Chelsey Graham transferred from Los Angeles Mission College and is currently studying Sociology! Rock star Chelsey shares many identities: parenting student, commuter, first-generation, and non-traditional student! She has some great advice for current first-year and prospective transfer students!
1. My best tip for transferring to UCLA is to join the Transfer Center's Facebook page ASAP. There is a wealth of information already there and if you have any questions and you will get a number of responses right away. I made a friend that way before I even started at UCLA. Everyone is super friendly. I also recommend going to as many events as you are able and don't be shy about talking to other people. I think everyone is looking to make connections, find study partners and develop new friendships! Also, get a comfortable backpack and always bring your water bottle. There is lots of places to refill your water bottle on campus and you will be walking a lot. Finally, even if it's hot bring a light sweater or jacket. Lecture halls can be pretty cold.
2. I spent 8 years working as a waitress in a diner. During that time I had 4 beautiful children. Although I loved the flexibility of my job and making tips, I realized that I was never going to be any better off than I was and due to the rising cost of living I was really struggling. I decided to quit my job, go back to school and enrolled in community college. My husband began working 3 jobs to support us. Not long after he became injured and unable to work. To make matters worse he is an undocumented immigrant, so no help from the government. I found full-time work in an office and took online courses and went to night school. After 2 years I earned a certificate in Paralegal studies and got a job at a law office. A year later I graduated with 3 AAs. When I was accepted to UCLA it was a huge surprise. Something I never could have dreamed of. In fact, I only applied because my best friend insisted that I belonged here. Everyday I walk around in amazement and am so grateful to be here! As a first generation student, I have been given this opportunity to not only change my life, but to pave the way for my children.
3. I have not been able to join any clubs due to being a commuter and having to pick my children up from school, but I love hanging out at the transfer center and am excited to be applying for the ADP minor and internship which will be great addition to my sociology degree.
Chelsey shares some personal information about her life: I struggle with my mental health and at times it has been extremely difficult to keep going especially with juggling school, work, kids and a marriage. My children are what keep me going and I know the sacrifices we are all making will pay off. Someday we will own our home and my kids won't have to share a room anymore. And better yet, they will won't have to go through all I went through and know that it's possible to succeed in whatever their passion may be. Four weeks before I began school at UCLA I donated my kidney to a friend after I saw a post on she made on Facebook. I hoped to have the surgery done early this summer, but it was a very long process. It worried me having the surgery so close to my first quarter at UCLA, but I knew if I didn't do it this summer my friend would have to wait another year. Luckily everything worked out great and I was feeling pretty good by the first day. It was the most rewarding experience of my life other than having children! I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and insight with the transfer community!
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