Top 10 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.
1. 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 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. Learn how to leverage your strengths.
2. Create a time management system 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. For more specific suggestions about time management, check out our resources.
3. 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 (e.g., the three-part reading experience, the Bionic Reading Method, listening to online textbooks, etc.) to determine which strategies help you both maximize your comprehension and can fit into your schedule.
4. Notetaking is a key skill
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 more about notetaking techniques.
5. Prepare for different types of assignments
Depending on your discipline, course, and instructor you may be asked to complete a writing assignment that you have not encountered previously. If so, you may find it useful to review our general descriptions of assignments.
6. Make time to revise, edit, and proofread a written assignment
With the time constraints that you may have, it might be tempting to quickly skim over an assignment before submitting it to your instructor. Consider adding time into your schedule to review your work in three steps. 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.
7. Review course content regularly with active learning strategies
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.
8. 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 the way you learn and your memory, so try to take small actions wherever possible to strengthen your habits.
9. Cultivate a “growth mindset”
Dr. Carol Dweck is a psychologist who developed the “growth mindset” theory. According to Dweck (2006), a person with a “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.
10. 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 more about Academic Skills services.
References
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.