Many more students are transferring to the University of Maryland every year, especially in spring semester. Some students have to relive their freshmen experience for a second time. Each semester students from community colleges or other colleges in or out-of-state apply to transfer to this university.
About 1,675 students transferred to this university in Fall 2011, according to the University of Maryland undergraduate admission website.
As a fellow transfer student, I am well aware of how difficult it is to transition into and adjust to a big school like the University of Maryland. But here are some tips from other transfer students to survive in a big pond like this university:
1. Be economical.
Nowadays, gas prices aren’t the only rising good and service. With people losing their jobs and becoming more worried about finding jobs, it has become increasingly harder to pay tuition at the University of Maryland. Some transfer students opt to make some changes to alleviate the financial costs they incur.
“If you can transfer to a school in-state from where you’re transferring from, the costs are much cheaper,” said senior Alan Cinsavich, a geology major who transferred from Ellicott Community College. Molly Fector, a freshman broadcast journalism major saved up in a different way. “I was admitted for spring but spent my first semester at UMBC instead of doing Freshmen Connection, to save a little money,” she said.
2. Be prepared. Don’t underestimate your classes.
Many transfer students, like any student, assume their classes will be easy at the University of Maryland. Don’t learn the hard way. “Be prepared to know how difficult the classes will be,” said Patricia Desouza, a criminal justice major who transferred from Montgomery College [MC].
“I thought the classes would be easy like MC but the classes [at UMD] ended up biting me in the ass.” She advises future transfer students to realize the difficulty of classes at this university and then push themselves to work hard.
3. Balance your social and academic life.
The two hardest parts of college to balance are academics and having a social life. But we can have both. Desouza advises taking advantage of the large classes and environment at the University of Maryland to get to know people who can help you focus while maintaining your social and academic life. Fector also took advantage of the large environment and advises students to make themselves talk to a lot of people.
4. Get involved.
If you’re a transfer student and commute, it can be hard to get involved. To make the most of your experience at the University of Maryland, become involved in clubs, sports or other activities. “At my community college everybody was used to going to class and leaving,” said Desouza, who commutes to campus. “At the University of Maryland I made many friends through study groups and went to a lot of Greek life functions.”
Cinsavich, who also commutes, decided to create his own club called Performers of the Arts. “The whole idea is a time and place where any student at Maryland that has a desire to act, sing, dance or play an instrument can practice, gain experience performing with other people and receive vital feedback to help them improve,” he said.
Though the club won’t be SGA-recognized this or next year, Cinsavich is planning how to get students and professors to serve as coaches for next semester.
Fletcher is a DJ for her radio show called “Morgan’s Mollywhop” on WMUC. Whether it’s going to Juke Joint, being a radio DJ or going to a Maryland home game, becoming involved in campus life or trying something new eases the transfer process.
5. “Act like a Russian,” set up a plan.
Cinsavich said students should always have a plan. “You need to plan out your academic responsibilities as well as other areas of your life,” he said. “If you stick to your plan you don’t have to worry or stress out about things in general and it helps you learn not to bite off more than you can chew.”
Cinsavich’s advice rings true. Many students often overburden themselves with classes, clubs, work and other activities and don’t know how to lessen their loads. Desouza, who balances commuting, work and an internship, said her 15 credit semester at the University of Maryland is harder than when she took 18 credits at MC. Sometimes it’s important to say no or not take on another project.
Being the “new kid” again may bring up feelings of nervousness and uncertainty, but following these tips will help you become a Terp in no time.