The transition from high school to college is overwhelming for many. It includes ample changes, sometimes but not always involving: a new living space, a new school environment, new structure and rules, more autonomy, and so on. Read on to learn 10 tips and tricks to help you ease into college.
To the recent high school graduates who are preparing for their next step into college, this is for you. First of all, congratulations! You have just completed nearly 13 years of school-go ahead and take a moment to look back on the massive amounts of accomplishments that you have obtained. Now that high school has ended, you’ll be leaving behind a sense of safety and belonging to a place you have known for 4 years.
College is a new territory that includes living in a dorm with a roommate or two, a higher level of independence and autonomy, and ways to reinvent yourself and embrace new opportunities. College courses are more demanding as professors expect you to take more responsibility in learning. The social relationships that you will build may also be overwhelming simply because there will be newer people in every class and activity. The transition from high school to college can feel like a massive leap, therefore, it is totally normal to have a mix of emotions throughout this transition. Which is why I want to validate these feelings while also explaining how college can be so different, in the most positive way possible. Spend as much time with friends and family as you can before heading off to college in the fall, and here are 10 tips and tricks to making the transition into college less daunting:
1- Communicate early: Reach out to your roommate(s) before move-in day and discuss how you like to live.
2- Set boundaries: When it comes to living with someone else, it’s important to respect each others’ space and habits. Talk about things like sharing food, having friends over, study schedules, and expectations for virtual classes.
P3- ut yourself out there: Join dorm activities or clubs, they’re a great way to meet new people and feel more connected. Your options are endless; sports teams or intramural, volunteering groups, greek life and/or philanthropy work. In addition, the more you get involved in your new environment, the quicker it will start to feel like home.
4- Stay organized: Get a planner or utilize a digital calendar to keep track of assignments, exams, and important due dates. Research the Pomodoro Technique to help with time management of homework and the Eisenhower Matrix to better prioritize your to-do list.
5- Attend classes: The difference between high school classes and college classes is you get to choose which days and times you’d prefer to take a class. Yes that’s right I said YOU can choose. You have the choice to take 8am courses, you also have the choice to never start your day before 10am. You can choose to schedule courses back to back, have your afternoon open to prioritize self-care and completing homework assignments, or you can jam pack all your classes Monday through Thursday and never take classes on Fridays; giving yourself a three day weekend. It is still important to attend courses in college, as you are paying for them, but you can accommodate your schedule to be more manageable and engaging to make the best of your experience.
6- Connection: Ask for help and don’t be afraid to reach out to professors during office hours or join study groups with classmates. Stay connected with family and friends from home through phone calls, Facetime, or texting every now and then.
7- Be open and approachable: Be open to having conversations with others and allow yourself to be approachable with an “open door policy” where if you are in your dorm room (not needing to focus on studying or homework) keep your door open for a few hours and see who stops by to say “hi.” It’s the best way to get to know your hall mates and most often others will also have their doors open where you can start conversations as well.
8- Balance: It’s important to have fun and make memories. But don’t let social activities derail your academic goals. A great way to ensure you can fit everything into your daily schedule is to write out each hour of your day from when you wake up until you start getting ready for bed. From there, you can start filling in your day with studying, completing homework, and connecting socially.
9- Create positivity and safety: Implement a comfort zone by bringing items from home that make you feel comfortable, like photos, blankets, or your favorite snacks. Be kind to yourself, it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. No one expects you to have your first year of college figured out right away. Keep a positive attitude and be open-minded. College is a time for growth, learning, and making memories.
10- Take breaks: College life can be intense. Make sure you’re taking time to relax and recharge. Prioritize time for rest, eating three full meals a day, and time outside breathing in the fresh air.
