<p>I’m attending VCU this fall as a sophomore. I messed up my high school grades pretty badly and took a year to go to community college where I actually did really well, and then applied to transfer. My two biggest worries are how to meet people to hang out with, form study groups with, etc, and how much harder the curriculum is going to be versus community college. I’m in the mass comm program specializing in journalism.</p>
<p>My main worry about meeting people is that it’s just such a big school that the idea is kind of daunting. I have friends/know people down there from high school/CC, and I’m planning on getting involved with groups, but is there anything else I should try? </p>
<p>As for the harder curriculum, all I’ve heard is that you have to write a lot more, and better, at a four year school versus CC. Writing essays is definitely a strength of mine, but am I going to be totally out of my depth the first time I get assigned a paper? </p>
<p>Also, I have 3 roommates in a 4 bedroom suite, is that going to be all right or a nightmare? I was excited about it at first because that’s 3 more people on the campus that I’ll know but it definitely has the possibility to be… not fun.</p>
<p>I’m a girl if that helps at all. I was on the newspaper in high school and played soccer (not for the school, just in a community league) and I’d like to do that again (casually play a sport and participate in some school journalism).
I’m moving in on either the 15th or the 16th.</p>
<p>So, yeah, does anyone who was in the same position as me have advice or cautionary tales?</p>
<p>At my school, there was an org for transfer students, so you may want to consider seeing if your school has something similar. I know a few transfer students that met a lot of people that way, and it helps to know people who are in the same situation as you. Joining other orgs, especially ones that have social events, can also be a good way to meet people, and if you’re living on campus, your dorm will likely have different activities throughout the year that you can participate in.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in soccer, you could see if your school has intramural or club soccer teams. That would be a great way to meet new people, as well.</p>
<p>In terms of the change in academic workload, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If you’re schedule allows it, you can take fewer classes your first semester to help yourself transition. Your school may have a tutoring or writing center that you can use if you’re struggling, or you can ask someone at the writing center to look over your first paper for you. They often have an idea of what kind of writing that professors expect.</p>
<p>Professors and TAs are often also willing to help you out with your paper to give you an idea of what they expect. They may not have the time to read drafts, but they are usually willing to talk about your thesis or other concerns you may have.</p>
<p>If you have three roommates in a four bedroom suite, does that mean you all have your own room? If so, that sounds like a great living arrangement to me. You get your own space, while still being able to socialize with others nearby. If it’s four people in one room, then that might be crowded, but it’s still doable.</p>
<p>Journalism is definitely writing-intensive anywhere, so I think that’s the only thing you need to worry about.</p>
<p>I transferred and IMO the best way to immerse yourself is just to join organizations that cater to your interest and follow that. You’ll meet people with similar mindsets, ideals, and goals and that allows for easy making of friends. 
With big classes, I’d probably just suggest you to make at least one friend per class so you have someone to study with and someone to ask questions to. </p>
<p>Working on the school newspaper proved to also be a great way to make journalism friends!</p>
<p>Thanks guys - a lot of this has been mentioned to me but hearing it again just proves it’s good, trustworthy advice. :)</p>
<p>I am living in a 4 bedroom suite, separate bedrooms with a common area with kitchenette, washer/dryer. Two bathrooms. So a pretty good set up and I get some privacy. Still a little worried about living with three strangers. I found one on facebook and she seems nice but is a hardcore sorority girl so we probably won’t have all that much in common. Oh well.</p>
<p>That actually sounds like a great setup, like a four-bedroom apartment. Keep an open mind with your roommates. I’ve lived with many strangers throughout undergrad (I stayed on campus with one roommate, but everyone else I would have roomed with moved off campus), and I never had any problems. There are always little quirks about everyone, but for the most part, they were all friendly and nice. The great thing about college too is that everyone has very different schedules, so you’ll all be in and out at different times.</p>
<p>With roommates I didn’t have much in common with, we generally kept to our own schedules and friends. We’d chat when we were doing stuff in the common areas or go to some dorm events together, but for the most part, we would keep out of each other’s way. With roommates that I had more in common with (or who I just clicked with more), we’d hangout more, get food together, etc. If you don’t have much in common with your roommates, it’s not heartbreaking nor does it have to impair your living experience, but keep an open mind. You may have more in common with them then you initially think.</p>