As a transfer student, transition can be super difficult, lonely, and confusing. In 2020, I transferred to Temple from the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). There are a few tips and general advice that I wish someone would have shared with me before and during my transition that I think is important to share. So, if you are new to Temple this semester or planning to transfer to Temple soon, here is my advice:
You Are Not Alone: When I first transferred to Temple I felt super alone. It felt as if I was the only one and that everyone else around me was comfortable at Temple. It’s important to remember you are not alone and there is an entire community of transfer students. My suggestion is to join Temple’s Transfer Student Facebook group. This group is an excellent way to meet fellow transfers, find answers to common questions, and even might be a way to find a roommate. Lots of times transfer students are looking for roommates because just like you they are new to the area. It’s even a great way to make new friends and enjoy Temple’s campus together so you don’t feel so alone.
Scholarship Opportunities: Something amazing about transferring is there are scholarship opportunities specifically for transfer students! Sometimes it can depend on what school you came from, or your GPA, but it’s something every transfer student should look into. My suggestion is to login onto Temple Scholarship Portal, https://temple.academicworks.com/, and see what’s available.
Get Involved Early: Getting involved in clubs and extracurricular activities has been the best way to make Temple feel like home. It has been how I have built relationships and friendships with my classmates and has opened up opportunities for internships. Whatever your major is, there is probably a school club that goes along with it. Sign-ups and payments for clubs are usually early in the semester, so my suggestion is to check them out as soon as possible. This is a great place to start looking for Temple clubs: https://temple.campuslabs.com/engage/
Follow Temple on Social: As a transfer student, you might not know what type of activities or events Temple has each year. Following Temple’s social media accounts is a great way to stay updated on what events are happening each week and month. Attending these events is a great way to make friends and relax outside of school work.
Meet With Your Advisor: My last piece of advice is to meet with your advisor. Meeting with your advisor helps ensure you are taking the right classes and meeting all the requirements for graduation. When transferring, some credits might not transfer with you and you may need extra classes you didn’t know about. Advisors help you break down the classes you need, as well as help you with other questions such as adding a minor or track.
This blog post was written by Lindsi Smith, Treasurer.