Do you have prior learning at college or university? See these tips for transfer students
Welcome to Trent! We are happy that you have joined our community, and we look forward to working with you. As you continue your learning journey here, consider the following suggestions to help with your transition process.
- Getting started
- Did you study at college before attending university?
- Build on your strengths
- Time management that works for you
- Key learning skills
- Research, writing, and critical thinking
- Protect your academic honesty
- Nurture your well-being
- Build your support network
Getting Started
- Activate your myTrent account and check your Trent email frequently.
- Get comfortable navigating Blackboard. Blackboard is Trent’s online learning system, and it is where you can find lecture notes, assignment instructions, grade information, and more.
- Decode the lingo! If you have read or heard unfamiliar academic terms, consider checking out this glossary to find out more information.
- Explore the campus. To help with wayfinding, consult the Office of the Registrar’s list of building abbreviations and interactive map of the campus.
Did you study at College before attending University?
This video explains three key differences between learning experiences at college and university in Ontario, and it offers strategies to support you in adapting your skills and knowledge for these new experiences.
Build on your strengths
Based on your previous academic experiences, you likely have reading, research, writing, and study skills that you can refine for learning at Trent University. You may also have practical knowledge or lived experiences that can contribute greatly to how you think about and understand the theories presented by your instructors. Take some time to identify your strengths and analyze how you can use them to achieve academic success. Build on your strengths.
Time management that works for you
Time management can be complex because our relationship with time is influenced by multiple factors. Numerous tools and strategies exist to help you develop a schedule and keep track of deadlines, but you may need to experiment to discover the system that is most appropriate for you. Find out more about time management strategies.
Key learning skills
Reading is important
Assigned readings, outlined in your syllabus, can deepen your understanding of course content and help you learn effective methods to engage with academic texts. Consider trying different reading approaches to determine which strategies help you both maximize your comprehension and can fit into your schedule. Try our 3-step reading approach.
Notetaking is essential
There are many benefits to taking notes about the content you are learning. For example, notetaking can help you stay focused in lecture, identify key themes or ideas, organize your thoughts, and create study tools. Learn about note taking in lectures.
Use active learning strategies to review course content
Add regular review sessions into your schedule to help you retain information more effectively over time. These sessions could be short; reviewing for 30 minutes each week can make a big difference. During your review session, try to use active learning strategies. For example, you could answer practice questions, make a mind map, or create a study chart. Read more on the learning cycle and long-term learning strategies.
Research, writing, and critical thinking
In university, there are many different types of assignments that require you to demonstrate your writing and research skills, knowledge, and critical thinking in tandem. Critical thinking is highly valued because it helps us gain a deeper understanding of complex concepts and ideas. Integrating critical thinking into written assignments helps create clear, well-organized, and interesting work.
Written assignments usually incorporate sources that provide support for your ideas. The research process can take time, so consider this when you are planning your schedule.
Once you have a draft of a written assignment, consider reviewing your work in three steps before you submit it. First, analyze the overall content and structure of your work. Then, edit the organization and sentence structure in your paper. Lastly, check your assignment for typos and other minor issues. For more details about this process, check out these resources on revision and editing.
Protect your academic honesty
Most writing assignments and testing reflect independent work and adhere to the rules of academic integrity. This means that all must uphold the principles of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility.
Using sources effectively helps to prevent plagiarism and academic integrity issues, as well as indicates that you are entering into academic conversations. Learn to paraphrase and summarize.
Nurture your well-being
Support your brain: Sleep, eat, and exercise
We acknowledge that developing healthy sleeping, eating, and exercise patterns can be challenging for a variety of reasons. However, these factors can influence your learning and memory, so try to take small actions wherever possible to strengthen your habits.
Cultivate a “growth mindset”
Psychologist, Dr. Carol Dweck (2006) developed the “growth mindset” theory, which emphasizes that a person with “growth mindset” believes that they can enhance their intellectual abilities. This development requires effort, working through challenges and setbacks, learning from feedback, and finding inspiration and support from others. Consider approaching your studies with a “growth mindset” to help you meet your goals.
Build your Support Network
Connect with others
Connect with others to make the university experience more enjoyable and to develop a support network that can help you overcome challenges when they arise. There are many ways to meet people at Trent. For example, the person you say hi to in your first class may become a close friend. Joining study groups and events on campus may give you opportunities to build relationships with people who share your interests. Chat with your instructor or teaching assistant to clarify course concepts and find out about their latest research.
Academic Skills is also here for you. We offer online resources, workshops, events, and individual appointments to support your learning needs. Find out how to book an appointment with Academic Skills
We also work with Academic Advising to host a weekly gathering, Study Café, for mature and transfer undergraduate students. These sessions can help you build community and give you time and space to focus on your academic development.
References
Adapted from Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.