Leilei: Welcome back to the Transfer Talks Podcast. My name is Leilei and I am a Transfer Jacks Peer Mentor. We have with us today a very special guest who is really interested in sharing their transfer student experience with us.

Lydia: Hi, I'm Lydia Brown. I'm a junior here at NAU and I transferred here in Fall of 2022 from Central Arizona College. I earned my Associate's degree there in Elementary Education and I'm currently going for my Bachelor's in Elementary Education. 

Leilei: Very nice, love to hear that. So how about we start with just some like pre-fun this or that questions just to kind of get it going? Okay, so NAU Gold or NAU Blue? 

Lydia: I'd have to say blue because even though at my high school we were also blue and gold, I really like blue.

Leilei: Blue?

Lydia: Yeah.

Leilei: You know, me personally, gold. I'm not trying to argue with you, but yeah, love that, love that. Okay, so how about morning classes or afternoon slash evening classes?

Lydia: So with my schedule, I have afternoon, evening classes and I really like them because I get to sleep in and if I can't get to a homework assignment later that day, I can just get it done in the morning and I really enjoy those. 

Leilei: Yeah, no, honestly same, like I've always had them in the mornings because I try so hard to be a morning person. I can't because I'm like a full-on night owl because I'm like so like invested in doing homework at night that I just kind of like do not help myself to wake up in the morning. So I'm actually for the first time having just afternoon classes. It is so nice, it is so nice. My very first semester and it is so nice. How about Fall or Winter?

Lydia: So I come from Casa Grande, Arizona, so that's kind of between Phoenix and Tucson for those who don't know and it's a desert town, so I'm not used to the snow even though I was born in Michigan and I moved here when I was one. So I'd have to say Fall because I really love those colors of the leaves and I'm still getting used to the snow. It's very interesting getting in touch with it I guess you could say, but I'm not a fan of driving so far with it. 

Leilei: I bet you've gotten a lot of experience 

Lydia: Yeah.

Leilei: With that, 

Lydia: Yeah, a little bit.

Leilei: considering all these wonderful snow conditions

Lydia: Oh, yeah.

Leilei: that are happening. 

Leilei: Yeah, totally. I'm a desert rat myself. I'm from Yuma, Arizona, so similar weather like Phoenix. Not too sure if it's the same as yours too, but like pretty much hot all year round. Snow, we don't even know what that is, 

Lydia: Right, yep.

Leilei: And it's like it's kind of like been there done that now. And I'm like okay I saw it, time to go back inside. You can stop now, bring the sunshine out.

Lydia: Yep.

Leilei: Right? But we're really close to spring. Hopefully, right?

Lydia: Almost there.

Leilei: I'm hoping this is like the last couple weeks because we're already halfway there and it's still snowing. Isn't that crazy? 

Lydia: That is so crazy. 

Leilei: Yeah, we're almost there. Okay, so now let's kind of move on to like some just light-hearted questions. So what is your favorite memory being at NAU so far? 

Lydia: So I guess I'd have to say it's kind of a bunch of memories, but I was part of the Lumberjack Marching Band. 

Leilei: Oh my god.

Lydia:  And the marching band season was really memorable for me because I did marching band in high school and it was one of the best experiences I had ever done. So I wanted to do that again once I got to university since I didn't get the chance to do that at community college. And I just loved being back on the field and in the stands performing for people, doing music, meeting new people. It was a really good experience.

Leilei:  I love that for you. I also was in marching band in high school. 

Lydia: Oh nice!

Leilei:  Yeah, I kind of thought about it, but I'm like I wasn't sure if I was committed enough to do it. But what instrument did you play?

Lydia: I play clarinet.

Leilei:  Nice, I played flute. I miss it so much. Literally all my best friends are from marching band. 

Lydia: Oh man. 

Leilei: Yeah, I met great people through that. So was it like a pretty like enjoyable experience for you?

Lydia: Oh yeah, for sure. Luckily we move in the week before the semester starts and we have band camp. And so I was able to meet people I probably wouldn't see on campus because of their majors or their years. And it was just amazing just being back there and getting to meet all those new people. 

Leilei: Would you say being kind of part of like a group on campus, kind of being involved, did it help you kind of get to know campus a little bit better? 

Lydia: For sure, yeah. Especially the Skydome area, like getting to know the bus routes and getting over there because walking is not the best. So got to take advantage of those buses.

Leilei: Yeah and are you primarily North or South campus? Like where your classes are located? 

Lydia: North.

Leilei: North, so yeah you got to know south just a bit right? 

Lydia: Yeah. 

Leilei: Why not? 

Lydia: Yeah. 

Leilei: Okay do you prefer North or South campus? 

Lydia: I don't, other than marching band, I don't really go to South campus and maybe to eat at the Dub, but I really like the feel of North campus. I don't know why it just, it seems like it's you know old and comforting and I like just hanging out in Old Main especially when there's snow there. That's a great place to go play in the snow. 

Leilei: Sometimes comforting is like the best way to describe it right? 

Lydia: Mhm.

Leilei: Very nice. Okay, so what do you like about campus and the NAU environment? Kind of just building from that last question. 

Lydia: Yeah, so I really like the vibe of Northern Arizona. I like, I'm not super outdoorsy but like just the forests and everything. I just love it so much. It just kind of gives me a sense of comfort, kind of like Old Main,

Leilei: Yeah!

Lydia: As you could say. And so I really think the campus does a really good job at that and kind of like, it's a really pretty campus. I love walking around just to look at everything, but I also like the small class sizes. I think the biggest class I've ever had is like 35 people. So I really like having that kind of small individualized help in a way. So yeah. 

Leilei: Yeah I know. That's like part of the reason why I came down here too. Good vibes, good vibes. And I mean it was a nice change of scenery definitely from where I came from. I don't know if that's the same for you but like weather change and everything.

Lydia: Yes.

Leilei: It was nice to like kind of just like switch it up but nothing too dramatic. Like I'm not too big of a city gal. How about you?

Lydia: Yeah, no. The town that I came from, it's like a snowbird town. So a bunch of snowbirds come in.

Leilei: Tell me about it. 

Lydia: And that's like most of the population and it's like okay. 

Leilei: Yep. 

Lydia: So like probably around 50,000 or so. So I know Flagstaff isn't that much bigger, which kind of makes me also feel nice. That's another reason why I chose it is because University of Arizona and ASU like they're huge.

Leilei: Yes, yes. But yeah I like how you're saying how like it just has this comfortable kind of like feeling that it brings to people. And I'm glad that it's more common than not. Because at first I was like is that just like a personal experience? But as I like get to know you and other like students, other transfer students, we all kind of have like the same thing for it. It's pretty interesting. Okay, so are you ready for these more serious in-depth questions? 

Lydia: Yeah let's go for it. 

Leilei: Let's go. Okay, so what was your experience like at your previous school? And what was it like transferring here? And how are they different? 

Lydia: So I graduated high school in 2020, which is when COVID took over. And so going straight into community college at Central Arizona College, we were completely online for two years. And so I was stuck at home for two years on my laptop at my desk in my room. And that was really hard because I'm not a super social person. But getting those social interactions with people I feel really helps me to put myself out there more and learn better. 

Leilei: Yeah. 

Lydia: So I was stuck at home and I had a part-time job two days a week. And it was just really hard for me. My professors were amazing. I loved my classes. But online was just really hard. And I think it took a toll on my mental health. So once I came up here, I felt very nervous because you know I'd never been in person at a college, much less a university. 

Leilei: It's been a while. 

Lydia: Yeah! 

Leilei: Yeah.

Lydia: So I was wondering what it was going to be like. But being in person has really helped me. And getting to meet new people, it's just been a really great experience. And I'm really thankful that I'm able to be on campus here because it's a new environment and with new people because I was stuck at home and I just had my family and my co-workers. And most of my co-workers were adults because I was at a law firm. So yeah, it was definitely different.

Leilei: I mean, as humans, we're social creatures. You know, even as introverts, like say we recharge better like on our own, it comes to a certain point where it's like, okay, like I would kind of like some social interaction here and there, especially during the pandemic, because it was hard. And like you said, like it kind of took a mental toll on you. 

Lydia: Yeah.

Leilei: And that goes for a lot of other people too, you know. And so I'm glad that, you know, for one, years past and we're able to manage COVID and come back in person and that you're able to like connect well with people to help you out. Yeah. Would you say that you're in a much better place in comparison to like the pandemic?

Lydia: For sure. Yeah. Fall was really hard because I felt extremely lonely. And I know it's hard because, you know, you're a transfer student coming in and you have these expectations like, oh, maybe some people already have their friend groups. What's the point of, you know, me barging in on that? And those are a lot of thoughts that I had. So I kind of limited myself and I really didn't like that mindset. But now Spring semester, I've made friends in my classes in Fall and I still hang out with them, which is great. And I've made transfer friends and I love all my classes and I'm just in a really better spot now. And I'm really happy about that. 

Leilei: So what did you do to kind of like get yourself more involved and engaged with others? Because I know it was very like, it was hard in the beginning because like you said, it seems like everyone has already built together their friend groups and everything and you didn't want to like interrupt and all that. So like, how did you kind of like get yourself comfortable on campus? Connected with others?

Lydia: I guess just push yourself and explore by yourself because you don't always need someone to do something. I think that's something that I needed to hear a while back because I rely on others a lot. But if, even if you just go by yourself and you do something by yourself and maybe you get to connect with someone else, that's going to be a really good thing.

Leilei: It takes time. And you know, like what I really like about that college experience is like actually kind of that independence kind of thing. You know? I mean, like for me, I was living with my parents during my time at community college and now finally being here away and trying new things on my own it's kind of like, it's liberating, it's different. 

Lydia: Yeah.

Leilei: But it gives me a chance kind of to make myself.

Lydia: Yep. I feel the same way.

Leilei: So kind of like building off of that, were there any like programs, departments, or anything that helped you here on campus to like transition better?

Lydia: Well, other than the Transfer Jacks Program, because they helped me a lot, especially with my mentor and allowing me to escape to the Transfer Lounge when I needed to do things. Definitely, the marching band program, getting to meet those people and hear about their experiences was really nice because I got to connect with people before the school semester had even started. And I really liked having those connections because it's like, oh, I have some support before I start my classes, even though I may not see these people. But another support I had was my Academic Advisor at the College of Education. I reached out to her the Spring of my last semester at community college, like, okay, what are my classes? What do I got to do? And she was super supportive and very responsive to every question I had. So I felt really secure coming into my first semester here.

Leilei: Yeah, and I love how you're like really utilizing the resources around you. Like Academic Advisor, and that includes support as well. But part of like kind of that being an adult and being independent is also being willing to ask for help at the same time. Because you can only do so much. And especially when it's a very new environment, I mean, you can always, like you said, try things on your own, but it comes to a point where it's like, did I get anywhere kind of thing? And I like how you asked for help from your Academic Advisor and everything. And I know at one point you probably, you definitely like kept trying to understand it, but I like how you really seeked out that help. That's a really big thing about kind of just what we offer as services that we really want to only give it to you if you're really looking for it. And a lot have actually just reached out and they're at like a certain state of mind, but we're just really happy to like be there for them and that they're willing to ask for help kind of thing.

Lydia: Sweet.

Leilei: So pretty much with like everything that we've said so far, what is a piece of advice that you'd like to give to incoming transfer students?

Lydia: You're not alone. I heard that a lot and I didn't really believe it at first and even going to the transfer events, I'm like, oh, there's all these other transfer students, but like at the same time, I still kind of feel alone, but you're not. And you may be having the feelings like I did with, oh, like I don't wanna barge in on them and stuff, but like it's fine, do it, because they could use more friends too regardless of how many they already have. I mean, the friends I've made in my classes, they're super supportive and I know they have their friend groups, but they still accepted me and that makes me feel amazing because most of my classes are all the same people. So I get to see these people almost every day of the week and it's just really great to have that support system. So you're not alone and push yourself because you can go to those events and you could just stand in a corner by yourself. I know I've done it because it's really hard to socialize, but if you push yourself and you go to the events, then it'll be worth it.

Leilei: And what's something that you've learned being a transfer student, something that you've gained?

Lydia: I guess I'd have to say that being a transfer student isn't that big of a deal in a way because I've told people like they'll ask, oh, what year are you? And I'll be like, oh, I'm a junior, but I'm a transfer student, so this is my first year at NAU. And they're like, oh, okay, you know, and it's like, don't make too big of a deal of it because you're a student just like them and they'll accept you.

Leilei: It kind of does come from like being proud to be a transfer student. There's a, there's stigma against us because we're more of the non-traditional kind of students, you know, but we all come from different places and we all have our own reasons that are best beneficial for us. You know, so that's part of the thing with this program is that we're trying to best advocate for you guys. And a lot of times, because you guys are first-year kind of students on campus, you tend to get compared to freshmen students, but those are two different experiences. And that really needs to be brought to light, and that's what we're really trying to do as a program. And I really like how we have things like this, like a podcast to kind of just tell people your stories and to make them more aware, because sometimes it just comes to this point where it needs to be said. Okay, so sweet. Is there anything that you'd like to add before we finish up?

Lydia: No, I think I've said everything.

Leilei: Okay, sweet. So thank you, Lydia, for joining us today and sharing your experience. I loved hearing all of it. It's crazy to hear other people's experiences and to be like, same. You know? Like you said, you're not alone, really. And what I like about this transfer program is that you get to connect with other transfer students. So maybe that makes it even easier too, to just have someone that you can relate with. But again, thank you for being with us. I hope you have a great rest of your day.

Lydia: Thanks, thank you for having me.