Whether or not to transfer can be a tough choice for college athletes and it's a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly! Transferring for the right reasons is paramount and the process should involve conversations with your family, friends, teammates, coaches, and yourself. This article will discuss a few things that should be considered before transferring and whether it is the right thing to do.

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1. Evaluate Your Situation

Firstly, it's important to understand your current situation within your team and at your college. Are you just going through a rough patch which could be redirected with some communication, advice, and time? Or are you genuinely unhappy with your situation at your current college? Taking the time to have a conversation with yourself first, to really understand where your head's at, can be really useful in having clarity and a thought about what to do next.

Related: 3 Key Conversations Athletes Must Have Before Transferring

 2. Talk it Out

Second, communicating with your family, friends, teammates, coaches, professors, advisors, and mentors is vital to laying all your cards out on the table, expressing what you're unhappy with, and being open and honest about your feelings. This way, you're able to talk things out and even come up with solutions that might change your mind about transferring. On the other hand, talking openly might be able to confirm your thoughts about transferring and provide more clarity that it's the right choice for you.

Related: Knowing When to Transfer

3. Consider the Pros and Cons

Thirdly, weighing up the pros and cons of staying is a great strategy to help decide and to provide further clarity. Everything should be considered, including academics, the campus, what was sold to you as a recruit, the way you fit in with the team, relationships with coaches, scholarships, and your college experience as a whole. 

4. Consider Your Reasoning

Remember, you should always transfer for the right reasons. Transferring solely on playing time might not be the best option, particularly if you haven't worked hard for a starting spot on the team or are still in your first year of competing. The same situation might occur after transferring too, which would add more frustration and disappointment. On the other hand, if 2 or 3 years have passed by and you have faced lots of adversity, as well as working as hard as you possibly can, and you have still not been given a chance, considering changing schools might be the best option.

Related: 3 Pros and Cons of Transferring as a College Athlete

5. Make the Best Choice For You 

Finally, being happy is the most important thing. You only get to experience being a college athlete once. Therefore, being in an environment where you feel comfortable, positive, and yourself is pivotal. Making a final decision can be a headache. However, communicating with the people you trust the most, weighing up the pros and cons, and going with your gut will ensure that you've made the right choice.

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* Originally published on April 14, 2023, by Rhys Davies