UWL celebrates National Transfer Student Week

Posted 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024

UWL celebrates National Transfer Student Week

National Transfer Student Week is Oct. 21-25 - a chance to celebrate the 1,100-plus transfer students who help make UWL so special.

Transfer students bring unique perspectives, skillsets and experiences. But they also face a unique set of challenges.

From making friends, to learning about services and resources, to finding their way around campus and the community, transfer students often face an uphill climb. That's why UWL offers a range of services, programs and engagement opportunities designed to support students and strengthen their sense of belonging.

As we celebrate transfer students and the staff and faculty who support them, we're highlighting the story of one student, Taylor Edmonson, who took an unusual path to finding a home at UWL.

Edmonson's story illustrates the power of self-belief, the importance of a strong support system, and the ability each student has to shape their future.

Taylor Edmonson, senior biology major

Q: Why did you choose to transfer to UWL?

A: My transfer journey has been much different than most. I started here at UWL in my freshman year but didn't have the "college experience" I had hoped for. I was a first-generation college student. I had no one to look to for guidance on adapting to the shift from high school to college. So, I made a lot of mistakes early on. I felt like I didn't have a place here on campus, so I transferred out my spring semester, hoping my experience would change.

Transferring was what I needed at that moment. Being away from UWL showed me what I truly wanted from my education and helped me grow into the person I wanted to be. I didn't make it two months at another university before I reapplied to UWL. I'm one of very few students with two admission acceptance letters. Except this second acceptance means more than anything in the world. When I returned to UWL during my sophomore year, I knew this would be the college experience I deserved. I was determined to put myself out there, join clubs, form relationships with my professors, push myself academically and grow as a young adult.

I have a bit of imposter syndrome when I consider myself a "transfer student" because I technically did start here. But the person I was back in 2021 versus the person I am now is all because I had the strength to take a step away from UWL and the confidence to return when I was ready. Now, in my final year, nearing graduation, I can proudly say the best decision I've ever made was transferring: transferring out and then transferring back.

Q: What advice do you have for transfer students?

A: Being a transfer student is challenging, and that's because being a student in general isn't easy. As a transfer student, you get thrown into an environment you aren't familiar with, surrounded by people you've never met, and in a city you hardly know. Being a transfer student is scary, but that's what makes the good moments worth it.

The best part about being a transfer student is that you can rewrite your story. You have the chance to do whatever it takes to have the college experience that you deserve. But to do that, you must push yourself outside your comfort zone. If getting good grades is essential, force yourself to attend a professor's student hours or tutoring. If making friends is important, talk to the people in your classes or join student organizations that interest you.

Being a transfer student is a big adjustment, but it's also one of the best things to help you grow. Be proud of yourself. You did something that not many people could ever do. You put yourself first and did what was best for you. It won't be perfect on day one, but you have already done the hard part. Now, you must allow yourself to experience new things.

Q: What has surprised you here at UWL?

A: What has surprised me so much about UWL is how genuinely kind everyone is. I cannot say I've ever had a poor experience with any staff or faculty here. I have a professor from my sophomore year who still says hi to me every time he sees me on campus, and that was in a class with over 100 students.

Through being involved in student organizations, I've had to work tirelessly with University Centers, Custodial Services and advisors, and yet every single person has made me feel like my opinion was valued. Regardless of how short the interaction, I've always been treated with immense kindness. There was even a day I somehow ended up in the kitchen with Chartwells, making salads for an event, and that was one of the most positive experiences I've had. Even Chancellor Beeby has made me and other students feel welcome on campus. It gives me comfort as a student, knowing that whoever I interact with, I always feel safe, comfortable and respected.

Q: Who has helped or supported you in your transition to UWL?

A:I owe a lot to the first friend I made on campus when I transferred back to UWL. I was sitting in a 7:45 a.m. class, nervous that it was going to be hard to make friends on campus. That was until the kindest girl turned around, introduced herself and invited me to work on homework with her. This girl is now one of my closet friends, and she's the reason I felt like UWL was going to be home again.

I also was able to find my community early on when I transferred back because I decided to go through sorority recruitment. Being part of Greek life has made such a positive impact on my life and has given me not only my closest friends, but the opportunity to grow as a leader on campus.

Being a part of the Vanguard organization has also allowed me to give back to the university for everything it's done for me. I get the privilege of meeting with prospective students and their families and working with transfer students each week to help them find their home at UWL. There is truly nothing more rewarding than getting to share my story, the good and the bad, and making as many students as I can feel like they belong.

Q: What would you like to do with your degree after you graduate?

A:In the spring, I'll be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology, with minors in chemistry and leadership development. I've been on the pre-medicine track during my time at UWL, so if I chose to pursue a career in the medical field, I'll be prepared to do so. I'm extremely excited to be taking a gap year to travel and experience life. I'm not limiting myself to having my entire life planned out. When I was graduating from high school, I would have never guessed that I would be a transfer student, so I've started just taking life one day at a time and allowing myself to figure it out as I go. I know that no matter what I decide to do with my future, I'll be prepared because of the lessons and experiences I've had at UWL.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.