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Show 32 | MyWeberMedia.com| Waldo’s World 2017 The Signpost Archives Transfer students are the newbies who, unlike incoming freshmen, have seen it all before but may need help with their transfer from another university or state. By KELLIE PLUMHOF S&T Editor At the beginning of the school year, three types of students arrive at Weber State University: freshmen eager to start their college careers, returning students back in a familiar place and transfer students who fit into an entirely different mold. It’s not that we transfer students are lost — we’ve already done the whole college thing before. We know how to buy our books, register for classes and (hopefully) succeed in our college courses. But now we are facing a new college environment. The transfer may have come out of preference, such as wanting to pursue a new degree. The transfer may also have come from necessity. A student may have run out of funds, lost housing at his or her last college or needed to be closer to family. No matter the reason, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you decide to transfer. CREDITS When transferring from a different school, especially from one out of state, it is important to know beforehand which credits will transfer and which won’t. Some websites, such as Collegetransfer.net, will let you input courses from one school and show how they will transfer to a different school. Once a student’s transcripts have been processed at Weber State, the classes and how they transfer show up in Cattracks, WSU’s progress-tracking system. Transfer students should make an appointment and speak with an adviser before the semester begins. SCHOLARSHIPS Short of being independently wealthy, scholarships are the best way to pay for an education. The best part about scholarships is that you don’t have to pay them back. They won’t leave you in debt, so take advantage of them. Scholarships are more abundant than most people think, and it is a discouraging myth that scholarships are sparse. It’s important to speak with an adviser, the financial aid office and your department (or departments, if you’re not exactly sure what you want to pursue) to see what scholarships are available, along with upcoming deadlines. HOUSING In addition to a new school, most transfer students also face the challenge of moving to a new area. This means finding appropriate housing that fits their needs and budget. While housing on campus may not always seem like the ideal option — especially for someone wanting independence — it can often be a good place to start. On-campus housing can provide students with contracts shorter than a year lease, as well as proximity to campus. This is ideal for students who don’t own a car and need easy access to campus. offer — writing centers, tutoring centers and mental/physical health centers are now a staple for most campuses. However, there are unique services that are available only at specific schools. Take, for example, the Stress Relief Center in the Swenson Gym on the WSU main campus. The center offers massage chairs, inversion tables and chi machines to help students reduce stress and relax. The center is also equipped with comfy chairs, iPads and iPods. CAMPUS SERVICES Kellie Plumhof is the Science & Tech Editor for the Signpost and is working toward her degree in criminal justice at WSU. Each college campus is unique, not only in its layout but also in which services are offered. Transfer students may want to familiarize themselves with various campus services as soon as possible. Most transfer students will be familiar with the basics that almost every university has to Follow Kellie on Instagram @kelliepotter Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com |