Becoming a high school freshman can be an exciting time for some, yet stressful for others. However, four years later, most young adults will have to go through it all over again in a new setting. Most students will become roommates with someone they truly get along with and relate to. The idea of rooming with someone may make some fearful, although, it is definitely a good way to get to know more people and to get more comfortable within the school. In addition to being on their own (other than having their roommate), they suddenly have more responsibility and must be ready for new challenges if they are to be successful.

Once a person reaches the age of around eighteen years old, they have decided what they want to do with their lives, what type of career they wish to pursue, and where they want to go to college. This is all part of preparing for what will be both a very exciting and rewarding four years ahead of them.

An eighth grader’s transition to their freshman year in high school can definitely be intimidating. Although, a graduating high school senior’s transition to their freshman year in college gives the word “intimidating” a whole new meaning.

During the Summer going into a new school (year), there are many different things a student can, and likely will worry about. In the duration of those two months of Summer, they are preparing themselves for a bigger school, more people, more homework and harder classes. This goes for both high school and college, however, there is a lot more to be concerned about while going into college.

Not only are these students transferring to a brand new school containing more diversity, hundreds or even thousands of new people from all around the country whom they do not know, but they are moving away from their home; moving away from their family.

The horror of not knowing anyone in this new setting also brings the fear of living with someone other than family from back home. Roommates are a requirement and it is definitely not a bad idea. Yes, some may end up with their worst nightmare, (meaning someone not relating to them in any way at all or not getting along with each other in that matter.)

However, laundry will not clean or be folded/put away by itself. Parents/guardians will not be there to help their children keep up with their grades, to wake them up to get to class on time or to hound them to get their homework/projects complete on time either. They are on their own. This requires more responsibility to staying organized, clean, and to live a healthy lifestyle. They will also have to realize that they now need to fend for themselves.

Money, will not be easily handed to anyone just like that. While away at school, students will have to keep themselves busy. Working a couple of shifts a week will not hurt them. Food, entertainment (depending on what they choose to do), textbooks, tuition, etc., all have to be paid for somehow, and they will not have anyone from home to help pay for everything. Therefore, all students must plan on getting a paying job, preferably on campus if they do not have any way of transportation. It will truly help in the long run.

High school is definitely no match for college. However, all students in college, no matter what grade they are in, will go through the same sort of situation each year. Now, graduating Seniors of high school will rewind four long years and start the next chapter of their lives. The wonderful world of college. This is a wake up call coming from the next chapter of students’ lives. Good luck to all.