Tips when beginning college

[Mayleng]

Found the article which might be useful for some.

The Transition to College

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Whether you are beginning college directly after high school, are leaving a full-time job to pursue an education, or are working and attending college at the same time, you will face some adjustments during your first semester here. Students in two freshman level courses were asked to describe the transitional issues they faced in their first semest er and to give advice to incoming students. Here's a sample of what they had to say.

Top Ten Issues Identified by Students
(in order of importance)

Personal responsibility "In college you have freedom to do as you please...to go where you wish...to do as you wish. Unfortunately, this freedom is easily abused. The student carries 98% of the responsibility and control."

Class attendance "As a college student, you will decide whether you want to go to class or not. Being absent will hurt you in the long run."

Teacher attitudes "Your instructors will not hound you to do your work. It's entirely up to you."
"Get to know your teachers. If your teachers know you, it will be easier for them to look out for you and help you if you're having trouble."

Types of assignments "In high school we were given a homework assignment every day. Now we have a large task assigned to be done at a certain time. No one tells when to start or what to do each day. Once you get an assignment, start working on it right away. It takes a daily effort to keep up."

Importance of performance "Don't take your courses or studies lightly. The decisions you make in college will decide your future, in some respects. Remember that you are here for an education."

Time management "The amount of free time you have in college is much more than in high school. Always have a weekly study schedule to go by. Otherwise, time slips away and you will not be able to account for it."

Amount of study "In high school I was a B student with out studying. In college I was a C/D student without studying. To succeed, you have to study!"

Size of institution/classes "Lecture classes are much larger than high school classes. This can be scary for a new student."

Difficulty of college work "College is probably going to be tougher than high school. Don't let that stop you!"

Social life "Sometimes it seems harder to make friends because of the size of the school. But there are a variety of organizations and activities. Get involved and meet the people!"


Thanks to Jane Rhoads and her College Reading & Study Skills classes for this information.

[empeg1]

The move to college is hard. The student is leaving home, taking sole responsiblity for his/herself for the first time, facing new and different courses, facing temptations in a new way, etc. For those who have seniors or juniors in HS, consider that your son or daughter may do better in a smaller school. Also consider that some schools have one month to 6 week orientation programs for freshman, before the term starts, a wonderful way to make a transition. Then too, consider that some of our children mature a bit later. A gap year, spent working, is often a good choice to consider as well.

[bros]

My College Success Seminar course was 10 weeks.