Cara: Welcome back to our Transfers Talks podcast. My name is Cara Jean and I'm a Transfer Jacks Peer Mentor. Joining me today is our lovely guest who would like to share their transfer experience with us. Introduce yourself. Nic: My name is Nic Silvestris, I'm a junior. This is my first year here at NAU, transferring from back home in Massachusetts. Cara: Oh wow, that's a long way. Nic: That's quite a long way, yeah. We're going across the country and up a mountain. Cara: Oh man, yeah, that is quite the elevation difference too, isn't it? Does the snow remind you back home at all? Nic: Yeah, unfortunately it does too much. I tried to avoid it. I thought I was avoiding it coming to Arizona, but come to find out. Cara: You've got me. Nic: Came to the wrong part. Cara: You ended up in the snowiest place we've got. I mean, you travel two miles, two hours down towards Phoenix, it's gone. Nic: Yeah, those are more my people, the lizards in the valley. Cara: Oh, see, there's snow people and then there's sun people. I hadn't seen snow for eight years until I moved here. My first semester down here when it snowed, I was just going crazy. I'm like, I couldn't get enough of it. To each their own, you know? To start us off, we're going to get some lighthearted questions in here. What are some of your favorite things about campus, the NAU environment? Nic: Sure. This is definitely the largest university I've been to and lived on. I would say number one has been the people. They're just so much nicer. That's not to talk bad about the East Coast people, but it's usually head down, you're in a rush, mind your own business. I mean, I get lost in a phone booth, so directions around a big place like this has been so helpful for the people to just guide me to where I need to go, be patient with me, whether it be my roommates, people in the buildings or my professors, whoever it be, people have been so nice out here. Obviously, the environment, granted, it's gotten a lot colder than I hoped it would early on, but just the scenery, just being able to walk around every day and see the mountains, feel the weather, that's been amazing. I would say the facilities have been pretty nice. Cara: Good. Nic: You know, that's been really nice. Yeah, it's definitely this being such a spread out campus is much different than what I'm used to, but the people just help me appreciate everything. It's been great. Cara: I'm really glad to hear that. Thankfully, a lot of the forest dwelling people tend to be a lot sweeter because it tends to be a little closer-knit. Flagstaff is a good bit smaller than Phoenix and stuff, so when you get so many people closer together, you start recognizing people. You kind of get a better sense of community there, but thankfully, a lot of these signs around campus, in terms of directions have been recently installed, so thankfully, it's a little harder to get lost. Nic: They knew I was coming. Cara: Yeah. They were like, oh man, we got to look out for Nic. Nic: Yeah. Cara: Along the same lines, why did you choose NAU? Nic: Oh, I guess there's two major facets. One is the financial decisions, which I think is major for any student. Cara: Of course. Nic: Thankfully, I was in a position with grants and scholarships that made it feasible for me to travel, so that kind of ties into the second part where I just wanted to travel. Where I'm from, it's a very small town. My graduating class in high school is about 110 kids, and I knew most of them since I was the size of a duck, so it was time for me to get off the island out there in Cape Cod. I wanted to travel, and I felt school gave me the best opportunity for now, financial, and thankfully, filling out grants, scholarships, like I said, and just being smart enough that people gave me money for that. Cara: Good for you. Nic: Yes, thank you. That made it an easy decision that it made it affordable and just gave me an opportunity to travel. Then I actually knew a few people, like one of my mom's friend's daughters, came out here. She had a great experience. Then I just heard good things about Flagstaff, to be honest, just as a town, and it just made it really appealing to come out here, and thankfully, it's been a great experience so far. Cara: Yeah, that's a really, really good backstory. I mean, you've got that combination of just one to leave that East Coast, one in getting those scholarships. It's such a good triage of things that you've got going for you. Nic: I would say, if I can, just one thing with the scholarships, I think a lot of people, they don't realize, I don't want to say it's easily accessible, but you just really have to put the time in. Of course, some of them are like a lottery. There's so many people applying for that branch of money, but regardless of what field you're in or what you're studying, I think there's so many great opportunities for grants and scholarships, and even through different forms of financial aid. You've got to take the time and do it. Cara: Absolutely. I could not agree more. If Nic and I have any advice for you, put yourself out there! Nic: For sure. Cara: Write forms, just sit down with your favorite drink and just like, write an essay that you can apply to dozens at a time. Nic: Right. Cara: Like, it just takes that little bit of effort, and that's tough for some people. I do understand, but we have resources for that too, like the writing commons and the library. People are really here to help you and they want to see you succeed. Nic: Absolutely. Making connections, whether it be with your advisor, different counselors, especially professors. They love writing letters of recommendation. Cara: Yes! Nic: You know, and so they're great resources too. They're a big help back home. Cara: You're my kind of man, Nic. You get me. Absolutely. Just like don't be afraid to just really get your foot in the door. Like really get it in there. Absolutely! What made you choose your specific field of study? What do you want to do with it? Nic: Sure. So I kind of went through the whole regular role of going in my freshman year back home. I went to UMass Dartmouth and I went in as a business major. Cara: Ok. Nic: So it was kind of pounding in my head, you know, deal with money to make money. And I realized sitting behind an Excel spreadsheet for eight hours a day, not my type of deal. So I ended up leaving there and transferring to the community college back home and studying psychology. And I was enjoying that, but it reached a level with the science classes that I realized that was also not my field. So a quick pivot with a really good talk with one of my English professors and she recommended I just try writing more casually because I seem to be pretty good at it. And I've always been a bookworm and kind of like an owl. I just sit behind books and I stay up at night just reading and writing. So I decided to switch to an English major, met some wonderful professors. My last year at Four Seas, so Cape Cod Community College, shortened Four Seas the acronym, and decided to really give it a go. Had some success writing and trying to get myself published in some smaller arts magazines and whatnot, and realized if I do anything involved with reading or writing it doesn't feel like work. I think that's the biggest thing for me. I hear people talk about their careers, they're falling in love with doing something. And a lot of times they say, you know, I get paid for doing something I love. And, you know, obviously, fingers crossed I get paid at all in the English world. But, you know, hopefully, I'll try my hand at writing some independent. But like I said, if I do anything, whether the editorial process, the publishing process, just anything involving, you know, literature and writing, I'll be, you know, happy as a pig in the mud. Cara: I'm loving all your East Coast sayings. That makes me so happy. I've got so many from Ohio because I was born in Ohio. So like, you speak my language. But that is genuinely so, so sweet. I think it's really important that people find that passion. Nic: Right. Cara: Because nowadays, so many people are focused on what's going to make me money, which is a valid concern, especially because like the economy, you know, but like, it's important to find that passion, and I think it's also important that you accept when things change. And like you being willing to go away from business and then go away from science. That's a big step. It can be really daunting to people that... let's ignore that. It can be really daunting to people when they need to change. But it's necessary. Change is a good thing when you look at it through a good lens. Nic: I agree. And I think if there's any time to pivot and make changes in your life, it's now when you're young, you have the opportunities. Cara: Yes, absolutely. When you're young and flexible is when you need to do it. And like, there's going to be time. And one of the things I say to everybody is I'm like, life is short and life is long, but not necessarily in that order. Like you got to make the most of what time you have. And if change is what makes you happy, you need to change. Absolutely. So I'm glad you found that passion. That's that is truly wonderful. That makes me really happy. You touched on it a little bit, but what is what was more of your experience at your previous schools? What do you feel is-is different? Nic: Sure. So obviously, one major facet is the size of the school. So for reference, the community college back home, you could only commute there. You know, there's no living arrangements. Granted, it was pretty close. I lived about 20 minutes away from it. The student body is smaller, like there is no real lecture halls. You know, so every class you take is about 20, 25 students, which I've realized here, too. I mean, with the larger student body, the classes are about the same size. It did feel a little bit more personal, especially because the school is so much smaller. The faculty is a little bit smaller. So you have repetition with professors and a lot of the student body. And then just the area you're in, everyone kind of knows everybody, or at least you know someone who knows somebody just because it is a very small area. So coming out here, that's been- obviously this is a full blown university. Cara: Yeah. Nic: It's a different feel. But I realized, too, and I guess it could speak to anybody that's thinking of transferring or thinking of, you know, their first year experience or whatnot, is just that the schoolwork doesn't change that much. Yeah. And the expectations, you know, they may rise as you reach higher levels in classes from a 101 to a 200 or what it went up. But it's really just the work you put in is what you get out. I realized from college, whether it be, you know, the UMass I went to or the community college, to this school, it's- it's sort of that independent feel that you get what you put into it. And that's not to say you can't rely on professors, and there's good and bad professors, like we all have had experience with both, but I wasn't sure the workload and the expectation thinking, oh, it's a big school, it's going to be that much, I don't say tougher, that's almost subjective, but just that experience of being overwhelmed, thinking every class is going to be in a lecture hall, thinking, you know, the teacher is not going to have a minute to talk to me after the lecture, you know, the teacher is not going to have a minute to talk to me after class. And that's not the case at all. Cara: Yeah. Nic: At least here. Cara: That's good. I'm really glad to hear it. Um, it that overwhelming feeling is so common, especially in first years, because like, you, you go into it, it's big, it's overwhelming everyone. It feels like everyone's against you just because of how massive it is. And I think I've already touched on this on a previous episode. But just remembering that everyone's been in your shoes, everyone's felt that overwhelming. Nic: Right. Cara: Everyone knows what it's like to be like, am I going to succeed? And when you start talking about those feelings, it becomes much easier when you realize, oh, people are here to help me not hinder me, it becomes so much easier. So absolutely. Nic: And especially a program here, like with the Transfer Jacks, and talking to my peer mentor and just everybody in the building. Any sort of questions I have, it just alleviates those concerns and that overwhelming feeling, especially the more and more people you talk to. And you realize a lot of people have had similar situations, you know, or at least can can feel those empathetic feelings and the compassion for you, whatever you're dealing with, and that's been really useful too. Cara: Good! And see this, like, not to make him a star here, but like genuinely, that's such a good mindset. It's people are here to help you. Resources, use them. Don't bottle up the things you've got to say. If there's something you got to say, say it. Nic: Right. There's no reason to feel alone. I'll say that. Cara: Yeah. In the words of Shrek, our wise sage, Shrek, better out than in. So, you know, if you could go back and change anything about your transfer experience, what would it be? Nic: Bringing warmer clothes. Yeah, really. Yeah, maybe doing a touch bit more research on the climate out here. But besides that, really, I guess, doing more to realize that people want to make more connections, because obviously, traveling cross country, I didn't know a soul out here. Cara: Oh, yeah. Nic: Like I have some family in the West Coast, but they're up in California. There hours away. So there's nobody close here. And thankfully, the roommates I have were good in communication and building an understanding of what to expect when I came out here. But yeah, besides that, I felt like this university just from head to toe did a great job in communicating with me. And albeit the time zone was obviously a bit of an issue back home. You know, getting calls at eight at night, what are people still working for and then realizing, you know, it's a three hour difference. That was a bit different. But I guess just having the expectation and realizing how much people wanted to help me and reach out to me. Like I said, not that people aren't helpful back home, but it's definitely a different mentality mindset. Cara: Different vibe. Totally. Nic: Yeah. Cara: Yeah. The climate is a big one. I mean, because like, have you ever heard of like the I think it's the six C's of Arizona? No, it's it's cattle, cotton, citrus climate, cacti, and I don't remember the- Copper; copper is the last one. So like climates one that people don't give enough mind to because like it'll be 120 in Phoenix, 50 down here. Nic: Right. Cara: Which is insane. So like, I definitely think that's a big one. And then just, of course, we've already touched on it, but like, talking to people, getting your word out there. Absolutely. And then along the same lines, what are your feelings on it now, as opposed to when you first came in? Nic: Sure. Obviously, I think with any situations become more comfortable. The reality starts to set in and your, you know, emotions are alleviated, the negative emotions you may have, you know, because they want a class you walk in, and even if you've been here for a few years, you don't know what to expect. It's a new class, it's a new group of people. So I feel this has been, I guess I would say exceeded my expectations in terms of how enjoyable it's been. You know, not saying I came in the mindset of, you know, the lone wolf mentality, but, you know, I've, you know, understood what college was and the representation of it. But I guess also, too, just realizing how many programs and just clubs and different things I can get involved with. And even just the scene downtown and, you know, I've now involved myself in a weekly trivia night. And that's been great. So I'm meeting people there through the town that, of course, everybody here knows about the school. I've realized that too, the school is such a reach throughout town, you know. That's been great too. So yeah, I guess the biggest thing, just takeaway is not quite ready to say I would live here forever, but in terms of the people, like these are my type of people, very much relaxed. Cara: Good! Nic:Yeah, very nice people. So I've had some great experiences so far. Cara: That's wonderful. The downtown scene is really fun. There's so many different communities that I frequent downtown. Now I do have to know, have you won any of the trivia nights? Nic: I have. Cara: Nice! Nic: Now I will put this out there if anyone hears this. I am recruiting for my team. Yeah. Yeah. And I do have gift cards for free meals and drinks from winning. Cara: Dude, can't turn that down. Nic: Yeah, right. That's what I'm saying, you know, not a bribe, but I'm throwing it out there. But absolutely. It's been very fun and something I enjoy. And I said, and in gracious new to the community downtown. And it reminds me, it's very much, I say it's almost like Vermont meets LA. It's how I would describe it. So back home in Vermont, we have more of a school artsy scene. People say maybe earthy-crunchy, you know, the hiking very much outdoorsy. But then the mentality of the people I hear just kind of laid back reminds me very much of the California when I visited family. And just kind of an amalgamation that I enjoy. I don't know. Cara: That's an interesting combo. I do agree though. I've only spent brief amounts of time in Vermont, but like, I can totally see that. I absolutely see the vibe. Follow up question. Is English your best trivia category? Nic: Oh, I would like to say so, but there have been a few times I've let myself down, if I'm being honest. When I was younger, I was very much obsessed with sports and I just have one of those brains. I just retain trivial nonsense. You know, it's useless except for Wednesday nights, you know, so, you know, I'm great at jeopardy. I think I'm pretty well rounded and everything except for probably science questions and lyrics of songs. I just- Cara: Maybe I should join your team. That's my best category. Nic: Well, there we go. All right. Might have a new partnership. Cara: I was gonna say sports is my weakest. Dude, you and me, dream team. Yeah, I'm going Wednesday night. You'll see me there. All right. Last thing. Quick fire questions. Nic: Okay. Cara: Morning classes, afternoon classes, or evening classes? Nic: Oh, morning classes. Everyone complains, but just, great way to start your day if you have a good first class. I have a Spanish class, 9 a.m. in the morning. We get some music pumping. We walk around, we talk, you know, good. I have a little Espanol and it just gets my day started. And then all my classes done by 12:30, you know, and you just have the rest of the day to enjoy it. You got plenty of time for homework. You want to go hang out. You want to go back and take a cat nap and just lay in the sun. You got all day to do it. Cara: Oh man. That makes a compelling point. I forget what answer I gave on the last podcast. I swear it changes every day, but like all of them have like their own little benefit. And I do still like that opinion of the morning classes. Where like, get it done, get it done quick. You got the rest of the day. Absolutely. You've answered this already. Sun or snow? Nic: Oh, sun. A hundred percent. Yeah. Yeah. The only people that should choose snow is polar bears. Like, let's be honest. Cara: Well, rawr, you know. Nic: Yeah. Cara: Last one. Really topical one at the moment. Homecoming or family weekend? Nic: Oh, that's a tough one. I guess it depends your relationship status, but I would choose probably a family weekend, you know, being away from home. That'd be enjoyable. I think it was good too. My freshman year when my family came and visited me and I got to tour campus with them and show them. That was pretty enjoyable, especially being first gen in college. That was an experience for the whole family. Yeah. Cara: My father has a bachelor's degree, so I'm not quite first gen, but being able to show my mom around, she never got the college experience was lovely, and she was so excited to see the dorms because that was an experience she really wanted when she was my age, but she never got to do it. So when I gave her a tour, she was just absolutely delighted. So like that energy of being able to show something that they haven't experienced. It's just so fun. Nic: Right. Cara: Because normally your parents are the ones showing you stuff. So like when you get to flip it around, it's just so enjoyable. Absolutely. But have any, any closing thoughts for us, Nic? Nic: This has been a great experience. And I'd say if anybody is even considering NAU, definitely put it at the top of the list. Cara: Yeah, I'm telling you, it's lovely. The people, the weather... better than ASU. You didn't hear it from me. But anyway, I'm so glad you came. You get to take this flag home with you. We're going to take some pictures, but thank you so much for joining us today. Nic: Yes, thank you!