Transfer students coming to Stanislaus State try their best to make a graceful transition into this new campus life, but they may encounter a few hiccups along the way. Whether it be not knowing when to transfer, wondering which classes and units are transferable, or something more simple like getting lost on the way to class, the transition can be scary and stressful.
Leticia Barrios, admissions counselor at Stan State, explained that one big issue that students may encounter is “finding the timeline of when they could transfer and when the requirements are due.”
“For students coming in during the fall semester, they have to be done the spring prior to the fall they start,” Barrios explained. “For students coming in during the spring, they have to be done the summer prior,” she continued.
Warriors on the Way is a program that can help transfer students meet the requirements as early as when they begin at community college.
For some students, the actual on-campus experience can be difficult.
“[Transferring] was a little rocky at first,” says Jen Melo (junior, Ag Business Major), who is a transfer student from Merced College and is currently in her second semester at Stan State.
The differences in workloads between a community college and a four-year university can also be a challenge for students.
“The workload is different. At Merced, I took less classes than at Stan, so trying to figure out how to balance work, school, and other things I was involved in took some time to get used to,” said Melo.
Even though she was met with many challenges, Melo explained how events and activities like New Student Orientation were helpful.
“One thing that made [the transition] easy was the student orientation during the summer. I sat with other students who were also transferring and in the same major as me,” Melo said. “Most of them I am still good friends with and we help each other out when we can.”
Kaleigh Mills, an incoming transfer student from Merced College, say that she is excited for New Student Orientation.
“I think it is going to be super helpful to learn about the resources that the school provides, especially if I need extra help in my classes,” Mills said.
Although several events are postponed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these resources remain available virtually. The next New Student Orientation will also be moving to a virtual format, but according to Student Affairs, an in-person orientation experience will be held in the fall for all incoming students during the Warrior Weeks of Welcome.
The transition from a community college to a four-year institution can be rough, but there are so many things that Stan State offers to help make the process go as smoothly as possible.
