The sitch on the switch: my transfer student experience

High school ended and all I remember was feeling stuck. Most of my peers had carefully picked out their majors all while planning their careers in the process. I remember having a conversation with a student about her plan for medical school, becoming a dermatologist and starting her own skincare brand. She sounded so sure about herself. Meanwhile, we had just graduated and I was still wondering if I made the right career choice.

My biggest push towards Professional Communication was the writing aspect. It’s something that I’ve always enjoyed but didn’t know how to make a career out of. After researching and viewing my other options, such as journalism, I thought that communications could equip me with the necessary writing skills and lead me to a career in business. With that, I sent in my application, was accepted and promptly started preparing for my first semester of university.

When course intentions rolled around, I began looking at the list of minors that Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) offered. Of the long list, Marketing caught my attention. It would complement my communications degree while providing me with the business courses that were outside of my program. I scheduled Principles of Marketing (MKT 100) and Marketing Metrics and Analysis (MKT 300) into my semesters, with the goal of using that newfound knowledge to accompany the technical skills that Professional Communication provided me. 

My school year began in a pretty typical way; Orientation Week, making my first group of friends, joining clubs and meeting more new people than I had throughout all of high school. So much was happening all at once, and all of it was so new. Was it overwhelming? Absolutely. I can’t lie though — some of my best memories yet came from that first semester of university. As time went on, I found myself enjoying the marketing courses more than the communications courses, and it was then that I first began to consider changing majors.

Luckily, when it came to seeking advice, I had plenty of people around me willing to help. Some of my friends are in the Business Management program, and a few others are studying other majors within the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM). I spoke to them, and they all had positive experiences within their programs, including co-op opportunities. One of my friends spoke about the Bootcamp programs that he had been taking, and how the skills he gained through them opened the door for job opportunities. The business program seemed intriguing, but it was a big step that brought new changes and responsibilities I didn’t think I could handle. So, I held off on it for a few more months. Finally, I spoke with a friend who had also switched to a different major within TRSM, and his words of encouragement were the final push that I needed to go through with the decision. A few days later, I sent in my application, and by mid-June, I received my acceptance letter.

I’ve now been gifted with a wonderful start to the year, and I couldn’t be happier about making the change. 

I’m also glad that my first year in business isn’t my actual first year of university. Looking back, everything felt so new and uncertain that my need for stability and comfort often interfered with my schooling. I wanted friends and to find my place in university, but on top of that, I was also learning a whole new way to study, organizing deadlines and just adjusting to the school experience overall. This year I feel less pressured to “find myself” and can focus on school fully. I have my friend group, my team and my hobbies outside of school, and I’ve learned to adjust my time and studying habits for school. I see this as a second chance to put in the 110% effort that was often clouded by new experiences last year. 

A note to high school students: it’s perfectly fine to come into university thinking you want one thing and finding out along the way that it might not be the right path for you. University brings with it a load of new beginnings and self reflection, and learning that often takes place outside of the classroom. Also, you can never truly fully understand your degree until you start school. It's perfectly fine to switch, and as I learned, it's more common than you think.

That's all for now folks, keep checking the blog for new content from both myself and Hadiqah.

Talk to you soon!

Isabel