The first day of college is nerve-wracking. Walking several minutes to class, encountering professors with an addiction to the “next slide” button and, most of all, the perils of making friends.
However, what do you do during the second first day?
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, around one-third of college students nationally will transfer schools once within six years of their college career . In fall 2020, MU had 1,349 transfer students.
Whether coming from community college or another four-year institution, transfer students at MU come to begin another chapter of their lives. Avery Hlavacek and Gabrielle Groves, both class of ‘22 seniors are among several students who chose MU as the next stepping stone in their academic careers. Both students weigh in on their experiences and what they have to offer to MU and beyond.
Avery Hlavacek
Avery Hlavacek moved around frequently throughout her years in primary education, but settled down in Lebanon, Missouri, to graduate from high school. Before coming to MU, Hlavacek attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“Kirkwood’s student life was amazing,” Hlavacek said in an email. “I was involved in student government, intramural sports, and I was a tutor. With the school being ranked in the [National Junior College Athletic Association], the games were always packed, which allowed me to find many friends and connections.”
Entering Kirkwood, Hlavacek knew she wanted to attend MU, since they offered a bachelor’s degree in animal science, something she was heavily interested in. When deciding on MU, her parents and peers were very supportive.
“They all knew I wanted to further my education in animal science, so Mizzou was a perfect fit.” Hlavacek said.
However, as COVID-19 struck, it posed some challenges academically and socially.
“My school moved all their classes online, and most of my friends from college went home.” Hlavacek said. “Before I knew it, I was moving to Columbia, Missouri, and I didn’t get to see a lot of my friends before I left.”
At first, Hlavacek had trouble transitioning.
“Coming in as a junior-year transfer living in off-campus housing amidst COVID-19 was difficult,” Hlavacek said. “Classes and club meetings were held over Zoom, but with many cameras off, it made it tough to really connect; but I persisted and found ways to stay involved.”
Hlavacek is currently a College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Ambassador, a member of Block and Bridle, Phi Sigma Theta, Sigma Alpha, a Transfer Experience and Advising Mentor, a teaching assistant, an executive on Tau Sigma and holds two campus jobs.
Hlavacek is a huge advocate for getting involved and building your own community.
“Mizzou offers so many academic programs and clubs for all interests … I have never heard someone say they regret getting involved,” Hlavacek said.
You can find Hlavacek at a football game, hanging out with her sorority sisters or grading papers for professors in the CAFNR building.
Gabriella Groves
Gabrielle Groves is originally from Belleville, Illinois, but she’s called 13 different places home over the last six years.
Groves is currently a senior obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology on the pre-med track.
Groves loved Illinois because of the proximity of things to do, such as Six Flags and St. Louis.
However, she said the most interesting place she moved to is Fairbanks, Alaska.
“Fairbanks was unlike any other place I had lived in,” Groves said in an email. “There were 22 hours of darkness in the winter and 22 hours of light in the summer.”
Unlike Hlavacek, Groves transferred twice.
“At my community college [Southern Illinois University in Carbondale], there were a lot of opportunities to get involved,” Groves said. “It was a pretty diverse environment with a variety of different people going in different directions.”
However, going into the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Groves immediately felt displaced.
“The student life was not as friendly as it was at my previous university,” Groves said.
Groves began her research into other institutions after a negative experience at a pre-med club meeting.
“It was a very toxic environment … [the] students were not welcoming,” Groves said. “I realized that my experience at this club was a bigger reflection of why I was not enjoying my experience.
Groves also did not have the same support Hlavacek had.
“While my parents were supportive because they knew I wasn’t happy, my peers actively participated in the unhealthy student culture so they were oblivious to why peers like me would be unhappy,” Groves said.
Groves ultimately chose MU because it offered the research opportunities she desired, as well as stringent values on academics.
Like many students nationwide, Groves had to attend class online, but this did not affect her decision to transfer, which she said was smooth.
“[On] my first day on campus, a student realized I was lost and walked me to all of my classes … I also utilized office hours to have a better understanding of the material and clarify any confusions,” Groves said.
Groves can be found exploring the outdoors, studying or doing some research.
Transferring from one school to another takes effort, perseverance and decision making. A lot of these factors can lead a potentially unhappy student to just “tough it out.”
Hlavacek encourages prospective transfers to embrace the change.
“Everything has a way of working itself out, so it is best to embrace new experiences,” Hlavacek said in an email.
Groves echoed this and advised students not to overthink the process.
“Asking yourself if your current university offers opportunities that align with your passions can really help you decide if transferring is right for you,” Groves wrote in an email.
Prospective transfers away from MU can visit the Student Financial Aid website to begin the transfer process. If you’re an incoming transfer student looking into where you can get started, check out the Transfer Center website.
Edited by Elise Mulligan | emulligan@themaneater.com