Recently, TRIO traveled to southern Colorado and New Mexico with a group of students in order to explore the academic, social, cultural, and geographical opportunities to the south of Denver. The group toured three different transfer options: Colorado State University Pueblo, University of New Mexico, and Adams State College. In addition, the students engaged in experiential learning opportunities: exploring the Albuquerque Biopark, touring the oldest city in America (Santa Fe), and hiking through inclement weather in Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Reflecting on the trip, a number of considerations come to mind for students making transfer plans.
1. Do not be afraid to explore new horizons. You will not know what is there unless you look. And you can always come back if you do not like what you see.
2. Not all transfer options are the same. The degrees offered, financial aid options, living arrangements, extracurricular activities, the size of campus, alumni success: colleges and universities differ greatly on these types of variables. Look around and find the best fit for you!
3. No matter where you go, you can find friendly, helpful people. They might be students, faculty, staff, or community members. Seek out this type of person and get to know them.
4. Earning a college degree - and life in general - is like a road trip. It is good to have a plan, but expect there to be many bumps in the road. Each day you make navigational decisions - left or right, north or south - and these day-to-day decisions determine when, where, and how you arrive. You may only be able to see as far ahead as your headlights shine, but as long as you do the best you can in each moment, you will stay out of the ditch and on course to your destination.
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