Choosing where to go to college is not an easy decision. Considering there are 50 states filled with great universities, trying to pick the right one can seem almost impossible. Factors like distance away from home, majors, price, location, friends, significant others, and much more all play a role in the decision-making process. It is inevitable that sometimes, one’s first choice ends up being the wrong one.

With the end of the semester right around the corner, students at the University of Wisconsin will be anxiously leaving for break. However, some of them will not return in January.

Transferring colleges may not be the ideal situation, but it is one that is becoming more popular. Although there are many different reasons why students transfer, four of them voiced their personal experiences.

Freshman Lia Gentilini is leaving at the end of this semester to attend The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She explained, “It’s not that I don’t like UWL. I am transferring because I have decided to major in nursing, and UWL does not have that major. Scholastica was my very close next option and they have my major, so it makes sense for me to go there instead.”

Another freshman, however, may have to leave unwillingly from UWL. Angelo Camalieri described, “I recently found out that my grandpa has cancer. I have always been really close to him and it really hurts to know that I can’t do anything while I am in La Crosse to help. Even though I love UWL and don’t want to leave, I am thinking about transferring closer to home to help take care of him.”

Kim Johnson, a student at UWL, transferred here from the University of Wisconsin-Washington County. She stated, “It was a two-year community college, so I graduated from there and then wanted to get my bachelor’s degree. I was happy I went to UWWC because it allowed me to get my generals done at a cheap price, but I am very happy I transferred to UWL.”

Melissa Vander Sluis described her situation by explaining, “I transferred from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities because I realized the atmosphere wasn’t the right fit for me. I’m originally from Madison, so it also felt like I was very far from home. I heard some friends from high school talk about how great La Crosse was, so I trusted them completely and decided to transfer here. I am definitely happy with my decision.”

College is a big enough adjustment as is, so it is important that students love the environment they are in. Transferring away from a school doesn’t mean it is a bad school, sometimes it just isn’t the right fit. In a time of making the biggest decision of one’s life so far, it makes sense that sometimes people get it a little wrong. No matter which university a student attends, the thing that counts is their happiness and their education.