Spring Break
Column: Transfer Jitters
Ashlei Maltman/ Columnist
Issue date: 5/15/08 Section: Opinions
Transferring to a university from a community college can be overwhelming. Doing so in the summer is even worse because there are not as many people like me here.
Before I started asking around campus, I had no group to help me.
First, I felt excited about being in a new place and getting away from home. However, I soon realized that I didn't know any of the students on campus and I was homesick for my old, boring life.
I have been here for five days and I already want to go home. Things are completely different than what I thought they would be like. I thought I would meet more people, and that the few who are here would be more welcoming.
Rita Pearson, a senior assistant director/transfer coordinator of Transfer Relations, said Eastern has a "very low percentage of new students over the summer." There are more graduate students and students who have been here rather than transfer students.
"What is unique to a transfer student is the somewhat more difficult situation of developing social support systems," said Sandra Cox, director of the Counseling Center. "Transfer students seem to adjust best when they become actively involved on campus in student organizations and in their academic setting."
A lot of events in the fall and spring semesters help with that adjustment, but it's difficult in the summer since virtually no one is around for me to interact with. Not many of the active organizations on campus are visible or welcoming.
Summer is focused more on academics than recreational activity, Pearson said. This makes adjusting to Eastern even more difficult because many of the students have higher-level classes and jobs. I am concerned that even if I made friends, they would be too busy for me.
Transfer Relations will be hosting a welcome/social event Thursday at 5 p.m. to help those of us whom are new. The location has yet to be determined.
"We are planning to have a fun, game night where new students can come and meet each other and/or just have something to do," Pearson said. She will be sending out an e-mail to Eastern's new transfer students with the details.
Pearson can make or break this event because it is well-needed. Only a few students attended when in previous years, even just a few students still need it. It should not be ignored just because there are few in need.
My new colleagues on campus keep saying my transition will get better with time once I get used to everything. I can only hope they're right because I feel like a tourist who doesn't belong here and that scares me. Now that I have what I want, I puzzled me as to why I can't stop thinking about going home.
I'm confident that this revived transfer assistance program will help me, but only if they can gather enough fellow students for me to relate to.
Ashlei Maltman is a junior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
Before I started asking around campus, I had no group to help me.
First, I felt excited about being in a new place and getting away from home. However, I soon realized that I didn't know any of the students on campus and I was homesick for my old, boring life.
I have been here for five days and I already want to go home. Things are completely different than what I thought they would be like. I thought I would meet more people, and that the few who are here would be more welcoming.
Rita Pearson, a senior assistant director/transfer coordinator of Transfer Relations, said Eastern has a "very low percentage of new students over the summer." There are more graduate students and students who have been here rather than transfer students.
"What is unique to a transfer student is the somewhat more difficult situation of developing social support systems," said Sandra Cox, director of the Counseling Center. "Transfer students seem to adjust best when they become actively involved on campus in student organizations and in their academic setting."
A lot of events in the fall and spring semesters help with that adjustment, but it's difficult in the summer since virtually no one is around for me to interact with. Not many of the active organizations on campus are visible or welcoming.
Summer is focused more on academics than recreational activity, Pearson said. This makes adjusting to Eastern even more difficult because many of the students have higher-level classes and jobs. I am concerned that even if I made friends, they would be too busy for me.
Transfer Relations will be hosting a welcome/social event Thursday at 5 p.m. to help those of us whom are new. The location has yet to be determined.
"We are planning to have a fun, game night where new students can come and meet each other and/or just have something to do," Pearson said. She will be sending out an e-mail to Eastern's new transfer students with the details.
Pearson can make or break this event because it is well-needed. Only a few students attended when in previous years, even just a few students still need it. It should not be ignored just because there are few in need.
My new colleagues on campus keep saying my transition will get better with time once I get used to everything. I can only hope they're right because I feel like a tourist who doesn't belong here and that scares me. Now that I have what I want, I puzzled me as to why I can't stop thinking about going home.
I'm confident that this revived transfer assistance program will help me, but only if they can gather enough fellow students for me to relate to.
Ashlei Maltman is a junior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Transfer Student
posted 5/16/08 @ 9:02 PM CST
The best tip is to get involved as much as possible. I transferred last fall and at first, it was sort of a culture shock. The more I got involved in various organizations, the more I felt at home here at EIU. (Continued…)
Some Advice from an Alumni
posted 5/20/08 @ 9:07 AM CST
It is new, different, and not easy... at first. Don't look so short term. Plan some ways to get involved and meet people. But while you wait for those opportunities, concentrate on your classes. (Continued…)
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