look at the course before you make any big decisions.

You Have to Make the Decision Yourself

Make sure you make an informed decision as it does have to be yours to make. Talk to people you can trust, get all the facts and then sit down and think it over, carefully. It might be hard either way, but it will be worth it and who knows? It might be the best decision for you.

Credit to: https://www.whatuni.com/advice/choosing-a-uni/what-is-it-like-to-transfer-universities/65824/