The Transition
to College
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.
