Transfer Student Resources

Transfer Top Ten 

1. Familiarize yourself with your new campus

Know where and what services are available on campus to support you. Start by checking out this virtual campus tour. Make sure you take note of where you can find Mary Walker Health Center, Penfield Library, and Culkin Hall. Many important services are housed within those buildings.

2. Meet with your Faculty Advisor and understand your degree audit

By the second week of classes you will transition to your Faculty Academic Advisor. You can check for their name and contact information on your Student Profile in MyOswego. Connecting with your Faculty Advisor allows you to begin making connections within your Academic Department, familiarize yourself with your degree audit and understand your requirements to complete your degree. Send them an email, introduce yourself and ask to set up a time to meet.

3. Visit Penfield Library

Penfield Library has more than the Lake Effect Cafe (although you should definitely treat yourself from time to time). Did you know that you can reserve a study carrel (ie. your own little study pod) in Penfield Library for a day or for the entire semester? This is a great option if you need a quiet space to study in between classes. There are also spaces you can reserve to work with a group or practice a presentation. Penfield has many services that can help you have a successful semester.

4. Check out clubs at the Student Involvement Fair

The college's Student Involvement Fair, which allows students to explore some of the more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus, is usually held on the first Wednesday of the semester in the Marano Campus Center arena. Learn more about clubs, organizations, campus recreation and more ways to get involved on campus. If you can’t make it to the fair make sure you check out Laker Life, the virtual home for Student Organizations.

5. Know what tutoring services are available

The Office of Learning Services (OLS) is divided into three centers: The STEM Center, the Tutoring Center and the Writing Center.

The STEM Center provides appointment-based and drop-in tutoring for science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses.

The Tutoring Center provides tutoring in the arts, business, humanities, modern languages, and social sciences. Tutors in this center can provide assistance with study skills, outlining, vocabulary, time management, textbook use, quiz/exam practice, presentation feedback, content review, computer applications and much more.

The Writing Center provides writing assistance for students across the disciplines and all class ranks. The Writing tutors can help with any step of the writing process. All of the Centers are housed within Penfield Library. Appointments can be made online through TutorTrac and drop in tutoring schedules are available on the OLS website.

6. Attend a campus event

Whether it’s cheering at a game, cleaning up the lake or snapping your fingers at Spoken word, participating in campus events helps you make Oswego your home. Campus events can easily be found on the Campus Events Calendar.

7. Utilize support services

Although you’re probably familiar with what campus resources are generally offered - you should now become an expert at all things Oswego. From SHOP, the on campus food pantry to international education, Oswego has many offices that can help support you as you transition and beyond. Academic Success, Health, Well-being and Fitness, Parking, Campus Safety and more. The Resources and Support Services webpage provides a great summary but if you need help figuring out which office can support your needs, email transfer@oswego.edu.

8. Visit your Professor's office hours

Professors post their office location and office hours on their course syllabus. Visiting a professor during their office hours can not only help you answer any questions you may have about the content of your course but it will also help your professor get to know you. This is very important as you begin to consider research in your area and networking for the future. If you’re unable to locate their office or office hours, try using the people search feature on the Oswego website and if all else fails, send a professional email asking for a time to meet.

9. Revise your resume & connect with your career coach

You may already have a resume created - that’s wonderful. Let our award winning Career Services staff help you revise your resume and prepare for the next steps including networking, personal branding and LinkedIn, Graduate School or Internships and Careers. Resumes can be revised at the Career Services Resource Center with no appointment necessary. Students can then schedule an appointment with their industry based Career Coach through Handshake. Career Coaches can guide you through all of the steps to prepare for your next step after Oswego whatever that may be. It’s never too early to start this process.

10. Get experience with EXCEL

Our EXCEL Office, Experiential Courses and Engaged Learning offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities, where students can learn both inside and outside of the classroom. Internships, Community Services, College and Career Courses and unique programs: take part in one of these activities to get hands-on experience that will help you move toward the next steps. Many majors at Oswego require Academic Internships for academic credit. Understanding the internship process early will reduce stress as your prepare.