5 things to do to avoid the “sorry this class won’t transfer” moment

Transferring from community college to a university with your Associate of Arts degree is one of the best benefits of community college, and most students report that is their very goal upon enrolling at a community college.

However, it’s not always easy.

I just met with a friend and superstar community college graduate this morning who told me she just found out (a year before graduation from her 4-year university) that she’d have to take chemistry because her university and major required a physical science and she had taken two non-physical sciences at her community college.

Ahh!

Her community college education plan was matched with the university’s education plan for her particular major, but unfortunately the science requirement wasn’t communicated.

This happens a lot. And not only to community college students. I’ve had so many friends who’ve had issues with their transcripts, transfer credits, and graduation applications.

The credit-system is not perfect and advisors are swamped with so many students and reliant on computer systems that are not immune to both technological and human error.

While institutionally this should improve, you don’t want to just wait for things to get better or cross your fingers and hope this doesn’t happen to you.

As in all my content, I’m a big believer in giving you the tools necessary to advocate for yourself. So below are 5 things you can do to make sure you are only taking the classes you need to graduate on time:

1. Choose your transfer university and major ASAP
As soon as you can decide on your top-choice* transfer university and intended major at that university. Look online at the college catalog** and print out the degree plan for that major and bring it with you to every appointment with your community college advisor.

*If there are a few colleges you’re considering look at the course catalog education plans for all of them to see if there are any differences. If not, choose one to work from; if there are differences, choose the one that would best fit all the universities requirements.

**If this all sounds confusing to you ask a college graduate to help you navigate the university’s website or call the admissions office to ask for help looking for the education plan for the major you’re interested in. Don’t stop asking for help until you get what you need.

2. Meet with your advisor every semester to talk about your educational plan and graduation track
Show your academic advisor your four-year college catalog plan from the university and ask for help to map out your community college courses to meet those requirements. Check in every semester to ensure you’re still on the right track to graduate on time with the requirements your transfer university requires.

3. Review your transcript closely every semester and match it with your transfer university’s course catalog
This can be difficult at first but ask your academic advisor for help translating the transcript and understanding how it relates to your four-year educational plan. Get used to how it looks and pay attention to your progress towards graduation so that you’ll be attuned to notice if things get off track.

4. When possible meet with an advisor or admissions person at your transfer university to double-check that you’re on the right track
If you can’t meet with someone from your transfer university before you’re admitted, try bringing your transcript to a professor you trust as a mentor and ask for help. Professors have graduate degrees and can be a great second-eye on your transcript and educational plan.

5. Partner with a friend to do a transcript review exchange
Buddy up with a friend (ideally with the same plan as you, but it doesn’t have to be) and review each other’s transcripts every semester along with each other’s four-year educational plan. Getting a second or third eye on your transcript and degree progress is SO helpful.

My advisor at my 4-year university told me I was going to have to take 17 credits my final semester. I was all signed up for a ton of classes until a friend looked at my transcript for me and saw there was a mistake – I only needed 12 credits and was able to drop a class!

This may seem like a lot of extra work, but it’s the only way to ensure you graduate on time. No one cares about your educational plan and progress more than you.

Be your own advocate and be diligent in ensuring you are on the right track. Ultimately this is your life, your education. There are tons of people who will help you all along the way – it’s just up to you to ask and keep on asking.

Good luck and happy transferring. Remember that this journey, while complicated, is an exciting opportunity.

How to choose the right transfer university

The majority of community college students plan on transferring to a university after completing their A.A. degree. But how do you know where to transfer? This video can get you started in the right direction. :)

From community college to Georgetown: defying stereotypes

Mark Svensson just graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Government and International Relations from Georgetown University, one of the world's leading and most highly selective universities. Mark is also a community college graduate. 

Mark is also an academic superstar who defies community college stereotypes and whose dedication and initiative makes him a great role model for all students looking to move forward in their lives. 

Mark's success has been featured in the Community College Times and the New York Times, and recently he shared with me a behind-the-scenes look of his success, just for you. Much can be learned and modeled. 

As one of seven children, Mark chose to attend Rockland Community College in New York; when Mark graduated high school he just wasn't sure where his life was going to go. "I was more unsure about my future than ever."

Mark had heard great things about RCC's nationally renowned Sam Draper Mentor/Talented Students Honors Program(MTS) and felt confident choosing community college.

Community college honors programs are incredible, and yet in my work in a community college admissions office, I often heard too many bright students shy away from honors programs because of fear. They were already intimidated enough by college and did not want to make it more difficult. Mark, however, was up for the challenge, and I encourage you to accept the challenge if it is ever offered. 

RCC's Sam Draper MTS program is known for its exceptionally high percentage of graduates who transfer to Tier 1 & Ivy League institutions. 

However, simply entering an honors program is not enough. Going to class and going home is not enough. In today's competitive academic world, you must stand out in order to be accepted into a Tier 1 or Ivy League institution. And Mark did just that.

While at community college Mark earned incredible awards and accolades. He was accepted to Phi Theta Kappa and was named NY State's 2010 New Century Scholar and chosen as an elite-member of the All-USA Community College Academic Team. He won the Rockland County Distinguished Service Award and a Congressional Certificate of Appreciation. 

He was also selected to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University 2010 meeting held by President Clinton, where he was recognized for his work on the issue of modern-day slavery, as well as an invitation from Dr. Jill Biden to attend the first ever White House Summit on Community Colleges. 

If you're like many students, you read the list of awards above and you feel insignificant. That is how most of us feel when we read the impressive bios of others. But as I hope you know these success-story posts are not about telling you how awesome someone is to make you feel less-awesome. They are meant to help you transform your attitude when you read the bios and stories of others to: hey, if they can do it, I can do it too!

Because you can. 

I asked Mark what motivated him to do the work that led to all of these incredible awards and his subsequent acceptance to Georgetown:

"I remember it like it was yesterday. During my first semester at RCC, my English 101 Honors professor Dr. Nancy Leech informed the class that we would be going to hear a lecture in the Cultural Arts Building instead of our normal class. What I perceived as relaxation away from class would soon turn into inspiration.

The speaker’s name was Simon Deng. Mr. Deng, hailing from the Sudan, was no ordinary man. Quickly into the lecture, we would learn of Mr. Deng’s plight as a refugee in southern Sudan where at the age of nine he was abducted and sold into slavery. For me, this was the first time I was aware slavery still existed today, and Mr. Deng reaffirmed that in fact there are over 27 million slaves’ today - more slaves than at any other point in human history.

Shocked by the reality of the situation, and the personal anguish Mr. Deng experienced early in life, the lecture closed on an inspirational note. Before finishing up, Mr. Deng emphatically told us all that despite the horrors of issues such as slavery, etc, it only takes one person to help make a difference.

From an uninvolved quiet student, the rest of my time at RCC would be devoted towards taking up Mr. Deng’s call and helping make a difference in the fight against modern-day slavery."

While a student at RCC Mark established the SUNY Rockland Anti-Slavery Committee. Under the banner "Be the Key to Freedom" he led efforts to combat the modern human slave trade in the U.S. by lobbying state officials in New York and urging them pass a resolution that aims to stem the flow of enslaved people into the country. 

According to Mark, "each year an estimated 14,000 to 17,000 people are brought to the U.S. to be traded as human slaves, with New York state functioning as one of the largest trafficking hubs. In 2009, the legislature of Rockland County passed a memorializing resolution co-authored by me and since then several other local town board's in Rockland have done the same."

As a sophomore Mark's work earned  him the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. where he spoke with Congressman John Lewis about advocacy and human rights. 

Mark's advice? "There is really no secret behind my success. No matter where someone attends school, how old they are, etc. amazing things can happen when an individual decides to commit and dedicate themselves to something.

When the speaker Simon Deng said 'it only takes ONE person to help make a difference,' my social conscience awakened, sparking my motivation to want to do more and do better with my life. The sky truly is the limit, and with commitment, dedication and hard-work your dreams can become a reality. You just need to take that first step."

While it seems like all of this happens overnight, Mark's story took place over four years. And while it seems like a lot, it truly does start with the small first steps. Choosing community college. Enrolling in the honors program. Joining Phi Theta Kappa. Showing up for class. Paying attention to a guest speaker. Taking action on your campus. Being that one person who makes a difference.

When you start in community college, as Mark says, "the sky is the limit."

I'm accepted to my transfer university - now what?!

Darryl Arcales has just made a big change - she recently moved from south florida where she has just graduated from Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, with her AA in International Relations, to the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL to pursue a BA in Political Science. 

Miami Dade College is the largest and most well-known community college in the country. And the University of Florida is a "most selective" institution. 

Darryl on the left, posing with the incredible president of MDC, Dr. Padron

A huge congrats to Darryl!

She recently agreed to share her transfer story so that you can see how she made this transition, and what you should start doing now to prepare. And at the end of her story you'll find her amazing checklist to help you prepare to make the transfer once you've gotten that oh-so-exciting acceptance letter.  

How did you make your transfer decision? What influenced you?

"At first I had planned on going to a college out of state in North Carolina, but as I was bombarded with the transfer process, I started to really think about what I was doing: how will I be able to handle my new environment? Is it going to take a long amount of time to adjust? Will I have the support around me that I need to succeed? Could I afford a plane ticket every time I wanted to visit home?" 

"Thus, I decided to pursue my acceptance at The University of Florida because it would allow me to still be able to afford to go home when I needed to, and would give me the opportunity to study at one of the top programs for Political Science."

Darryl also explains that she has friends at UF already who have been helping her adjust to the new enviornment. While it is really important for you to step outside of your comfort zone when you transfer, any head start you're able to get when it comes to help, familiarity, and guidance is huge. Definitely start making those friends and building those connections early. 

What are you majoring in and how did you choose the major?

"I was undecided at first, but my involvement with Student Government and getting the Goal 2025 fellowship from the Lumina Foundation really influenced me in declaring a political science major." 

What were your biggest obstacles in adjusting to your transfer institution?

"Finding my way around school because UF is a big campus that accommodates over 50,000 students! I use the RTS buses (the transit system for Gainesville) just to get from one building to another. Another obstacle is living on my own. There is no mom or dad to clean up my messes or cook meals for me when I am hungry. I’m starting to really learn what it means to be independent and taking responsibility for myself."

What helped you the most in getting adjusted at your transfer institution? 

"Staying later on campus and just see what’s going on and getting involved in clubs and stuff. Also, I have really good friends from Miami here helping me go through this time of change."

What helped you make friends at your transfer institution?

"Being myself and being straightforward from the get go. I know that every transfer student (myself included) is nervous and scared because we’re in a new environment; we're trying to get situated and we see the people around already with their little groups." 

I definitely experienced this too. Being yourself and not being afraid to talk to people and try out clubs on the first day of class is essential. And like Darryl says, find the other transfer students! They'll be glad you did. 

What advice can you share that you wish someone would have shared with you before you transferred from community college to a university?

"Get lost on campus so you can find the interesting places to hang out or quiet places to study besides the library. I found out that the UF wellness centers provides spa massages if you’re feeling stressed from school!"

What advice can you share with readers based on what has worked well for you in transferring?

"Trusting your instinct and doing what’s right for yourself. Not letting anyone’s judgment faze your decision making process."

I would love to hear your story on the blog as well. To learn more, visit http://isaadney.com/blog/you/

Darryl has also become the resident go-to person for all her friends during their transfer process, and my guess is that is because she's just such a nice, helpful, and together person. If you are going through the transfer process right now or plan to relatively soon, Darryl had an incredible checklist to share (she recommends starting this as SOON as you are accepted to your transfer institution)!

Once you have received your college acceptance letters and narrowed down your choice: 

• Ask for a credit evaluation of all the classes you took for the past two years; it takes a week for the school to process. Some schools will make you retake credits.
• Confirm that you have filed out your FAFSA and/or the CSS Profile. Check reward statuses and tell your transfer school that they are receiving additional aid such as Bright Futures and Prepaid or other scholarships from outside sources.
• Sign up for orientation. The earlier orientation date, the better so they can immediately register for classes.
• Start preparing the immunization forms and insurance verification forms. President Obama signed a bill making it possible for college students to stay on their parents coverage until they are 26.
• If you are looking for on-campus housing, sign up immediately because those spaces tend to fill up because you'll also be competing for space with freshmen. 
• If you are looking for an apartment, start gathering your roommates and start hunting. Ask yourself if you prefer individual or joint leases, furnished or unfurnished? Whats great is that some student apartments offer all inclusive-meaning utilities are included with the rent. American Campus Communities are great because they are practically in every state. Or some schools such as UF have websites such as SwampRentals.com to help narrow down choices according to your preferences. Call ahead to some of those complexes and ask how full are they in terms of occupancy and for an appointment to tour and potentially sign a lease. Take your parents with you because some student apartments need the guarantor (person who will guarantee you will pay rent on time) to be there. Bring necessary identification.
• Talk to your parents about finances. Me and my mom have been dividing up who will be responsible for what when I transfer. Like for example, my mom is paying for my rent and I will be paying for food, books, tuition, travel and miscellaneous expenses.
• Look over the conditions under which you are accepted to the college. For example, I wasn't officially admitted to the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences until I passed Government and International Relations with a grade of B or higher and I was granted the AA degree.
• Send in final transcripts (hold for degree) and do the online modules for orientation.

A Community College Transfer Success Story: Alex Lambis

When it comes to transferring from community college to a university, the transition can be daunting. Most every community college transfer I talk to has commented on the difficulties of the process – applying to college all over again, fitting in, making new friends, getting involved, and trying to do it all in just a few short years.

The best part, however, is that they are talking about it. So many transfer students feel like they are all alone in this process. When the truth is, transfer students almost outnumber students who stay at one institution all four years.

So this summer I’m going to be highlighting some amazing transfer success stories to start the conversation, and give you some friends and ideas to help create an incredible transfer experience for yourself, or give you advice to share with a friend.

Today’s transfer success story comes from a recent University of Central Florida graduate, and an incredible student leader.

Last year Alex (a Seminole State College alum) approached me (as the Student Life Coordinator at Seminole State College) to come back and do a transfer students success panel event.

I thought this was a great idea and immediately ordered the pizza to get students to come. Alex organized alumni from some of the colleges that surround Seminole State (e.g. Stetson, Rollins, FSU, and UCF) to come speak to current students about what it was like to transfer, and give them advice on how to make it a successful experience.

I was amazed at how many students came. But what surprised me even more, was how many students listened intently and took notes.

I could see it in the eyes of the participants – they saw that if these students could get full rides to universities and have a great transfer experience, than they could too.

My biggest turning point was when a professor looked me in the eye and told me community college could be a launching point to wherever I wanted to go in my life.

Alex created that launch-feeling for these students.

So check out Alex’s story below to get that feeling and see a great example of transfer success. He has a lot of incredible advice to share. And while transferring is never easy, getting to know others who have been there will always make it easier.

How did you make your transfer decision? What influenced you?

"I received a full ride scholarship to go to UCF, through a First Generation Mens scholarship. I also loved the fact that UCF had such a strong relationship with Seminole State (called Direct Connect). At the campus I was at, they have a UCF/Seminole State Partnership Center, making it easy to gain access to information about transferring They were extremely welcoming to transfer students."

What are you majoring in and how did you choose your major?

"I majored in Interpersonal/Organizational Communication. I chose this major because of the many different fields I could enter into with it. Communication was also a degree that helped me sharpen my public speaking skills, which I knew could help me in any field I chose to pursue."

What were your biggest obstacles in adjusting to UCF?

"The biggest challenge about transferring was rebuilding friendships. This is where being a transfer student can get awkward! You feel like a freshman because you are new to everything about the university, but at the same time you already have 2+ years of college under your belt." 

"When you transfer to a new school, it can be difficult to start new friendships, especially if you built strong ones at your last institution. The majority of people you meet are already familiar with the campus and have an established community. You have to make an effort to get out of your comfort zone, talk to them, and create that social experience you are looking for."

What helped you make friends at your transfer institution?

"CLUBS, CLUBS, CLUBS, CLUBS, CLUBS!!!!!! I joined a club/organization that suited my interests. Having that strong sense of community of people that truly cared about me helped me build friendships that I believe I will have for life."

What advice can you share that you wish someone would have shared with you before you transferred from community college to a university?

"Do not be afraid to try new things. I was scared of moving closer to campus my first year at UCF because I had always lived at home. I also allowed the fear of not having enough money get to me, as well as the pressure from my family to continue to live at home." 

"But if you're a person that loves to be at school and loves to get involved, being close to campus is a must! Having to commute 45 minutes a day from my parents' house in order to get to campus became exhausting. I found it harder to get involved and feel connected to the UCF community. Moving closer was something that I would have done immediately upon starting my first year. However, I did learn from my mistake, and moved closer to UCF my senior year."

What advice can you share with readers based on what has worked well for you in transferring?

"Consider getting an on-campus job. They are awesome and very rewarding and I highly recommend seeking them out! It is extremely convenient to get out of class and be able to walk straight to work. The jobs are competitive, but having built a strong resume with leadership experience during my two years at Seminole State helped me get the jobs."

"My first year at UCF, I worked for Transfer and Transition Services as a Peer Mentor and then I worked at Career Services as a Career Peer Advisor my second year. Both jobs, have allowed me to attend UCF special events that students normally wouldn't attend, meet college administrators and staff, and helped me feel even more connected to UCF. These experiences were a huge contribution to my overall college experience."

If you or someone you know has a transfer success story to share, check out isaadney.com/blog/you and follow the directions to submit your story. 

Thanks Alex!

College is Like Sports - you must be willing to work hard, explore options, and take The Big Lead

College is Like Sports - you must be willing to work hard, explore options, and take The Big Lead

You may have heard recently about all of the trade rumors going around regarding athletes such as Peyton Manning andDwight Howard. In one case, a player is forced to go. In the other, the player wants to go.

What is interesting to me, is that many of them do “go” at some point. Players rarely stay with one team forever (by the time this post is up Manning and Howard may very well already be on another team). They are traded and moved around. However – this doesn’t change how hard they must work in their current situation, because their performance affects who will want them next.

Exploring options, taking chances, working hard, and being willing to move around is what defines the success of Jason McIntyre, new friend of mine and founder of the popular sports blog regularly featured in newspapers, radio, and television -  The Big Lead.

I talked with Jason earlier this week to find out the story behind his successful blog (5-6 million page views per month andrecently purchased by USA Today Sports Media Group!) and his life. He has some great perspectives that I hope will serve to ease your nerves about your personal “trade” rumors that keep you fearful of your next move.    

Jason has known he wanted to be a writer since his 8^th grade creative writing class. If only we could all be so lucky! He was aware of his love for writing immediately, and began pursuing it avidly. When it came time for Jason to go to college, he applied to eight universities and got into seven – all but his top choice, James Madison University.  He started off at Virginia Tech for his first two years and then transferred to JMU (Jason notes it was much easier to get into his top choice school as a transfer because there was less competition –good news!).

While Jason isn’t a community college graduate, he shares the similar transfer experience, and found it difficult to acclimate to a new environment with people who had already formed bonds for the past two years. In addition, some of Jason’s credits from Virginia Tech didn’t transfer to JMU.

So what did he do?

Jason got involved. He lived near campus. He broke into the journalism program crowd. He joined the newspaper staff. He kept pushing even when it was hard to get established. He made himself a part of the new team. 

Jason also stayed in college for a 5th year to make up for the classes that didn’t transfer. He took two classes each semester and worked an internship at a newspaper. Jason owes a lot to this 5^th year, and was thankful for it. It really helped him ease his transition into the real world, and if any of you are a post-grad, you know how difficult that transition is.

It is always best to get your degree in the way that saves you the most time and money (e.g. taking 5 years to graduate college because you fail classes and party a lot is not a good option). However, Jason’s 5^th year was highly purposeful. It allowed him to transfer to JMU’s journalism program and spend a valuable year working in an internship for a newspaper. There’s not always a need to rush to the next phase of your life.

This experience led Jason to his first job as a sports reporter for a small paper in New Jersey. Jason credits his success to not being afraid to move away and try something different. From there, Jason hopped around to a variety of assignments, moving up to the larger newspaper that merged the sports section of the smaller one with the larger one, and then moving into a big job in the NY City entertainment media industry when the previous newspaper job proved to no longer be the best fit.

But then something happened. Jason missed writing about sports. He always loved sports; he realized that if he couldn’t play them professionally, the next best thing (and what he was talented at) was to write about them.

And thus, The Big Lead was born. It took years before The Big Lead moved from a website Jason worked at two hours every morning before work and two or more hours every night after work, to a full-time job. Again, overnight success is a myth.

Jason confirms that hustle is the most important aspect of success in your life; it’s about going the extra mile and spending your time wisely towards your goals.

“If you want to build something, you have to hustle.”

But what is great about Jason is that he is very balanced. He values having fun (which is apparent when you read The Big Lead) and also knows how to work really hard (which is apparent via his stellar writing skills).

You should be hustling in your life every day, but not at the total expense of fun. Because as Jason confirms, once you reach adulthood, fun with friends like you can have in college is just not the same.

Jason’s advice to share with you that he wished someone would have shared with him in college?

Networking is crucial!

(I swear I’m not making these things up).

When I first started writing my book all about the power of relationship-building for college students, it was only something that I had seen work powerfully in my own collegiate and professional life. And now the more I read and the more successful people I talk to, it is apparent that this is a universal principle.

And the good news is, as Jason highlights, you are living in the greatest time in history for networking! When Jason was in college he had to physically mail stuff to people in order to connect with them (you know, mail, like paper letters written with ink and sent via stamps? ;))

Today, you have tons of sites and e-mails at your fingertips to find people who do what you want to do, to find people whom you can learn from: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, StudentMentor.org, etc.

Go on one of these sites right now and ask advice of someone who has a job that interests you. Don’t think just do it - hustle! And if you’re not sure exactly what to say, what to ask, or how to approach someone, you can learn it all in my book.

As Jason advises, “if you want to be an astrophysicist, follow one on Twitter!” Read their tweets, build a relationship, and ask for advice.

For all Jason’s success, he is one of the most humble guys I’ve met. It was so hard to pry out of him what makes him successful, because he kept referring to luck. It’s because he’s humble and he recognizes all of the incredible twists and turns and trades in his life that he seemingly had no control over.

However, as the old adage goes, luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

And Jason has always been prepared by knowing what he wanted to do with his life, and willing to hustle every day, no matter what team he was on. 

Find out who you are, what you love, and what you’re good at, and hustle every day. You do not have to wait until you have the right job, the right credential, or move to the right place. You just have to play your hardest, and be willing to adjust your plans when opportunities come your way.

You can follow Jason on Twitter.






To read more about Isa's personal story & how you can build relationships to: make positive friends, be more successful in academics and work, find the right people to connect with, and access the hidden job market, grab a FREE e-copy of the first chapter of Community College Success: How to Finish with Friends, Scholarships, Internships, and the Career of Your Dreams! Claim your free copy on the Facebook page!

Are You Stalling?

 Hi Everyone, I am in Boston, MA this week facilitating LeaderShape. We are asked to "unplug" for the week and have little access to the internet, so I have asked my good friend and fellow community college graduate and Jack Kent Cooke Scholar - Tiffany Mathis - to guest post for me. You will love her. Please feel free to share comments or e-mail me and I'll be sure she gets your love :) I will have lots of inspiration to share when I return! - Isa

“We cannot discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Anonymous

 
When Isa asked me to write a blog last week I wanted to say no... should have said no, but I said yes.

This week I had to come down to Miami Beach for a conference. Miami is really, really hot in May so I tortured my self by sitting by the pool, sweating and procrastinating, before I decided I should start writing the blog.

Then I spent about an hour laboring to find the perfect font; I went through all of the fonts on my Mac, found myself torn between Century Schoolbook and Helvetica, and then I read wikipedia articles for the topography tie breaker. In the end I decided on Helvetica, because it's obviously a super great font for blogging. 

But even after I was properly fonted, I wasn't inspired. So I got a giant doodle pad and I started sketching this huge cloud outline, not content, just really big clouds with lines. In the end, I just wanted to email Isa that I was throwing up all over my hotel room and couldn't write the blog right now.

And that was when I realized I was stalling.

So I grabbed a pen and forced myself to write because stalling wasn't option. 

In just the last few weeks my entire world transformed -- I graduated from UF with a degree in broadcasting, decided I didn't want to be a broadcaster, started thinking about jobs because I felt like every one else was, and watched all my friends pack up four years of memories and hit I-75. 

Everything around me started shifting and moving forward, but not me. 

I started digging my feet into the sand hoping not to get washed away with the influx of changes. I sat in my apartment surrounded by my roommate's boxed up things, stalling my life, because, in all honesty, I was afraid of the shift from college to real life because I didn't know what was next. 

Then last week, in the middle of my hiding, my phone rang and on the other end was my first real job offer.

Instead of peeing my pants with excitement, I stalled. I was suddenly straddling the line between before and after, old and new. All I had to do was step over to the other side to start the new chapter of my life. 

But instead of making the leap, I froze. I felt like I was having a panic attack.

And then in the middle of tunnel vision, it hit me: I have always been scared of these life transitions. 

Before high school graduation, my mom had to dress me in my cap and gown while I hyperventilated in a paper bag because I didn't want to leave high school. 

Before my first week at UF, I passed out in an Office Max aisle when I smelled fresh school supplies. 

But if I hadn't put on my high school cap and gown, I never would have been a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar or met my best friend Matt. And if I hadn't gone on to university I would never have stood on the top of the Eiffel Tower or co-produced a documentary. 

And suddenly in that moment, being scared was irrelevant. I had to move forward. 

Stalling wasn't an option. 

The transitions in life are scary - they are uncertain and force you to face new things, new people, and new places. But by being to afraid to take the next step, I risked not experiencing life.

In the short years of high school and college, the amount transitions are overwhelming and filled with growing pains. But if you find yourself afraid of crossing the threshold into the new stage of your life, remember that this isn't the first transition you've encountered and it won't be your last. 

You can't know what doors will open in life, but if you hold yourself back because you're scared, you'll never get anywhere. Being afraid isn't a good enough reason to stop yourself from experiencing things like meeting your best friend or going to Europe.

If you never let yourself find out what is next you'll never get to experience what's next. 

And what's next could be totally awesome.

So take chances, embrace changes. Because stalling just isn't an option.

PS: I took the job - I move to D.C. in two weeks. Wish me luck :)