Transferring from OCCC to a university can result in culture shock at first, said Linda Little, coordinator of transfer and academic advising.

It is very common for the GPA of students transferring to a four year college to drop the first semester, Little said.

“There are a lot of things to adjust to.”

The culture, the environment, and the expectations may be a different.

“In some ways it is a little bit like starting over again,” Little said.

OCCC pre-engineering graduate Oussama Zouaoui said he understands exactly what Little is talking about – because it happened to him when he transferred to the University of Oklahoma.

“My first semester was hard at OU,” Zouaoui said. “I didn’t know where to go or what to do.”

Zouaoui, an engineering major, graduated OCCC with a 3.7 GPA. His grades dropped in his first semester at OU.

“I had to quit my job to keep up with the homework.” he said.

“I did not expect it was going to be that overwhelming.”

Little said this pattern holds true across the nation.

However, she added, students tend to do better if they wait until they graduate community college and then transfer.

Common mistakes transfer students make are transferring too early, changing majors quite often, and not knowing where they plan to transfer to.

“Students should stay on track and stick with their degree plan,” Little said.

“It’s all about planning.”

The advising department is the number one place students should go for help.

“We can make sure we keep students on track with their degree plan, wherever they’re planning on going,” Little said.

OCCC graduates transferring to OU and the University of Central Oklahoma, in particular, should have a smooth transition.

“We have an articulation with these two universities, so all of our credits are transferrable,” Little said.

Zouaoui said that was true in his case.

“I was very happy when all my credits were accepted at OU,” Zouaoui said.

He advises students to be patient the first semester they transfer.

“Everything gets easier once the transferred students get involved with the new environment,” he said.

OCCC students planning to transfer are encouraged to start planning now. For more information on transferring or assistance, call 405-682-7567 or stop by the Transfer Center kiosk in the Main Building located by the office of Academic Advising.

To contact Soufian Faiz, email onlineeditor@occc.edu.