The transition between high school to college can be tough for some, but let's face it, we have all heard the same advice over and over again for years. It's time to be completely honest with each other.
1. Get ready before you arrive on campus.
Moving from high school to college can be a big transition for students. If you’re stressing over this new life chapter, try bringing items to school that remind you of home: your guitar; a rock from outside your house; your mother, so she can keep cleaning for you; and all your high school yearbooks so you show them off to all the people who have no interest in seeing them.
2. Read as much as possible.
College coursework consists of substantially more reading than is required in high school. Learning how to skim SparkNotes will help you cope with the increased course load. You can pretty much get through most of your classes using Wikipedia, so don’t stress the big stuff.
3. Grow your technical skills.
Becoming comfortable with technology is an essential part of college
readiness. Make sure to bring your laptop, cellphone, headphones, TV monitor,
PlayStation, Xbox, your new VR set, a camera and
video camera, an electric blanket, a Segway, an electric scooter, an LED
umbrella and a robot to clean for you for when your mom can't make it up.
4. Polish your social, people, and soft skills.
College pushes students to develop strong communication skills, especially at house parties when you must convince law enforcement you’re sober. From group projects to communicating with professors and drug dealers, the ability to convey ideas clearly and work collaboratively will serve students well.
5. Weigh getting a job freshman year.
College is expensive, and costs go beyond tuition and fees. Day-to-day expenses like eating out, commuting and alcoholic beverages make up a significant chunk of a student’s college budget. A part-time job can alleviate budget strains, but take away time from classes. A solution to this would to be self-employed, consider selling your Adderall prescription to your dorm-mates to make some extra cash.
6. Know how to stay safe on campus.
Whether walking back from a late-night class or blacked out from a rager, it’s important for students to feel safe at college. Practice martial arts, such as the “ground and pound,” and learn how your college handles safety issues. Know that you will become very familiar with the campus safety resources and procedure when they bust down your dorm door looking for drugs, so you don’t have to worry too much about it until it is happening.
7. Contact professors before classes start.
Cultivating a strong relationship with professors can go a long way in helping students succeed. Once you have selected your classes, research your professors as much as possible, try meeting up before classes start or see how long you can follow them for at a safe distance. Learn from past students how they grade, their favorite food, where they live, what kind of hand soap they use, and how often they lock their doors. Make sure to be respectful and mature when they catch you rummaging through their garbage at night; professionalism is important with professors and other academic staff
8. Make the most of orientation activities.
Orientation is a great way for students to make friends and get acclimated. Ask plenty of questions like “Where is a good place to hide a body on campus?” and “Which rooms in the library are most sound-proof?” Realize that during orientation everyone is trying to make friends, so don’t get too attached to anyone as you probably won’t see them when school starts.
9. Research ways to get involved.
College provides many opportunities for students to explore existing interest or embark on new hobbies. The reality is that you will probably keep doing the same stuff you did in high school. College is pretty much high school but it’s a lot harder to meet friends and hang out with people, so make sure to choose your friends wisely the first year because you will be stuck with them for the next four years.
10. Know where to go for academic help.
Many colleges have offices for academic advising. These advisers are great! They usually can set you on a four-year track to graduate and then find a flaw your last year they so conveniently missed that will set you back another quarter or two. So, have your shit together and trust no one.
Hopefully this advice will set you on the right track for your college years... Or at least get you pointed in the right direction.
