The leap from high school to college can be exciting, but also overwhelming for some students. This is because, along with college life will come more independence, but there will also be significantly more responsibilities than students may be used to at home. In order to have a smooth college transition, students may keep these simple tips for transition from school to college in mind.
Get and Stay Organized
Once you move on campus, your lifestyle is going to change significantly. Instead of a solid block of classes from 8am – 3pm each day, your schedule will vary day-by-day and will be spread out over a number of locations on campus, rather than just one building like most high schools. So, it is important to get and stay organized as soon as you arrive on campus so that you are able to effectively manage your schedule and responsibilities.
Manage Your Time Effectively
At college, you will be living on your own. While dormitory life might be fun, you will not have your mother and father checking up on you every morning to make sure you are awake and out the door on time for school. Hopefully, during high school you were able to instill some good time management habits, but, if not, now is the time to practice. Set alarms to ensure you are awake early enough to get ready for class and arrive on time. Stay on top of your assignments using an organization strategy and build upon that by scheduling study times for upcoming exams or set aside a block of time each week to work on a long-term project. Don’t let procrastination creep into your daily life.
Learn Conflict Resolution Strategies
With college life comes many more opportunities to meet and work with new people, which can be exciting but also uncharted territory. Especially when it comes to dorm living, sharing a room or common space with someone new can be a challenge. Learn some simple conflict resolution strategies to employ should you have a disagreement with a roommate, professor, group project member, or anyone else you’ll encounter on campus. Learning how to diffuse uncomfortable situations and talk through issues with others you encounter during your time in college will make for a more positive experience and will serve you well after graduation and in the workforce.
Create and Stick to a Budget
For many students, this will be their first time they are living on their own and completely managing their own finances. Before you leave for college, sit down and make a budget that covers everything outside tuition and room and board like food, supplies, entertainment, gas, and more. Set clear budget restrictions and make sure you know how you plan to cover these extra expenses.
Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Adjusting to a completely new city and/or lifestyle can be challenging, especially if you are finding it hard to resolve any issues on your own. So, don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it. Many college campuses have a number of resources for students, especially first-year students. Do some research to see what student services your schools offer, including academic help, mental health and counseling services, or just guidance on how to get more involved on campus if you feel like you are not getting the most out of your experience.
If followed in letter and spirit, these simple tips for transition from school to college will surely help you in a big way.