BRIDGEWATER, Va.–  Transferring to a new college can feel like losing all of your progress and having to start all over again. However, for some students at Bridgewater College, transferring to campus has made beneficial impacts on their lives.

The University of Bridgeport stated that about one-third of college students transfer before completing their degree and 60% of four-year graduates transferred at least once during their college career. 

There are many reasons why students choose to transfer institutions, ranging from financial concerns, to completing a degree, to wanting a new environment.

A Financially Smart Start

For Kiya Whitaker, a Digital Media Arts major with a Professional Writing minor, transferring to Bridgewater College was a journey shaped

by practicality and financial concern. She first attended Germanna Community College because it was less of a financial strain for her. 

“I was planning to go to higher education. I wanted to go right out of high school like my friends, but because of finances, it was better for me to go to community college, and save money and work at the same time,” Whitaker said.

Community college provided Whitaker with some time to explore her interests and what she wanted to achieve in life. She eventually chose to pursue an art degree. 

After finishing with her associates degree, Whitaker was searching for ways to expand her education. She learned about the President’s Merit Award offered by Bridgewater College, which would cover the cost of tuition. After taking the opportunity and receiving the scholarship, Whitaker said it helped her overcome that financial hurdle. 

After growing accustomed to campus life, Whitaker found herself enjoying the different events hosted throughout the academic year. 

“One of the first events I went to was Homecoming with some new people that I had met and that was really fun,” Whitaker said. “Finals frenzy was a fun one as well. It’s just a really nice break from all the study right before finals, where you allow yourself to let loose and relax.”

According to Momentous Technologies, campus events help students by promoting connections with their peers. Those connections can foster a sense of community and reduce isolation.

Seeking Support

For Business Administration major Jadaya Hollins, transferring helped pave the way to finding the support she needed. During her time at Mary Baldwin University, Hollins didn’t feel connected to the campus community. 

She described a lack of support with her professors. 

“They didn’t help me with my accommodations that I needed for the classes,” Hollins said. She recalled that for her Biology exam, when she asked the professor about her time management accommodations, she was told she had to take the exam in the class with everyone else. 

She also struggled to connect socially.

“I had a group of friends and they were all talking bad about each other, behind each other’s back,” Hollins said. “Making fun of other people and saying these mean things towards other people. Some of them said mean things towards me.”

Fed up with the negativity, Hollins decided that enough was enough and made the decision to transfer to Bridgewater College. When she set foot on campus, she felt as if things were looking up for her.

She had a friend who offered to show her around and introduce her to new people, which helped her form new connections and support in the form of new professors.

“Dr. Vargas, my professor. She’s a club advisor for my club SHRM. She actually helped me talk in class.” Hollins said.

She also gave a shoutout to her advisor. 

“And, of course, I have to say Dr. Finseth. He helps me out with everything,” Hollins said, adding that . Finseth helped her look for internships and helps her keep her GPA up.

Villa Maria College stated that transfer students thrive by getting to know their advisors, becoming involved on campus and finding a comfortable environment.

A Plan in Motion

Kyle Sakai, an Elementary Education major and transfer from Laurel Ridge Community College, had always planned to transfer to a four-

year institution.

“Transferring was always a part of the plan.” Sakai said. “It was to go to a community college and finish my associates degree and then go to a university to get my bachelors.” 

He knew Bridgewater College was for him when he decided to tour the campus. 

Sakai described how he felt nervous and excited during the weeks leading up to his first semester. He was surprised how easy it was to build relationships at Bridgewater compared to Laurel Ridge.

“Just how personal the relationships are was the most surprising thing to me,” Sakai said. “I honestly found it very easy. It was just very easy to meet new people, integrate with them. Everyone’s very friendly here, and it was just very easy to find people.”

According to Sakai, the environment of Laurel Ridge was more impersonal. He described it as a place where students would go to class, the professor would lecture, and then the students would leave. 

He believes that Bridgewater’s campus and community managed to bring out his true colors.

“Bridgewater has really brought out a lot of my personality,” Sakai said. I feel like my interactions with other people has helped me open up and realize what I wanted to do.” 

Sakai also said that Bridgewater helped him get closer to his dream of finishing his bachelor’s degree and becoming an elementary school teacher.

The Bridgewater College website states that they work with students to make transferring easy by reviewing students for aid and waiving general education credits for those with an associate degree.

For Whitaker, Hollins and Sakai, transferring was about  finding a place where they could grow, connect, and advance towards their goals. At Bridgewater College, they found a community where they feel as if they truly belong.