Transferring to a new school can be intimidating. Even though I was excited to start at the Mount, I knew that coming in as a junior meant I’d be jumping into an already established community. I worried about making friends and finding my place on campus, especially as a commuter. But one of the best decisions I made was joining the cheerleading team. It completely changed my experience and made the transition so much easier.
I cheered all throughout high school, so being part of a team was something I had really missed. When I transferred, I wasn’t sure if cheer was something I would have time for, but after looking into it more, I decided to try out. I’m so glad I did! From the very beginning, the team was so welcoming. It gave me an instant group of friends, a sense of belonging, and a reason to spend more time on campus outside of class. Plus, cheer has given me some incredible opportunities, like getting to cheer at March Madness in both Ohio and North Carolina this past month—an experience I’ll never forget!
Being on the team has helped me in so many ways. As a commuter, it would have been easy to just come to class and go straight home, but cheer has given me a reason to stay involved and be part of campus life. It’s also pushed me to balance my time better, which has been a huge help in adjusting to a new school. And beyond that, getting to cheer at games and represent the Mount has made me feel like I’ve truly found my place here.
If you’re transferring to the Mount, I highly recommend getting involved in something—whether it’s a sport, a club or another activity. Here are a few tips that helped me:
Joining the cheer team has been one of the best parts of my experience at the Mount, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings. If you’re a transfer student wondering how to get involved, I highly recommend finding something that excites you—it makes all the difference!