CUHK Online Orientation - Student Experience
Transfer Shock
If you are transferring to a new university, you could experience something called “transfer-shock”. A Senior-year Admitted (SYA) student may experience a temporary dip in grades in the first or second semester at the university because of unexpectedly difficult coursework and tight study schedule as what foreign transfer students encountered.
Along with the study-related pressures, the surrounding things in the new campus may make you feel like a stranger– different cultures, policies, amount of services provided and even the school online portals. It takes time to learn and to adapt these things. There’s may be a challenge of making new friends and feeling connected as it requires effort and time to build connection with your peers.
Mental Health
Our research findings shared the similar results to the foreign situation that SYA students have heavier study loads, lower social support, lower self-efficacy and more mental health concerns. The table below shows you the comparison between SYA students and Non-SYA students.
Table 1. Comparisons between SYA and non-SYA students
|
SYA |
Non-SYA |
T-test |
|
|
Factors |
Mean Score |
p |
|
|
Study Load a |
3.85±0.77 | 3.69±0.73 | <0.001* |
|
Study load and stress b |
3.34±0.78 | 3.23±0.77 | <0.001* |
|
Peer Support b |
3.73±0.68 | 3.81±0.64 | <0.001* |
|
Sense of belonging b |
3.24±0.86 | 3.33±0.79 | <0.01* |
|
Social connections b |
3.26±0.64 | 3.36±0.54 | <0.001* |
| Mental Health | |||
| Anxiety c | 11.41±9.5 | 10.88±8.59 | --- |
| Depression c | 12.28±9.86 | 11.33±9.13 | <0.01* |
| Stress c | 15.03±10.05 | 14.64±9.56 | --- |
a Rating 1: very light to 5: very heavy
b Rating 1: very low to 5: very high
c Rating 1: very low to 42: very high
*: Statistically significant
Source: SYA Project team. (2020). Unpublished survey results.
Believe in Yourself
It seems that SYA students will encounter academic and social challenges at the point of admission to the university. But no worry, you will get adjusted to the new study mode with an outstanding award GPA when you are graduated from the university. Believe in yourself!