Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: Alice.Wonderland on February 07, 2011, 09:31:56 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Transitioning in College?
Post by: Alice.Wonderland on February 07, 2011, 09:31:56 PM
Post by: Alice.Wonderland on February 07, 2011, 09:31:56 PM
This next school year, I'm going to transfer to a new college in a different town. I am looking forward to transitioning. My significant other has suggested that I wait until I'm done with school. She feels that I would be more comfortable being a male and it would make my learning experiences easier. I beg to differ. If I don't transition then there will always be a reason not to.
College is an open environment filled with many different people from many different backgrounds and cultures. There are also many groups for a wide variety of people. There's anime clubs, chess clubs, even lbgtq clubs. The school I'm transfering to even has an lbgtq resource center.
I am worried some. I asked admissions counselors about transgender housing, bathrooms, names(I haven't legally changed my name and am not sure about this yet) etc. They told me that I will have to speak with the Director of Residence Life situate everything for my needs and preferences. They did however find out first name preference for me. The "preferred" name would show up on class rosters and grading reports on a professors level; things only say my real name if it's administrative documents. I have a feeling that I would be the first transgender person attending this college.
I'm just wondering if anyone has transitioned in college? If so, how where your experiences?
What are your thoughts on this?
College is an open environment filled with many different people from many different backgrounds and cultures. There are also many groups for a wide variety of people. There's anime clubs, chess clubs, even lbgtq clubs. The school I'm transfering to even has an lbgtq resource center.
I am worried some. I asked admissions counselors about transgender housing, bathrooms, names(I haven't legally changed my name and am not sure about this yet) etc. They told me that I will have to speak with the Director of Residence Life situate everything for my needs and preferences. They did however find out first name preference for me. The "preferred" name would show up on class rosters and grading reports on a professors level; things only say my real name if it's administrative documents. I have a feeling that I would be the first transgender person attending this college.
I'm just wondering if anyone has transitioned in college? If so, how where your experiences?
What are your thoughts on this?
Title: Re: Transitioning in College?
Post by: spacial on February 08, 2011, 09:10:30 AM
Post by: spacial on February 08, 2011, 09:10:30 AM
Hope someone can give you information. This sems one of those perculiar American things.
Title: Re: Transitioning in College?
Post by: Maddie Secutura on February 08, 2011, 01:16:19 PM
Post by: Maddie Secutura on February 08, 2011, 01:16:19 PM
Be sure you get all your ducks in a row when it comes to getting a job after college. That means you need to at least have your name legally changed before sending out resumes.
As for college life while transitioning it's not too bad. The teachers aren't going to care as long as you show up to class and do the work. Of course I went to a fairly liberal university and my courses were mainly impersonal (lecture, not discussion). That helped out a lot. I do recommend getting your name changed as soon as you can though. You'll be able to waltz right into a job after school.
Dorms might be an issue. Again I skirted the problem by having an apartment. Of all the times to transition (other than childhood) college is probably the best.
As for college life while transitioning it's not too bad. The teachers aren't going to care as long as you show up to class and do the work. Of course I went to a fairly liberal university and my courses were mainly impersonal (lecture, not discussion). That helped out a lot. I do recommend getting your name changed as soon as you can though. You'll be able to waltz right into a job after school.
Dorms might be an issue. Again I skirted the problem by having an apartment. Of all the times to transition (other than childhood) college is probably the best.
Title: Re: Transitioning in College?
Post by: blair on February 08, 2011, 02:20:30 PM
Post by: blair on February 08, 2011, 02:20:30 PM
I think college is a great time to transition. Like you said, there are always lots of resources around colleges. Not to mention if you legally change your name before graduating you'll have your degree under the right name. :)
Title: Re: Transitioning in College?
Post by: Pinkfluff on February 09, 2011, 09:59:43 PM
Post by: Pinkfluff on February 09, 2011, 09:59:43 PM
Yeah college seems to be a good time for, it's when I did it. Even at my very small college in a quite conservative area I didn't have any major problems. Most people seemed too caught up in their own work and life to worry about what's going on with someone they hardly know. I would imagine that at a larger university it'd be even better with a larger, more diverse student population.
Employment discrimination after graduation seems to be a problem though...
Employment discrimination after graduation seems to be a problem though...