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not assume transitions will be the same as
with your first student. Each student has a
different experience as they map their lives.
4. Opportunity to Start Over
College can best be defined as a period of
transition. For some, it is a time to create a
new or altered identity from the one they had
in high school. Many students will develop
new identities, seek new roles and engage
in experimentation. Recognize as they are
in this time of exploration, they may look
and act differently. For example, they may
develop new eating habits, express new
political viewpoints and dress differently.
Preparing yourself mentally and recognizing
these transitions as expected will allow you to
respond appropriately.
5. Encourage Involvement and
Engagement Both In and Out of Class
One of the biggest benefits to college is
students have the ability to engage in many
opportunities. Of course, academic success
and learning is at the forefront, but students
who glean the most from their collegiate
experience invest in both academic and non-academic activities. Clemson has more than 700
honor societies, student organizations, clubs and sports organizations, and participating in
these opportunities is one way to augment the undergraduate experience.
THE TRANSFER STUDENT EXPERIENCE
As the parent of a new transfer student, you may have concerns about how your student will
make the transition from their previous school to Clemson. Many parents are as excited
as their student is about the opportunity to enroll as a new transfer student and what that
means for their son or daughter as they continue their undergraduate education at Clemson.
Parents should also know there are unique situations many new transfer students face as they
begin their first semester.
Transfer students may find they are learning a new campus again — where the academic
buildings are, where the closest dining hall is located, where they should park and what the
parking rules are on campus. We find our transfer students tend to apply navigational skills
they learned from their previous institution to their new institution. This can sometimes
bring added stress, as the new campus has an entirely different culture and process.
Additionally, transfer students are learning to navigate their new environment through
communication and information received. Clemson may have some systems in place similar
to other institutions, but some things are very Clemson-specific. New transfer students often
tell us they feel a little disoriented until they learn the routines for such services as the CAT
Bus system and how to find the campus recreation schedule for fitness classes or intramurals.
The feeling is usually short-lived as new transfer students will find the campus to be a
welcoming place where people are friendly and willing to meet other students.
Transfer students will also make new friends and expand their social connections at Clemson.
Most new transfer students report they meet new friends in their classes by introducing
themselves, joining a study group for a class or working together on a group project assignment.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
•
Faculty members have office hours —
encourage your student to go.
•
As a student gets to know a faculty
member, it will be easier to ask for help
if trouble is encountered.
•
Many residential communities have
strong faculty connections through
faculty-in-residence or faculty
friends. Encourage your student
to connect with them and to seek
out guidance from the faculty
perspective.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
We encourage you to keep the lines of
communication open and discuss things
with your student frequently. Parents
can assist their students by helping them
understand transition as a temporary
state; once the student has been in
classes and has begun to meet other
students, they will soon feel they are part
of the Clemson Family.