Transferring schools should be enjoyable for a college student. After all, it’s like having a new beginning. Your new college won’t have that professor who has a 1.8 rating on ratemyprofessor.com, but seems to be the only professor in your major’s department. But for so many students the transfer process is a pain. If you follow these 5 easy steps that won’t be an issue.

1. Make sure you know why you’re transferring.

This may sound as obvious as saying “Put on clothes before you go outside” but this is a step I’ve seen fellow students not take seriously. Are you transferring because the commute is easier? Maybe this new school has a better program for your major. Are you transferring so you live the dorming experience? Are you transferring because you want a school with a smaller campus or vice versa? Of course there could be multiple reasons. But make sure you’ve thought your decision through. You wouldn’t want to go through the whole application process, possibly move into a new dorm room, just to find out you liked your old college better.

2. Visit a few colleges before making your decision.

Now this next step may not be as easy to do for everyone. If you live in Arizona and want to transfer to UCLA, you may not want to spend money on plane tickets to visit a school you might not even attend. But as a person who’s transferred schools before I highly recommend visiting as many schools on your list as you can. Walking around a college campus is an experience pictures of that same campus can’t replicate. If visiting isn’t an option, contact a person who goes there or went there and ask a few questions you have about the school.

3. Make sure you know how this will affect you financially.

Finances is something no one likes to think about, but it’s very important. You might be transferring to a college because it might be easier for you financially, but you also might be transferring to a more expensive college. Either way, make sure you know beforehand how you plan on paying for the tuition and other expenses that come along with being a college student. Are you going to need a car? Will you be paying through mostly financial aid or are you going to use student loans? Or are you planning to pay for school with that million dollar scholarship you won? Plan it out now before you apply.

4. Find out if and how many of your credits will transfer.

This next step is pretty self-explanatory. Make sure you know just how many of your credits, if any, will be transferring with you. Go on the college website or speak to an advisor at the school to answer your questions. You might end up having to speak to multiple people.

5. Don’t procrastinate on the transfer application.

Do not leave this process for the last minute. Transferring colleges doesn’t begin when you just pay the application fee and submit the application. The process includes these last 4 steps I’ve laid out for you along with anything else the college requires you to do. So many students lose track of time and miss the transfer application deadline which is usually earlier than the regular undergraduate application deadline.

If you follow these 5 steps you’ll undoubtedly end up happy at your next college.