UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For 60 percent of the 35,000 undergraduate students at Penn State University Park, junior year marks the beginning of a new journey.
Before completing their education at the University Park campus, many students enroll at one of Penn State’s 20 undergraduate Commonwealth Campuses where they fulfill their first two years of study, and for many students, earn an associate degree. For those who choose to change campuses, both benefits and challenges accompany their decisions.
“Being at a Commonwealth Campus benefits a lot of students,” said John Shaffer, a senior majoring in political science who spent his first two years at Penn State Mont Alto. “Having more opportunities for direct contact with professors provides students with a lot of opportunities to learn about their field. Campus students get to know and meet a lot of their classmates and many form lasting bonds.”
For some, transitioning to the University Park campus can be challenging. Some difficulties include commuting to and from classes, navigating State College, adapting to different class environments and teaching styles and forming new friendships on a campus with more than 45,000.
“The most important tip I can offer is to be organized,” Shaffer said. “Developing a planned, concise routine will make it easier to make the adjustment.”
As president of the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, Shaffer said that the mission of CCSG is to advocate on behalf of the Commonwealth Campuses while providing opportunities for growth and development to students.
“Currently, we are collaborating with the College of the Liberal Arts to pilot a Transition Mentorship Program,” Shaffer said. “Students who have just transitioned will be paired with student mentors in the college. The mentors will be a direct resource and provide information regarding the college, club and organization membership and acclimating to State College.”
Taking initiative
Many colleges offer student support programs dedicated to helping commonwealth students with the transitioning process.
Jenneth R. Layaou, coordinator of campus enrollment and retention in the College of Agricultural Sciences, manages the college’s change-of-campus and transition process. Layaou visited 13 campuses with advisers from the college during the past spring semester and is planning to visit another 10 campuses this fall.