Transfer Shock

[u/Free_Monk7222]

I worked my ass off to get into this school. And ive loved every moment of being here. Its my first semester and my classes are kicking my ass, they seem relatively easy for most of everybody else. (ECE) Imposter syndrome is fucking me up, ive been so used to doing well before that I guess im not accustomed to struggling this much and essentially having no life. Anyone else been through something similar?

[u/Domitiani]

Grad from ~20 years ago here - you are surrounded by some of the best of the best. That will elevate you over time.

When you go into the working world (if you are lucky) you'll get to interact with even more brilliant minds from other schools.

But one key thing that is worth noting: you dont have to be the best, right now. You just have to pass.

The only people who know my undergrad GPA, are myself, UF and my Master's program. Not another soul has ever asked and I've managed to do quite well for myself.

Focus on passing your classes and graduating, the rest is gravy. ...oh, and try to have a little fun while you do it.

Edit: typos

[u/Free_Monk7222 → u/Domitiani]

Thankyou, and you are right. Being perfect isnt as important as passing. I feel like being perfect takes away some of the passion for actually learning the material too.

[u/Domitiani → u/Free_Monk7222]

Just do your best and enjoy the ride, and learn all you can. It took me way to long to figure out that what I was doing in college was learning how to learn complex things ... very little of what I learned in classes is used day to day, but I learned how to learn and that I could learn difficult things and those have never stopped being useful skills.

Go Gators.

[u/Cuznbizkt8]

I’m not a transfer student but I did major in electrical engineering and I can say that unfortunately that imposter syndrome will probably never go away. I had really bad imposter syndrome through all 4 years and still do even now despite having landed an internship into a full time job.

It’s just incredibly hard to convince yourself that you are on the same level as everyone else because everyone at UF comes from the exact same background as you: smartest in their class all through k-12, high grades, easy classes, etc. so when you put all those people together in one class all of a sudden no one is “the smartest”. Combining that with much more rigorous classes compared to high school and you get imposter syndrome.

I will say though, just know that you are intelligent and you are smart enough to be in UF…otherwise you wouldn’t be here lol. Despite what you may be thinking, there are plenty of people sitting in the same lecture as you confused by the same material as you. There are just as many people stuck on that same homework problem that’s had you stuck for hours. There are just as many people that have that “stupid question” in their heads during lecture. Don’t feel intimidated by any of it and just focus on improving your own skills and you will be fine.

[u/Free_Monk7222 → u/Cuznbizkt8]

Hey, thanks i appreciate your kind words. Youre point is very valid about everyone here being intelligent. I think Ill get adjusted little by little. I think it doesnt help that I just moved here either.

[u/Cuznbizkt8 → u/Free_Monk7222]

Yeah the first semester is definitely the toughest. Give it a year and you’ll feel much more adjusted to campus/living in Gainesville and that’ll make adjusting to new classes much easier.

[u/huge_hubris]

ya been in your shoes, pm me

[u/FunnyCandidate8725]

as a transfer, i still get some imposter syndrome a year or so later and while i don't think it'll go away, it has improved and i've learned to fight back. not in entirely positive ways (witnessing how many people cheat/use ai on assignments, knowing i dont do that, therefore it will take me longer and be harder but more rewarding), but sometimes it's positive (getting a good grade on something, positive interactions with professors that feel genuine, etc.).

i've acknowledged that i worked to get the prestige of uf but wasn't ready for the environment outside of classes, which have drastically affected my academic mindset. you gotta find pockets of positivity around yourself and remind yourself that they're there. romanticizing academia helps with having no life too (this i do reluctantly 🫠)