Transitioning to UMass Lowell

Whether your student is arriving straight from high school or transferring from another college, their first year at UMass Lowell is a time of major transition. They're adjusting to a new level of independence academically, socially and personally. 

Academic Expectations

Students quickly discover that college-level coursework or coursework at a new institution requires stronger critical-thinking, independence, and self-advocacy. Transfer students may also need to adjust to new academic policies, course sequences, and advising structures. Families can support by encouraging students to connect early with advisors, attend faculty office hours, and use academic resources like the Centers for Learning, Advising and Student Success.

Social Transition and Belonging

Every new student is building a sense of belonging. First-year students are forming friendships, exploring activities, and discovering campus life for the first time. Transfer students may be navigating how to integrate into an existing community. Encouraging involvement in clubs, campus events, living-learning communities, or social programs can help students make connections and feel at home at UMass Lowell.

Homesickness and Adjustment

It's normal for students to experience moments of homesickness or uncertainty, even if they've lived away from home before. Transfer students may also experience "transfer shock," a dip in confidence or comfort as they adjust to a new academic and social environment. Listening, validating their feelings, and reminding them that adjustment takes time can be incredibly grounding.

Time Management

Students juggle new schedules, heavier academic expectations, jobs, commuting or campus involvement. For many students, it’s their first time managing a schedule on their own. Families can help by encouraging their student to use planners, digital tools and campus resources to create routines that work for them.

Conversation Starters 

Here are some questions to help start a conversation with your student about their UMass Lowell experience.

Communication 

• How often do you want to talk or check-in? Who should contact whom? 
• What kind of things do you want to talk about? 
• What ways work best for us to communicate while you're at school? Text? Email? Phone call? Social media? 

Academics 

• Tell me about your advisor. 
• Have you received any emails from you advisor lately? 
• What about your classes are you most looking forward to? What are you most nervous about?
• How are you thinking college will be different than high school? 
• What resources are available to you? 
• What about starting at UMass Lowell are you most excited about?

Financial

• Will you grant us access to your account through USHARE? 
• What expectations do we have as a family when it comes to communicating about financial decisions? 
• Will you have a credit card? What are the expectations?
• Will you work? If so, how many hours per week? How will you balance your job with your schoolwork? 

Getting Involved 

• What are your interests? What kind of clubs or activities do you think you'd like to get involved in? 
• Who might be able to help you get involved? 

Health and Wellness

• Do you know how to contact Health Services on campus? How do you feel about making your own appointments? 
• If you need to access care off campus, how will you get to Urgent Care? 
• How will you be sure to get enough sleep? 
• What pharmacy will you use if you need to get a prescription filled? How will you get there? 
• I know we're excited about the start of school, but before it begins, is there anything you're worried about that you'd like to talk about? 
• How do you feel about seeking mental health support should you find yourself wanting to talk to someone or needing help?