There is a noticeable difference in experience between starting a degree program in the fall semester and starting mid-year, in the spring semester. I’ve done both. In fact, I switched schools three times while earning my bachelor’s degree in an effort to graduate early. As a result, I went to one school in the fall, another in the summer, and a third in the spring, and each was a completely different experience. Here’s what I’ve learned about successfully starting a new school during a nontraditional time of year.
how to start your school year strong ✨ 10 things to do ASAP
Whether you’re transferring to a new school mid-year or starting fresh in January, you’ll need to keep a line of communication open with your advisors and administrators. The thing about starting in the fall semester is that the school prepares for it in a big way, with welcoming events and accessible meeting times. In the spring semester, you may feel like you’re more on your own, so reach out to your admissions officers and advisor with any questions you have—it’s their job to help you. Plus, fewer students are coming in with questions and concerns, so the upside is that you’ll get more personalized attention.
Keep in mind that admins aren’t very reachable during the winter break. In my experience, it’s a bit easier to reach one during the fall semester, because they’re preparing for the year and basically working through the summer. They take their winter break pretty seriously, so you may be in a limbo with last-minute questions. My advice: keep emailing. They’ll eventually come back to the office and see your messages.
Some questions you may ask yourself:
