Is Transferring Courses Worth It? How To Tell - Freshered
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Is Transferring Courses Worth It? How To Tell

Zoe Kramer May 25, 2023

We all enter into university hoping to love our chosen course, but that’s not always a reality. There are many reasons why a subject may not be what you were expecting — oftentimes the jump between secondary and undergraduate education can shift how it’s taught, you have different instructors and different expectations. So, if you find yourself regretting your decision or simply not enjoying your course, don’t worry. There are plenty of options available, and you’re not stuck in it. Here is how to tell if transferring courses is worth it for you.

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Assess Your Progress

Transferring to a different course, whether in the same university or a different university, is a big decision. It comes with different implications depending on how long you’ve been studying so far. If you’re nearing graduation, it’s a big step to take. If you’re only in your first year, however, it’s easier to make the change. Still, even if you have progressed, don’t let the sunk cost fallacy prevent you from doing what you want.

Consult With A Staff Member

One step you can take to help with the decision is to get in touch with a staff member who can provide guidance. This could be your personal tutor, or possibly a head of department in the school you wish to transfer to. They can address your concerns individually and provide more information about what to expect if you go through with the transfer.

Compare Subject Matter

An important part of deciding is transferring courses worth it is analyzing the differences between your options. Every subject is difficult in different ways. Ask about how much time you will be expected to spend in lectures, seminars, labs, studying on your own, or in different activities. Make sure that the source of your dissatisfaction with your original course will not also be present in the new course.

Compare Instruction

One of the biggest factors in your degree is how it’s taught. See what methodology is used in your desired course and whether it fits with your needs. Reaching out to someone on this course can also give you insight into different experiences of it.

Follow Your Gut

Ultimately, regardless of where you are on your journey, the most important thing is to make a decision you will be able to stand by in the future. Even if it isn’t the easier option, you should do what you want to do, rather than what you feel like you should do, or what is expected of you.

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Zoe Kramer has been writing for GRV Media’s student-centric website Freshered since October 2022 and is now also contributing to HITC. She graduated from Cardiff University in 2022 with a BA in Journalism, Media and English Literature. During her time in university, she worked for her student newspaper as well as completing an internship with a book publisher. She has also written and continues to write book and theatre reviews. She is excited to now be pursuing a career as a journalist and learning something new every day. In particular, she loves writing about student life, books, the Internet, and travel. Originally from the United States, she is enjoying living abroad in the UK.