A 22 Year Old Sophomore

I’m a transfer student and a 22 year old sophomore. Almost everyone my age has graduated or
is about to graduate, and they went straight to 4 year university. This can make a girl feel like a failure.

In 2015, I started my college career at Howard College here in San Angelo. I was not fresh out of
high school like most of my friends. I was fresh out from 2 gap years. Talk about having to do some
serious adjusting; I had to learn how to be a student again.

I was at Howard for three semesters, and I loved it. There is not much of a social aspect there,
but academically, Howard is fantastic. They have three buildings, small class sizes, and great professors
who truly care about you. The professors are probably my favorite part about Howard. They made me
feel welcomed, they encouraged me, and they wanted to see me succeed (and continue to do so).
When I go back to Howard, I’m always greeted by the professors, and they ask me how I’m doing in
school and in life. They can make a girl feel special.

I transferred here to ASU this spring. The classes are bigger, and there are a lot more than three
buildings to keep track of. However, there is a huge social aspect here. I have definitely had to come out
of my introvert shell. It’s been great here so far, but I probably wouldn’t have survived as much if I
didn’t go to Howard first.

I have struggled with that fact that I am two years behind in my college career. However, this
semester is the worst because if I had went straight to college, I would be graduating now. But you
know what, this doesn’t matter in the real world. What matters is that college degree, and I’m on track
to get mine. Sure, I might get mine with people 2 years younger than me, but who cares? I’m probably
the only person who cares. I’m pretty sure employers don’t look at the age you graduated, or that you
transferred from a community college. They look at the degree, which shouts committed.

So, for those of you who are a 22 year old sophomore, a transfer student, or not a typical
college student, it’s OK! You get a diverse college experience, which, to be honest, will probably help
you in the long run. Let’s do this “oddball” students!