Transfer and graduate students represent a large portion of Tech's new student population. They are a great addition to campus and bring a unique perspective to the community.
With the start of a new academic year, it is important to remember that even though these students have past college experience, they may be nervous about their first year on campus.
Fortunately, students at Tech are happy to share their wisdom, and listening to their recommendations will make the first year as a transfer or graduate student a breeze. Welcome, new Yellow Jackets!
Incoming graduate and transfer students may not have as extensive an orientation as first-year students, but there are still several events for them at the beginning of the semester.
For graduate students, Orientation and GradExpo help new students transition to life on campus. Orientation sessions are approximately one hour and take place both in person and online in August. GradExpo will be held on Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall. Graduate students will also be welcomed to campus as Graduate Student Welcome and Fall Picnic returns on Friday, Aug. 23. Connect with peers, enjoy free food and games, and learn Tech traditions.
For transfer students, consider GT 2000, a one-hour seminar course similar to what's designed for first-year students. Take a look at other transfer student resources.
A few other bits of advice:
Connect with other students.
Graduate students may find it difficult to identify and schedule time for extracurricular activities, but many campus organizations are open and welcoming to them.
Student groups set up tables early in the semester to recruit new members, so keep an eye out for tables, flyers, emails, and events. Graduate students can also use Tech’s Engage page for more information about active campus organizations.
The Office of Graduate Education also organizes GT6000, a small-group, peer-led, extended-orientation program for first-semester graduate students.
Transfer students can search Tech's hundreds of student groups on Engage with their Georgia Tech login. The Transfer Student Association may be a great place to start.
Don't let the workload overwhelm you.
Georgia Tech can be intense, but the benefits of being a Tech graduate are extensive. It’s important, though, to make time for yourself.
Fortunately, Atlanta is a vibrant city that provides plenty of places for students to explore off-campus. From museums and live performances to hiking trails and outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone. Find time to step back, take your mind off your studies, and return to your work rejuvenated.
Seek help through academic coaching or tutoring if you aren't doing as well as you'd like. Professors and teaching assistants are also excellent sources of support.
Reach out to students ahead of you in your major. The Transfer Student Association offers this connection in the form of a mentor-mentee program. You can also find out who your advisor is here.
Prioritize your health.
Graduate students are usually comfortable cooking meals for themselves, but a busy schedule often means less time in the kitchen. It may be difficult to cook three meals every day, so luckily there are plenty of ways to make sure you’re meeting your nutritional needs on campus.
Many graduate students don’t use dining halls as frequently, so a full meal plan may not be necessary. But there are benefits to using Dining Dollars, which can be used at all dining halls and Georgia Tech Dining Services on-campus locations. When students deposit $400 or more into Dining Dollars, they get a 10% bonus, giving them a discount on food over time.
Dining Dollars can be loaded onto your BuzzCard at mealplan.gatech.edu. For more information on meal plans and dining locations, visit the Georgia Tech Dining Services website.
Remember that as a student you also have access to the Campus Recreation Center, and you can purchase a semester-long pass for group fitness classes. Group fitness classes are free Aug. 19 – 24.
Know that you belong.
From assisting with communication skills to health-related issues, Georgia Tech offers many resources to help students through their studies and careers. Learn more here.
Transfer and graduate students may also want to take a look at first-year survival tips, as many of those resources will be beneficial to those new to campus regardless of age.
LOCATIONS TO NOTE
1. Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons
The Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons includes lecture halls, labs, and desks and tables for studying; Kaldi's Coffee; and multiple printing locations.
2. Price Gilbert Library and Crosland Tower
Both Library buildings offer computers for student use, desks and tables for studying, and printing locations.
3. Dining Options
Dining halls include North Avenue and West Village. In Tech Square, there is more: Subway, Ray’s New York Pizza, Moe's, Tin Drum, Waffle House, and Gyro Bros. The John Lewis Student Center and Pavilions also have dining options, including Chick-fil-A, Blue Donkey Coffee, Jimmy John's, and Dunkin'.
4. John Lewis Student Center
The Student Center contains the Georgia Tech Post Office, ATMs, dining options, a computer lab, Tech Rec, Paper & Clay, and Under the Couch.
5. Residence Halls
6. Campus Recreation Center
The Campus Recreation Center contains hundreds of types of exercise equipment, a 50-meter competition pool, a running track, a rock climbing wall, Freshens Smoothies, indoor racquetball courts, and outdoor fields, and offers G.I.T. FIT classes.
7. Football Stadium, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Softball
8. Greek Houses
9. Stamps Health Services
Stamps Health Services is located in the Joseph B. Whitehead Building (Student Health Center), next to the CRC, and provides healthcare and health education to students. The services include primary care, pharmacy, women’s health, psychiatry, immunization and allergy, health promotion, sports medicine, and nutrition.
10. Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech
The Barnes & Noble in Tech Square serves as Georgia Tech’s bookstore and includes textbooks and supplies, Starbucks, the Green Goodbyes thrift shop, and a few desks and tables for studying.
