reflection

Diana Thompson
Final Reflection
Transfer Seminar
March 14, 2014 Before transferring to Georgian Court University, I had already attended two other colleges. I lived in a dorm my freshmen year at Ramapo and decided that was not for me. After leaving Ramapo, I decided to take a few semesters at Brookdale Community College in order to fulfill some requirements while deciding where exactly was the right place for myself to continue with my education. After searching through many brochures and getting first hand details about schools from people I am acquainted with, I was overcome with joy when I found Georgian Court. Since I am double majoring in both English and Education, it is hard to find schools that offer the two as a pair as well as offer the special endorsement for teaching students with disabilities. Georgian Court is also one of the top teaching schools, with a very high rate of job placement after graduation, which was another thing that captivated me. The economy is very unpredictable at this point in time and it is only plausible to choose the very best school to go to that is well known for the extraordinary practices in the field of study you want to pursue. Here at Georgian Court I have found everything I have been looking for. Coming from another school has truly shown me the differences between institutions. At both Brookdale and Ramapo I felt lost, like I had no direction from advisors or my teachers. From the beginning everyone at Georgian Court has been helpful, starting with my late admissions into the school. When setting up my schedule for this semester, my advisor showed me exactly what classes I should take as well as which ones in the future I would need to complete my degree. This differs from the other schools because neither school actually showed me which classes would be beneficial for me. Knowing exactly what classes I needed to take before I take them is beneficial to me because it will be easier to set up my schedule in the future so by the time I get to my last semester I am not cramming all my very hard classes together.
Having this transfer course has also helped me throughout my transfer process here at Georgian Court because it makes you take an in depth look into how Georgian was created and all the services as well as activities that are offered. By having an assignment that makes you look into the clubs that are offered, you can see the multitude of clubs that have been formed instead of only assuming that the clubs offered are the same at other schools or not even joining a club because you are unaware of the clubs that interest you. Contacting my academic advisor and introducing myself has showed me how personal everything is at Georgian Court because everyone is looking out for your academic achievements as well as the fact that everyone wants you to succeed in school. As the academic advisor you are in charge of the academic courses that will progress the student towards their goal. I have learned at other schools that that is not exactly the case when it comes to academic advisors. Most of the time, the advisors have too many students to deal with at once making it hard for them to take make a personal connection with the students they are trying to help. With this being said, I’m not denouncing other schools academic advisement programs, I am simply noting how Georgian Court surpasses other schools when it comes to the welfare and academic programs that the students must complete.
By learning the in depth facts about Georgian Courts inner workings, as well as how other students have completed the transfer process and seeing other students happiness here at Georgian Court, I have realized that I have made the right decision by coming here. Even though it is a big adjustment for me, coming from a community college into a four- year school, I am learning to adjust and it mostly has to do with this online transfer course. I work forty hours a week and I also am trying to complete my degree as quick as possible because I am behind two semesters, but I am beginning to realize that since it is not a community college I should have been more prepared for the type of work I would need to complete at this school.
I am hoping in the future semesters to come that I am able to work on my time management as well as find an easier way to become organized in order to work to my best ability in my upcoming semesters. The teachers at Georgian Court have all been understanding and sympathetic to the fact that I did not know what I was getting myself into with the workload that I have procured. These teachers have been a big help to my success during my first semester here. In semesters to come, I am hoping that I will be able to get all my work in on time as well as attend more events and join more than one club. Georgian Court has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and enter into a place where everyone is very involved in the activities that are going on constantly as well as making new people feel welcome.
I have enjoyed my first semester here at Georgian Court immensely and I cannot wait to get started on my upcoming semesters to see what the rest of Georgian Court is really like as well as meet new people who also are on their own road to success.