Advice for Student-Athletes Transferring in College
4 KEY components: Research, Be firm, Be open, Be grateful.
When athletes first step on campus during their freshman year, joy and exuberance is radiating with every breath and step they take. The pure excitement of being in a new environment with individuals whom you more than likely will build lifelong relationships with and have experiences that will be cherished for a lifetime is an indescribable feeling. During this period, you are present yet eager and void of thinking of what could go wrong because now everything is just right. No athlete enters college thinking that this moment is temporary and thoughts of new coaches, transferring, injuries, personal issues, among other possibilities just don’t cross your mind. No one enters a building, that they hoped to be in, thinking that they would want to leave but this is a reality many athletes will experience, and that is transferring. Athletes transfer for a multitude of reasons, some widely accepted and some unfairly criticized but regardless, it is a period of immense change for athletes. You go from building relationships with people on your team, support staff, and in your athletic department to entering an unfamiliar environment where you must start over as you begin your journey as the new kid on the block.
Athletes may transfer for mental health, family reasons, or personal reasons, and for most, opportunity. The reasons are the challenging part, but the transition must be accepted. Transitioning from one athletic ecosystem to another can come with growing pains and potential loneliness as unfamiliarity persists at every turn. Some people may respond well to change, but for some athletes, understandably, it may be hard to adapt to a new environment. Transferring is not an easy process as you must depart from relationships you have developed and environment's you have settled in among having to fill out compliance documents and complete regulatory items before leaving and having to figure out your next steps. Year in and year out, several athletes transfer because their situation may not have turned in or developed into what they hoped for when they first got on campus and that is okay. It is important to be calculated in your next move to make sure you are creating and entering the best possible situation for yourself academically, athletically, and most importantly, for your mental well-being. Here are four ways athletes can make their transition better:
Research: Athletes, do not make sporadic decisions! When feeling uneasy, disappointed, and frustrated, it can be easy to make bad decisions because of temporary emotions. Before you abruptly decide to transfer schools, fully evaluate your situation, and consult with trusted thought leadership and confidants to help you properly think through your circumstances. If playing opportunities are the driver in your desire to transfer, then research rosters, and coaches, and do a deep dive to see if the next opportunity makes sense for you. If you are desiring to leave because of personal issues, or circumstances dealing with your well-being, then speak with a trusted mental health professional or spiritual leader (if you are religious) to help process your situation and aid you in figuring out a resolution.
Be firm: The worst thing you can do is oscillate and go back and forth with yourself if you made the right decision or not. Once a decision has been made, firmly stand on it be present wherever you may land and make the most of your situation unless it is affecting your overall well-being. Obsessing over the past and what would, could, or should have been will only lead to feelings of sadness and regret. Be firm, be present, and look forward!
Be open: Be open to new environments, relationships, coaches, and possibilities! While transferring is not an easy task, being closed and negative will only make it that much worse. Being open to new things can open you up to opportunities you never thought you’d want and doors you’d never thought you’d walk through!
Be grateful: Always be grateful! Being a college athlete is a privilege and having the opportunity to compete at one of the highest levels of sports should always be appreciated and respected. Realize that there are a lot of people who would want to be in your shoes. Just because your first or second college did not work out, does not mean the next one won’t! Be grateful and realize that you have all the tools to be successful, not just in your sport, but in life! Opportunities are far and few between, so always remain grateful!