College Transitions Activity

Preparing for Your College Transition for Transfer Students

Video

For our transfer students, we understand that their transition to college will be different than that of a First-Year student. Their life experiences are different, the experiences that they will have in college are different, their housing situation will be different, etc. But amongst the differences of our transfer students, we all have 1 thing in common during orientation, all students are new to WSU Pullman. This activity is adjusted to conform to the needs of our student population. 

Student should:

• Learn they are not alone in whatever they are feeling, even with all their life experience, it is normal to feel nervous!
• Learn that while they may be a bit different from their first-year peers, they will also be sharing classrooms with students who may be younger than them and/or with first-year students. 
• Be able to discuss how they were successful at their previous institution and pass on to their peers how they can do it here. If they were not successful at their previous institution, what are they going to do differently?
• Reflect on what was learned during the day
• Share in the community about their hopes and fears of starting at a new school
• Get to know other Cougs to build connections 

Unlike 4 corners where students share based on the never, sometimes, often, always responses, for this activity we want students to be able to engage in fluid conversations. Here are some starting prompts to get the conversation started:

1. Talk about the privilege of returning to college in-person post-COVID-19 pandemic.
2. What life experiences do they bring to WSU and how do they believe they can positively influence first-year students. 
3. Why WSU Pullman? What brought them to the Palouse? 
4. Talk about relationships in college
   • Making friends
   • Getting to know your faculty
   • Using support services like tutoring, academic advising, etc.
5. Do they plan to engage in the university culture? (sporting events, RSOs, etc.)? 
   1. Make sure to discuss the positives of getting involved, the community that is built by attending sporting events - the communities that you have been able to build with some of your transfer experiences.
6. Mental health
   • College is a time of stress and exciting possibilities. More than ever it’s important to talk about mental health
   • Share examples of what you to balance your school, work, personal life
7. Ask them to envision graduating
   • What do they hope to accomplish at WSU besides getting a degree?
   • What are experiences they don’t want to miss out on?
   • Anything they thought was impossible but maybe is possible?
8. Cougs Help Cougs
   • Family and other supporters may be far away or not understand what is going on at college. Rely on friends for helping during missed classes, study sessions, having fun, and making safe choices.
9. Sleep is Important
   • Remind students how important sleep is and talk about how they have to make it a priority to be successful.
10. Time management
    • So many things to do, so little time. Discuss how time management is important; discuss your experiences or struggles with time management
      • Don't forget, the ASCC has amazing seminars and workshops that concentrate on time-management!

Tips:

• If possible, have students sit in a circle so they can see everyone.
• Remind students to share as much or as little as they are able and willing to share.
• Remind students you are a mandatory reporter – anything shared about sexual or physical misconduct needs to be shared with your supervisor.