IN PROGRESS
Cara: All right, welcome back to another Transfer Talks podcast. My name is Cara Jean, and I'm a Transfer Jacks peer mentor. Joining me today is our lovely, lovely guest who would love to share their transfer experience with us. Go ahead and introduce yourself.

Samantha: Hi, my name is Samantha Larios. I'm a music student here at NAU, and I'm a sophomore.

Cara: Very nice. And where did you transfer in from?

Samantha: I transferred from ASU. I spent just one year there.

Cara: Very nice. So just to kind of start us off, we're going to do some lighthearted questions. What's your favorite transfer event you've been to?

Samantha: Probably the S'mores events, to be honest, just because everyone loves S'mores, and you can sit around a fire and get to know everybody who's also a transfer student.

Cara: Absolutely, nice and cozy. The weather we've been having was so nice for that bonfire. And the hot chocolate, which I've heard was a little bit of a disaster. Spilled everywhere. But like, you live, you know?

Samantha: Yeah.

Cara: What made you choose music as your field of study?

 Samantha: Honestly, I've just kind of always been doing music. I think there's like one picture that my mom always refers back to of me sitting on a piano, just like clinking at like three years old or something. And that was my calling.

Cara: That's sweet. Is that what you play then, piano?

Samantha: Yeah, I play piano, and I sing voice. Voice is like my major focus here.

Cara: That's lovely. So do you, you'll have to pardon me, I'm not super versed on music classes. Do you take voices like a class?

Samantha: Yes. 

Cara: That's so cool!

Samantha: So it's called MUP 111. It's kind of a private lesson class, and there are actually three parts to it. There's the master class with people in your class, there's the private lesson, which is just you and your teacher, and then there's this thing called BDR, which is all of the students, and we come to watch each person who signs up to perform.

Cara: Wow.

Samantha: That's really fun.

Cara: I was gonna say, I'm like, I feel like there's a lot of learning opportunities there. You really get to see the ranges of voices. Do you have anything in particular you enjoy singing the most? I feel like that's a loaded question.

Samantha: Oh, you know, I love the song that we're doing for opera right now. Well, at least for me, I'm doing a scene from Hansel and Gretel with one of my partners, and I play Hansel, and some of the parts of the duet are just, they sound really nice in my music major ear.

Cara: That sounds cool. That sounds lovely. And do you guys do performances over there in the building?

Samantha: Yes, we actually have a performance in November for opera. So look it up. I'll definitely be posting about it as well.

Cara: Oh, lovely. Absolutely. I love going to that building because even the building alone is so beautiful. It's a little bit of a maze on the upper floor.

Samantha: It is an entire maze. It's very confusing, but I feel like since most of my classes are there, I kind of have it nailed down.

Cara: That's good. I could never find the elevator. I tried.

Samantha: There's like three.

Cara: Oh, of course. And I couldn't find any of them. So I was just like, well, stairs for me.

Samantha: Yeah.

Cara: What is your favorite spot to spudy at- whoa. I said that backwards. What is your favorite spot to study at?

Samantha: Probably the library. I like going into the studio just because they have those like holes in the ground where you can like plug in your laptop and everything and the nice swivel chairs so I can move around if I'm feeling a little bit fidgety and everything.

Cara: Which floor do you prefer?

Samantha: First floor. That's where the studio is.

Cara: Oh, got you.

Samantha: It's in the back.

Cara: Okay. I think I know your type. That's nice. I am a big fan of those glass rooms with like the giant wall length whiteboards. They're just, they look so official, but there's like one meeting room on the second floor that's all by itself in the corner where the maps are.

Samantha: Really?

Cara: And it is almost soundproof in there. I've held D&D games in there sometimes, and you can be as loud as you want, and it's really nice.

Samantha: I might have to check that out.

Cara: It's great. It's, I think it's like one of only a couple on the second floor and a completely unique room with a unique key and everything.

Samantha: That definitely sounds interesting. I'm going to have to give it a try.

Cara: You should. Absolutely. Moving on to some harder, more serious ones here. What was your experience like at ASU, your previous school?

Samantha: Honestly, it was a little stressful. It was a lot of stressful. I couldn't get into the music program there because I was too nervous when I auditioned, and so I signed up as a chemistry major, and I think you can understand how difficult that can be.

Cara: Yeah, absolutely.

Samantha: I was very stressed. I wasn't having fun with anything that I was doing, and I felt like with all the homework I had, I couldn't make time for friends or anything. So I spent the one year there and I tried to audition here and I got in, and I loved everything throughout the audition process.

Cara: Oh good.

Samantha: So I jsut knew that this school was the one for me. 

Cara: Just a different kind of approach to it. That's good to hear. I'm really glad that you feel a lot more comfortable here and you found that confidence in those auditions. Other than that audition, what else would you say was different, and like, what was your experience transferring over?

Samantha: I like walking to class now. It's not 110 degrees outside every day, so I'm not sweating my butt off. I feel like even though I have more classes and I'm technically more busy than I was at ASU, I have the time to make friends. I'm in the Performing Arts building a lot, so I meet a lot of the same people throughout the day, and it gives you the 20-minute breaks you have between class. I take those to try and get to know people, work on assignments, take a bathroom break, whatever I need.

Cara: Yes. And it's such a good use of your time too. Just seeing who's around, seeing who's in that same program or even similar programs. It's very nice having a campus that's compact enough to walk around and not feel like you're melting. I moved here from Goodyear so like,  same 110 degree weather. Awful.

Samantha: I'm from Phoenix. I understand. I get it.

Cara: Terrible. And then the concrete of ASU, it feels like you're baking. It feels like you're in an oven constantly. So it is genuinely very nice to be able to talk without feeling like you're on fire all the time.

Samantha: Yeah, it's very nice.

Cara: What are your feelings on being a transfer student? How did you feel when you first got here versus now?

Samantha: I was very stressed because I felt like I was joining late. Like how if your parents were to tell you in middle school, oh, we're moving states, you're moving schools. You know, you have to start new and you're giving up all the friends that you had made at the year behind. But I think I felt, especially because of my audition day, I felt much more confident walking in because the teachers felt very welcoming. And I just felt like I could be able to reach out for help and get help back.

Cara: 100%. That's good. So being able to find that time, like I said earlier, it's just so nice having that free time and having that transitional period because I know it can be tough because like I transferred in from a community college and it's just a totally different energy. Just going from a packed schedule to somewhere where you have breaks, somewhere where the stress levels are different. It just feels different overall.

Samantha: Yeah.

Cara: Leaving people behind because I'm like, I have friends back in Goodyear.
I have friends back in like New Mexico and Ohio. So like just finding the ways to make new connections. Always admirable.

Samantha: Yeah.

Cara: What type of programs, departments, people have helped you through that transition here?

Samantha: Probably both of my advisors, my transfer advisor and my academic advisor, just because when I was at ASU, I don't mean to drag the school, but I didn't get very much help from my advisors and they kept switching me. I think I went through five advisors in one year. And here I've had the same advisor. She's in my major or she was in my major program. So she knows about like what I'm doing and what to do to help. 

Cara: Personally, totally!

Samantha: And with my transfer advisor, I know we had those mandatory meetings, but I definitely came to more of those because I could feel the stress of finals and midterms. So I was coming to her like maybe crying a little bit. I don't know what to do. I'm just so stressed. And she's like, just come sit in here and do homework. And I was like, that's a good idea. You guys play Disney movies a lot.

Cara: Yes, yes we do. We like having a nice little rotation of entertainment.

Samantha: Yes, I love listening to those in the background.

Cara: I'm really happy to hear that. It's a lot more personal here. And don't even worry about dragging ASU. People who have listened to my episodes already know that I'm not, they're not favorable in my eyes, but it's good to have someone who's actually, who cares more about what you're doing and understands what you're going through. Especially when they've done the classes you have when they were your age. It's so much nicer because like my advisor, who's currently Taylor Rose, same thing. She knows exactly what I want to do. She's so helpful with picking classes and just understanding what I need to succeed. So very much we are advisors tend to be very personable, and I'm glad that's been your experience with them.

Samantha: Me too.

Cara: If you could go back and change something about that transfer experience, what would you change?

Samantha: Honestly, I think I would probably not busy myself with my schedule as much, but more get myself involved with like clubs and other things. I know I was talking to my academic advisor and I asked her about her job a little bit and it kind of made me curious into like going into her line of work maybe after college as like a first-time job. Just because I also did some community college so I've been having to work with creating a schedule and working with other teachers and classes and stuff for a couple years now. So I think I have the experience to be able to bring that out and help others with that.

Cara: Totally. Managing a schedule can be tough. Like I've got so many calendars to manage between like work, school, personal. So that's definitely a skill that you can really, really hone with time.

Samantha: It's definitely extra as a music major because I have like concerts on weekends and stuff like that.

Cara: Even more. And then trying to fit clubs in there and stuff, it can be hard. But like you had said earlier, just finding those like little breaks and just interacting with 
people then, I mean, that's being social too. 

Samantha: Exactly.

Cara: Like you got to allow yourself that time. That's lovely. I think being an advisor and being someone who teaches people those skills is also very admirable. So I wish you the best of luck if you do go into that work. 

Samantha: Thank you.

Cara: Absolutely. Some this or that. Some nice quick fire dealios. The Dub or the Hotspot?

Samantha: Hotspot.

Cara: Why?

Samantha: Because the Performing Arts building is right next door.

Cara: That, yeah. That makes sense.

Samantha: Two minute walk. Two minute walk I could go get a snack and come back and be ready for class.

Cara: Yeah. See? That makes sense. Nice practical answer there. We've had some hot takes on both.

Samatha: Really?

Cara: Yeah. Dude, I, we've had people that are so against the Hotspot and they're just like, why would you ever go? The Dub is so much better. And I'm like, I think that's your opinion. 

Samantha: I mean, if you're comparing quality, but I'm comparing convenience, would I rather go all the way to South Campus or just right here?

Cara: You're the practical type.

Samantha: Yeah.

Cara: I admire it. North or South Campus?

Samantha: North Campus. All my classes are on North Campus.

Cara: That also makes sense. I also prefer North Campus. There's something about it. I just, I like the building layout a bit more. South Campus seems a bit more spread out to me.

Samantha: Yeah.

Cara: It's a little harder to navigate.

Samantha: It's harder to get back up that hill.

Cara: Yes! I never walk that hill.

Samantha: I live right next to that hill. I have to walk it sometimes.

Cara: Oh, that's a little rough. I, you, if I can take the bus, I will every time. I hate that hill. I'm not even going to lie to you.

Samantha: I take the bus as much as I can, but sometimes it's just not there. So I have to walk.

Cara: But if anyone knows me, they know I am a public transport girly. I take the bus everywhere. So I love you, Mountain Line! Okay. Union or HLC as a place to study?

Samantha: I think I want to say the HLC. They've got some better views in my opinion.

Cara:Yes, I have to agree. I only found out recently about the study rooms they have there. But apparently a lot of the nursing majors or majors of like that sort will go there to study 
and have just been like hoarding the rooms. And like I said in an earlier podcast episode too, but I'm like, we're coming. We're coming for those rooms because they're nice and they do have beautiful views.

Samantha: They're for everybody.

Cara: Yes. See? The view of the mountains while you're doing homework. There's something inspiring about it.

Samantha: Yeah. Calming too.

Cara: Yes!

Samantha: Like a nice aesthetic for your background.

Cara: Totally. Couldn't agree more. Fall or winter?

Samantha: Probably fall. I like seeing the leaves change. And you know, I live in Phoenix, so not very much a winter person because last year was my first year living in the snow.

cara: Oh, how did you like the insane winter we had?

Samantha: It was nice, you know, I fell a lot.

Cara: So did I.

Samantha: New experience.

Cara: Phoenix does not experience seasons like at all. So seeing the trees change, crazy to look at. I joke with people that Phoenix has two seasons, that being summer and construction, because they only do construction in like a few months. It's actually cool enough to be outside And that's why everything takes so long, because everyone's melting constantly. But walking through all the aspens changing color is like walking through a painting. Like watching them turn from like that gorgeous gold to like that fiery red. Stunning, truly stunning.

Samantha: I never knew that your eyes could be blinded by snow. I didn't know that it could be brighter than it would be on a normal day in Arizona.

Cara: Yeah. Have you ever had a snow burn?

Samantha: No.

Cara: Oh my God. You think a snow burn is a sunburn specifically from the sun, like it's reflected off the snow. So like, you know how typically sunburns, you get them on the top side because the sun's coming down on you. It's the opposite for snow burns. You're getting them on like the under, like on the underneath of your chin, on like the like 
softer part of your arms. It's the worst.

Samantha: That's scary.

Cara: It sucks. Wear sunscreen all the time.

Samantha: Yeah, I'm prepared. I have a big bottle of sunscreen.

Cara: There you go.

Samantha: I'll just keep wearing it. 

Cara: I'm like sunscreen don't stop in the summer. You've got to put it on in the winter time. It's, it's killer. I mean, that's, that's why I've got as many freckles as I do. I've gotten more sunburns than anybody I know. Last this or that, homecoming or family weekend?

Samantha: Probably homecoming just because I get to do all the fun activities like the festival and stuff. I didn't get to go to homecoming last year because I had my opera performance.

Cara: Oh.

Samantha: So they were right outside at the union, I could see them out the windows.

Cara: Longingly.

Samantha: Yeah. But this year I'm definitely going to make sure I have the time to go.

Cara: Nice.

Samantha: You know, I get to see my mom pretty much every other weekend anyways. Yeah, I see her anyways.

Cara: Every weekend's family weekend.

Samantha: Yeah, every weekend's family weekend.

Cara: What's, what's a homecoming event you're especially excited for?

Samantha: The Ferris wheel.

Cara: I was just about to say better be the carnival.

Samantha: The carnival, the Ferris wheel.

Cara: Oh yeah.

Samantha: I wanna go on Ferris wheel so I could get to see like the 
campus from a higher height because you get to see it from the HLC and everything.

Cara: Yes.

Samantha: I love the like, I love the like bird's eye view of everything. It's really nice.

Cara: It's fun.

Samantha: Going up to Lowell and taking pictures.

Cara: Yes.

Samantha: Gorgeous, gorgeous.

Cara: Absolutely. We featured Lowell Observatory on Flagstaff Fridays for our Instagram. And I just love it there. They have a solar eclipse viewing coming up on the 14th. It's wonderful. They have solar eclipse glasses being handed out at I think Home Depot of all places.

Samantha: Oh, interesting.

Cara: Interesting partnership that I vibe with it. So that's exciting. I'm looking forward to it because we have a really, really good viewing spot with a path of visibility. 

Samantha: Catch me at Lowell then on the 14th.

Cara: I know, right?

Samantha: Right.

Cara: They're apparently going to have a whole festival. I'm pretty sure they're going to have like a little dance party. They might have food trucks too. I think it's going to be like a whole event.

Samantha: All right, I'll have to invite my friends to get everybody going.

Cara: You should. Absolutely. But, any closing thoughts for us?

Samantha: Um, I love you guys, you know I love your guys' little space that I can come hang out in and I love the Disney movies that you play, keep it up. 

 Cara: Thank you, anyones welcome all the time; drop in, scan in, listen to music, watch a movie. We're all going to be here for ya. But thank you so much for joining us today.

Samantha: Thank you.

Cara: This flag is yours to take home.

Samantha: Really? Oh, my gosh.

Cara: Absolutely. So again, thank you so much.

Samantha: Thank you!