Transfer students oftentimes have difficulties adjusting to a new school system. A new school will likely offer an entirely different environment. These changes can tend to be overwhelming with no familiarity. Amy Prudencio, a school counselor, is one of the department members who meets, welcomes and introduces the students to the school.

” We talk with the student about their interests,” Prudencio said. “Based on the student’s personality, we can try to connect the student with teachers to help with the transition.

For this, Erin O’Brien, a high school senior, suggests a buddy-system-like program for transfer students. In this, the transfer student is paired up with another student of the school to attempt to  build comfort and friendship between the two. This individual can act as a sort of mentor. They can also help the transfer student better transition to their classes.

” When I transferred, I was overwhelmed,” O’Brien said. “I had no friends. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do with myself.”

Due to the schools different scheduling and the social climate, transferring can be. To make the transition easier, transfers have their first meeting set up with the school’s counselor. There, the school and the counselor will learn about the students previous school, interests, and their personality. This is used to help connect the student with others who have similar interests if they so choose. The information also helps connect the student with classes that correlate with their interests.

The large number of students in the school could also add to the already stressed situation. A large concern is the cafeteria situation. This is due to the immediately large number of students and the deafeningly loud noise that comes with it.

” Counselors may also try to set the student up with other students in their same lunch hour to help.” Prudencio said.