What I wish I knew: Advice for being Atlanta bound

You did it! You completed your first two years of college and are ready to begin the second half of your college career. While you celebrate this milestone, you understand that more work lies ahead to prepare you for your experience on the Atlanta campus.  

Fortunately, you are not alone—you have made some great friendships, and you all will be starting this transition together. These changes are not quick, and you may encounter unexpected hurdles along the way. That’s okay, though, when you think about it, no one wants a doctor from the easy school. Worthwhile, valuable experiences are meant to challenge us. You need to remember to lean on your support system to navigate your journey.  

Before stepping into a significant change, there are always things that you wish you had known—think of this as advice from alumni who’ve been in your position before and who are here to help make your transition to the Atlanta campus a little easier.  

Solutions To A Few Common Challenges 

If you’ve been browsing Reddit or talking with recent grads, you’ve probably seen some honest takes about the Oxford-to-Atlanta transition. Some funny, some frustrating, but all real. Here’s a breakdown of common challenges students have shared, both online and in person. 

You don’t know what you don’t know. So many students have successfully overcome hurdles in their transition from Oxford to Atlanta.  

• Larger class sizes. 
• Missing a few prerequisites. 
• New social circles. 
• Difference in physical size. 
• Newness to campus resources.
• Culture shift. 

Academic Preparation 

Adjust to Larger Class Sizes 
Coming from Oxford’s smaller, discussion-based classes, students are surprised by the larger lecture-style classes on the Atlanta campus. It can feel overwhelming at first, but don’t let that discourage you; be proactive by taking advantage of office hours and joining study groups. 

Limited Coursework at Oxford 
Some students feel underprepared because a few prerequisites for specific majors are unavailable at Oxford. If this applies to you, meet with an academic advisor early to create a plan. Students in business or pre-med tracks could face this particular challenge.  

Navigating Campus Life 

Starting Fresh Socially 
Even though you’re not new to Emory, it may feel like starting over socially. Oxford students often mention the difficulty of integrating into established social groups in Atlanta. Attend student org fairs, join group chats, and don't hesitate to reach out—you’re not alone in this. 

Some Oxford students mention feeling overlooked, but remember it’s your journey. Confidence and participation will help bridge the gap. 

Getting Around 
The Atlanta campus is significantly larger and more complex to navigate than the Oxford campus. Take the time to walk around campus before classes start and download shuttle maps and apps ahead of time. 

Energy Drain from Commute  
If you're traveling for internships, know that it’s exhausting; students have called the shuttle “draining.” Try to schedule your Atlanta activities in batches to minimize back-and-forth. 

Thankfully, there’s even more support to guide you through both the academic and social sides of your move to the Atlanta campus. One of the best resources is ATL Bound—it’s beneficial over the summer and during those crucial first few weeks. 

So what’s ATL Bound? ATL Bound provides comprehensive support, including in-person programming, online resources, and a welcome app, to meet you where you are.  

Hopefully, you took advantage of the Atlanta OSLR Fair and Emory FLIP programs offered in April. Now you can look forward to connecting with the ATL Bound Office, online resources, and welcome events in August just for you.  

Advice from Alumni 

If you’ve scrolled through Reddit, you’ve hopefully found alumni advice worth considering. Here’s a quick snapshot of what they had to say.   

Sandra Aguilera 15Ox 17C 24PH suggests using pre-health resources early and often—don't wait until you feel behind. 

Jessy DeFrancisco 17Ox 19C encourages exploring the Atlanta campus early and seeking out mentorship, both academic and social. 

Jack Peattie 25Ox advises planning coursework intentionally, especially for business students, to avoid delays. 

Students will tell you that the transition ultimately became a significant part of what shaped their Emory experience. Looking ahead, there are so many exciting opportunities and experiences. Embrace what comes your way, let your confidence shine, lean on your support system, and make the most of your next chapter on the Atlanta campus.