Making the Transition from High School to College
Most students are excited about being on their own as they get ready for college. And along with the excitement, they sometimes feel anxious about the uncertainties they face.
When students deal with some of their uncertainties before attending college, they make a smoother adjustment. They also have more fun during their freshman year and accomplish their goals as well.
Making the grade
Most soon-to-be freshmen wonder if they will be able to handle college courses. Almost from the beginning of high school, teachers and parents stress that college work is more challenging.
One of the reasons freshmen may find college classes more challenging is that or the first time the responsibility for learning rests entirely on the student.
The work in college is more demanding than high school, but it is also more interesting. Succeeding under new and challenging circumstances offers an excellent opportunity for personal growth. Outside of classes, students also have a chance to take part in unique extracurricular activities and meaningful work experiences.
Just because college offers more challenges than high school doesn't mean students can't be successful. Take the following steps to help make the adjustment easier:
Form study groups that meet regularly for each of the most difficult classes.
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Read all assigned material.
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Schedule additional time to study alone.
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Break work into sections and weekly deadlines.
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Use the library.
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Talk with professors and/or teaching assistants and attend office hours or schedule appointments to talk about assignments or ask questions.
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Go to the campus learning center where tutors can help with most subject areas.
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Show an interest in classes by asking questions either during or after class.
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Maintain a weekly planner to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
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Seek out mentors such as older students, faculty, employers or relatives and listen to what they have to offer.
Emotional adjustment
Although not all students have trouble making the emotional adjustment to being away from home for the first time, many students do. Students are more apt to have adjustment problems if they:
- fail to get enough sleep.
- get behind in their class work.
- don't eat a balanced diet.
- worry too much about grades.
- are afraid to make new friends.
- don't get help when they need it.
The student who feels homesick, has trouble with school work or has other serious problems should not let the issues go on for a long period of time without seeking assistance or talking to someone.
One of the best remedies is to talk with friends and get their opinion on how to handle the situation. Also, students should call home and discuss the problems with their family.
On many campuses, students have counseling centers that offer services. Other campuses offer counseling services at the health center. Check with your school to discover your options.
Residence halls on all campuses have resident assistants who are trained to help with problems.
Meeting people and making friends
During freshman orientation most colleges make a special effort to help students feel at home. In spite of the welcome, new students often feel awkward at first when trying to meet people.
New students should consider joining one or two groups chosen from the following list:
If you appear friendly and approachable, people are more likely to respond positively. Students who walk with their head up and greet people appear to be friendly.
Freshmen often try to stay with the same friends they meet during orientation or during the first week of school. The student who is open-minded will have opportunities to meet many interesting people and build friendships that will last a lifetime.
Living on a college campus provides an opportunity to become friends with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, to learn about the world, and to appreciate differences among people. This experience is an important part of a student's education.
Choosing a roommate
Colleges offer several rooming accommodations. A student who has not made the decision whether to live alone or with a roommate should consider some of the advantages to both.
Without a roommate a student can set their own schedule. The single student doesn't wake up to a roommate's alarm clock or hair dryer and doesn't have to worry about waking someone late at night. Music choice and volume isn't an issue. Neither is a messy or neat room.
On the other hand, roommates have a chance to form a special friendship. They have someone to share their joys, fears and frustrations. They also can share the expense and the fun of making the room a special place to live.
Roommates can also remind one another of deadlines, take messages for each other and be a good listener when one is needed. Roommates can also introduce each other to people they know.
Freshman don't always have a choice to live alone or with a roommate, so it's important for students to stay flexible.