Transferring to ESU Proves a Stressful, Yet Rewarding Experience

Photo Courtesy / East Stroudsburg University Prospective students visit the campus with their tour guide and will eventually decide whether or not to attend.

Natalie Irula

Opinion Editor

From move-in day to the first exam, starting again at any new school can be an exciting but daunting process.

Not knowing what to expect, transfer students dive in headfirst.

Having just about finished my first semester, I’ve experienced this first-hand… and am just now getting situated.

The most stressful part of the process was before the semester began, working with summer staff.

I mostly got my information by leaving messages and anxiously waiting for replies from a lacking staff since the website was often outdated.

There were also some miscommunications that could have resulted in big problems.

For example, at first, I was told housing is guaranteed for all students.

Then, I was told that was wrong.

Finally, I was told it is guaranteed, but your choice isn’t.

Bottom line, things were confusing and it didn’t help I was an hour away from the campus.

“I needed to get my bachelor’s degree,” said Josh Weiss, when I asked why he transferred. “I transferred because I also wanted the experience of living on my own. I couldn’t do that from a two-year school.”

A Cyber Security major, Weiss plans to graduate in 2021.

He chose to live at the University Ridge Apartments so that he could have his own room.

However, he did comment that “the internet sucks.”

*“The classes are bigger, but college is college,” said Weiss. “Transferring can be a difficult process as everything around you changes at once, I can’t say ESU made it any easier.”*

Weiss also advised that new students should seek out clubs and activities. It’s a good way to meet people right off the bat. 

When asked about his social life, he said, “the school I came from was a commuter school. Here, everyone is stuck living together so everyone needs to make friends and people make more of an effort to be social.”

As for life outside ESU, Weiss said, “there’s stuff very near to the campus, like downtown East Stroudsburg. It’s not like in the middle of nowhere.” 

So, if you get bored of the campus itself, you can always go mini-golfing, hit the Sherman Theater, or just stroll down Main.

In general, the environment seems to be the biggest change from any transfer’s perspective.

Once you move past the stresses of getting everything in line, you can focus on classes and success.

In any case, going to college is a career milestone to be proud of.

“It’s hard to live on your own, but I think it’s gonna be rewarding eventually,” Weiss said.

Email Natalie at:

nirula@live.esu.edu