I became a Hokie in the fall of 2009 after spending two years at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Va.
The whole idea of starting at community college and then transferring to a four-year school was not what I had in mind as a high school senior. But as I know now and am constantly reminded, things do not always go as planned.
Staying home for the first two years of my college education turned out to be a blessing in disguise. During that time I grew up, and I came to realize that I was not as ready to leave home as I thought I was. In fact, after I had finished with my associates at TCC, I started to second-guess my decision to go away for my remaining two years. I was comfortable at home, I had friends and family and a continuous support system whenever I needed. I felt like I was leaving everything I had worked so hard to build over the past two years just to have to start again.
All it took was one last visit to Virginia Tech's campus before I was scheduled to start in the fall to reassure me that Tech was the right fit. I learned very quickly that at Virginia Tech you are not a transfer student, you are a Hokie. Everyone is a Hokie and we are all a part of the Hokie Nation. Orange and Maroon constantly flood the campus and the sense of community that takes place in Blacksburg is unlike anywhere else.
Virginia Tech has taught me more than the lessons learned inside the classroom. I have learned how important it is to be opened minded to all opportunities you are presented with.
To all you potential and new Hokies out there, I'd like to share a few things that I have learned since becoming a Hokie. Whether you chose to become a Hokie as well by transferring to Virginia Tech, I hope you will take these small pieces of advice with you:
- Be proactive; take the time to introduce yourself and meet with your professors and advisors. It will help so much in the long run.
- Don't hesitate to ask questions. Ask as many as you'd like and ask them more than once if you have to.
- And finally, don't blink. Wherever you decide to transfer, know your time as a student is going to fly by. Make sure you take the time to make the experiences all your own. Fill your time with memories, whether good or bad, and get involved.
Remember, you are the only person responsible for your transfer experience.
