Freshmen aren’t always the new kids in town. Transfer students who begin their University careers as sophomores, juniors or even seniors struggle with the same issues freshmen face in a new campus environment.

Surveys conducted by Ball State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison showed that transfer students often had a more difficult time meeting other students and making friends than freshmen did because of a lack of transition support from the new school. In 2008 the University started a program called the Transfer Student Priority Group to ease the transition for transfer students, but some students are still struggling.

Jeanne Brown, Olathe junior, said that when she transferred to the University from the University of Minnesota, she struggled connecting with new friends and didn’t feel as if she was “part” of the University.

“A lot of my friends from high school went to KU,” Brown said. “But I wasn’t still connected with them that much, so it was really hard making new friends, especially because I wasn’t living in the dorms.”

Brown said she had trouble transitioning because her roommates already had their groups of friends and daily routines. She said that when she was on campus, it took her a while to get used to where all the buildings were. She said she didn’t know where the Underground was for two months until she “happened” upon it. The Underground is located in the lower level of Wescoe Hall.

“I didn’t want to look like a freshman,” Brown said. “It was embarrassing taking out the campus map all the time and I hated asking random people where something was.”

Lisa Wolf-Wendel, professor of educational leadership and policy studies, said researchers had found that students transferring from a community college to four-year institutions often struggled academically when they first arrived, something she called “transfer shock.”

“The reasons for the transfer shock might include a difference in institutional size and class size,” Wolf-Wendel said. “It might be the new-found freedom students experience at the four-year college because often traditional aged students live at home while attending community college and then move away to attend the university.”

Wolf-Wendel said research suggested that transfer shock often occurred because some universities didn’t offer support systems to help transfer students properly adjust. She said programs and support systems to help freshman feel comfortable in a university setting were more common.

Lizzie Morin, Olathe junior, transferred from Washburn University to the University last year. She said that because she lived in the residence halls at Washburn she knew everyone there and didn’t have trouble making friends. She said that when she transferred to the University, it was more difficult to meet people because she moved into an apartment with another transfer student.

“I wish there had been some sort of organization or club for transfer students,” Morin said. “I felt like the only way to meet people was through my classes, and that was definitely kind of awkward sometimes.”

Morin said her transfer student orientation process was a little confusing and caused problems for her because a lot of her credits didn’t transfer over, which put her behind schedule compared with other students her age.

Facult members formed the Transfer Student Priority Group to improve the experience of transfer students. The group developed a report that recommended a list of 15 activities and programs, including a Hawk Week event specifically for transfer students, that would make their experience better.

Lee Furbeck, associate director of admissions and scholarships, was the leader of the Transfer Student Priority Group last year. She said that in Fall 2008, 1,512 students transferred to the University. She noticed some common problems associated with students, such as living off-campus, that made it more difficult for students to meet people initially.

“The transfer experience can really vary from person to person,” Furbeck said. “Students who have been out of school awhile may have to get used to studying again.”

Megan Baker, project coordinator of New Student Orientation, said Hawk Week this year would feature a Transfer Student Meet and Greet, which would give all transfer students an opportunity to meet other transfer students and make connections. Other information will be available such as campus maps, bus routes and information on housing.

“I agree that transfer students have a more difficult time meeting other students and making new friends when they arrive to a new institution,” Baker said. “Transfer students typically live off-campus, which makes it more difficult to get involved and meet people, compared to new freshmen students who live on campus and have an abundance of services and people available to them in their residence halls.”

Baker said New Student Orientation would be hosting a new series this fall called Hawk Lunches. She said the lunches would give new students an opportunity to reconnect with Orientation Assistants and have their questions about their first semester answered. One of these lunches will be specifically for transfer students.

“I encourage transfer students to live on campus for one year,” Baker said. “If this is not an option, I encourage them to get involved with on of the many student organizations on campus.”