For some college students, transferring to university feels like a fresh start full of momentum. For others, it’s a tougher climb and one that calls for extra support and guidance. That’s why Trent University has introduced a new online course designed specifically for college transfer students. Created by the Trent Teaching Commons and the Office of Student Affairs, the program helps students bridge the academic and social transition, turning potential “transfer shock” into a confident step forward. 

“Some transfer students may demonstrate an aptitude and thrive at the new institution, known as transfer ecstasy, while others experience a temporary, stress-related decline in academic performance known as transfer shock,” says Jess Malcolm ’19, Trent University graduate and Trent Teaching Commons (TTC) research assistant. 

These findings are part of research conducted by the TTC and Office of Student Affairs aimed at addressing gaps and areas of improvement in the college transfer experience. 

“What we found was that college-to-university transfer students face different institutional and logistical challenges, such as course selection and registration, challenges that they don't always face in college. Where college programs might offer a pre-set program, university learners are given more freedom to plan their own degree path,” says Jess. “We also found that while some Canadian universities had a bridging program for high school students, that there wasn’t really one for college students.” 

Setting a New Course

To reduce experiences of transfer shock, the TTC and Office of Student Affairs led a campus-wide collaboration to design a solution tailored specifically for college transfer students. Academic advisors, faculty from Nursing, Business, Social Work, and the School of the Environment, along with Student Affairs, library services, and other campus partners came together to explore how best to bridge the college transition. 

The result is a new compressed online support course, UNIV-2001 Making the Leap: Foundations for University Success. Education developer Devon Stillwell, working with eLearning designer Stephanie Ferguson and eLearning technologist Josh Andrews, built the course. Grounded in research and a strengths-based approach, the course helps students apply what they already know to their new university environment. 

The course covers academic skills, degree planning, and university life, with dedicated advising appointments and resources embedded into the program. Learners are guided by “Mel,” a fictional transfer student who models the transfer journey and offers relatable tips along the way. Students also receive support and resource navigation from trained upper-year peer mentors and Trent University staff. 

“Transfer students can have such varied experiences,” Devon says. “We wanted to build something supportive, an all-in-one ‘roadmap to success’ that different kinds of learners would find relevant and valuable.” 

Sylvia Dick, academic transitions advisor at Trent, says the course “gives transfer students the knowledge and confidence to make the best decisions for their degree plan,” ultimately turning what could be a stressful leap into a strong and supported landing. 

Learn more about UNIV-2001 Making the Leap: Foundations for University Success and the bridge program. 

This project received support from ONCAT (Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer).