College is an adventurous time for all emerging and ongoing students.

Oftentimes, the catered image is young adults right out of high school, smiling, leaning on friends, hanging out in groups and greeting friends on the way to class. It can be challenging to begin the college journey alone, possibly moving away from family and friends to a new city/state. It can be lonely not knowing anyone and not knowing your campus due to being new.

This image is familiar to more students than the advertised image on college brochures.

A group that is often socially forgotten in the university world is the transfer students. Transfer students are defined as students who have completed several semesters or years of college coursework at a college or university before transferring to another one. The most common form is described in an article by NCCU as “vertical transfer students.” These students attend a two-year college (such as a community college) before transitioning into a four-year institution.

Community college is an excellent option to knock out basic course credits by saving money and earning an associate’s degree. Still, the invisible con is when you arrive at your four-year university and you feel like you’ve already missed out on so much. You hear from juniors and seniors who gush about the monumental memories they’ve made in their four years.

You also see the freshmen and sophomores who still have so much time left. Then there’s you, the transfer student, who feels like you’re racing against the clock to make the memories in only two short years.

If you feel this way and you feel alone, please know you’re not. I see you because I am you. After I graduated high school back in Durham, North Carolina, my parents and I moved to the coast. I attended Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington and earned my associate’s in arts degree.

After graduating, I took two years off to work and save money to reassess after the pandemic. I recently transferred up to UT for my first semester this spring — my dream school.

It’s definitely taken a ton of grit and determination to achieve this goal. My parents, our dog Chevy and I have sacrificed a lot for this moment, but it’s a moment in time I’ll hold onto forever.

Since arriving on campus, I’ve felt the insurmountable fear that I need to do it all before it’s too late. Making friends, joining organizations, attending sporting events (one down and can’t wait for more), participating in UT traditions, being in clubs, attending events, achieving good grades, painting the rock and so much more before time runs out.

Although transfer students are technically classified as incoming juniors, it often feels like we’re freshmen. My first week was all about figuring out building locations, learning my walking routes to class, and navigating the specifics of UT mainly alone (meal swipes, cash equivalency, securing basketball tickets, etc).

No matter your age, class rank, gender or any other factor, being a college student can be daunting and requires a great deal of bravery. Whether you’re a freshman or sophomore wishing time would pass quickly because it feels overwhelming or a junior or senior hoping time would stand still so you could remain on Rocky Top forever, I see you and support you.

Remember, your story matters and your timing is always just right.

When I’m afraid of time whizzing by, I often have to remind myself of this thought: I can either worry about not having enough time or enjoy the fact that I’m here and have time now. If you have to repeat this reminder to yourself a dozen times to combat the fear rolling in as you look around campus and worry that it’s all going by so fast, that’s ok. Take a deep breath and try to stay in the moment as best as you can.

Fellow transfer students, let’s embrace the present and transform our experience, allowing us to savor each moment and make the most of our time here because it is truly a gift.

Marissa Hunt is a junior at UT studying journalism. She can be reached at [email protected]

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.