From Community College to University: What Every Transfer Student Should Know
by TSIC

Transferring from a two-year college to a university can feel overwhelming — new faces, bigger classes, unfamiliar buildings — but it's possible to leap successfully with the right mindset, support system, and a little planning. One of our Take Stock Leaders, Jaqualia Newsome, shares her inspiring journey from Santa Fe College to Florida A&M University (FAMU), offering insight and encouragement for students preparing for their transition.

Transferring from College to University Life

"My transfer from Santa Fe to FAMU was really smooth," the Take Stock Alachua County alum (2016) shared. "Thanks to my academic advisor at Santa Fe and Ms. Freeman, the transfer liaison at the CAFS College, I felt supported the whole way through."

Still, the shift to a large university campus came with some challenges. "Transferring from a smaller college to a huge university was a bit intimidating at first. But once I figured out where my classes were, everything started to feel manageable."

Jaqualia's biggest tip? Do your research early and often. "I checked the FAMU website to make sure my credits would transfer before I signed up for classes. That step saved me time, money, and unnecessary stress."

Success Tips for Dually Enrolled High Schoolers

For students who are dually enrolled or earning college credit in high school, the advice is the same: "Talk to your academic advisor or dual enrollment staff to make sure the credits you're earning align with your future goals and will be accepted in the discipline/major that you are going into. Know which courses count toward your intended major."

During the college enrollment and registration process, students must confirm which courses will be accepted, go to the financial aid office and make sure that all their scholarships are reported to their school, and ensure that their living arrangements, whether on campus or off, are already planned out.

The Importance of Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is another essential skill set for all college students, especially transfer students. "You are always going to be your best advocate. If you do not advocate for yourself, no one will. You could end up taking a lot more classes and courses than you need to, thus spending more years in school and costing you a lot more. Most colleges have a policy about excess credit hours, which means that you pay more per extra course that you take."

And when things get tough, Jaqualia advises, "Don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your professors, go to office hours, and connect with students who've already been there. Teamwork makes the dream work."

Counting the Cost for College

On a practical level, Jaqualia advises that students check their financial aid, verify scholarships, and review their living plans well in advance. "Life is unpredictable. Never put all your eggs in one basket," she says regarding searching for funds for college. "Look for the scholarships that many aren't talking about. Look for degree-specific ones if you know what major you want to go into. Look for housing scholarships and local, state-, and nation-wide scholarships."

Aside from staying on top of these opportunities, students must remember to choose courses wisely to avoid even more costs. "If you go over a certain amount of credit hours, you can get charged extra instead of the 180 credit hours required for graduation, Jaqualia shares. "Excess credit hours can cost you more — and keep you in school longer."

Now mentoring students through the Take Stock in Children program at the Education Foundation of Alachua County, Jaqualia reflects on how full circle the experience has been, saying, "It feels AMAZING. I love what I do, and building connections with my students has been a blessing. If it wasn't for Take Stock, I wouldn't have been able to position myself to be working in a job I couldn't have dreamed of. With the help of my mentors and the support of the Take Stock staff exposing me to the different colleges and other avenues of life, I might have never left Gainesville, let alone become the first in my family to graduate with not one but two degrees. Take Stock truly is my village, and I will forever be grateful for it."

We're grateful for Take Stock Leaders like Jaqualia, who not only give back as Take Stock alumni but also return to work for Take Stock, pushing our mission forward to equip students to break the cycle of poverty through education.

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