Getting into a good college is a dream for every high school student. This is the phase when a student suddenly enters a place where there are endless avenues to think about and conquer in all fields to come on top. With college life comes more independence, but also significantly more responsibilities. Making the transition from high school to college can be exciting, but also overwhelming for some students. In this post, we will look at how to make college transition easier.
8 Tips for College Transition
1. Selecting the Right College
The most important step in achieving a smooth transition from high school to college is, of course, selecting the one that is right for you. While doing your own research, make sure that you enlist the help of the experienced counselors that your school provides – they will be able to help you explore all the options available to you, and not just opt for the obvious choices.
As well as guiding you towards the subjects which will make the most of your talents, and will also lead you to the most rewarding career paths, they have a wealth of knowledge based on the experience of ex-students. Apart from a school counselor, you could also work with independent college admission counselors.
It’s not only about what you study, though. Location is an important factor. While you are most likely excited at the prospect of living independently for the first time, be realistic about how far away you want to be from your family. Although we live in a highly-connected age and can keep in constant contact, how easy will it be to return home, at least in your fresher year?
Related Article: Independent College Admission Counselors vs Study Abroad Consultants
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2. Making the College Application Process Easier
Once you’ve selected the perfect college and the right course of study, you’re faced with a daunting application process. How can you make it easier? First of all, start with a clear understanding that it’s going to take time and some effort – so schedule this, and set yourself a reasonable deadline for completion.
Again there is no need to struggle with this alone. Your school counselors and independent college admission consultants can help you. For example, high schools in Utah and across the USA understand the need for guidance and support navigating the process, so provide the resources needed.
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3. Know Before You Go
To avoid any shocks or rude awakenings when you start your college life, do your research. Not only into the college itself, and your course of study, but also into the local area and the facilities.
Find alumni pages on social media, and join online student groups – they’re a great source of ‘real-life’ information that will go far beyond the glossy marketing brochures in letting you know what to expect. Also, check out the various university league tables – they can give a great insight into the strengths of your chosen institution, which in turn can help you target your application.
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4. Take any Courses which will Support Your Learning
Once your final high school term is over, it’s natural to want to just kick back and relax over the summer before heading to college. And while it will be great to enjoy your summer of freedom if you’re really serious about becoming a high-performer in college, it’s important to prepare yourself to get off to a flying start, so don’t switch off completely.
Have you been provided with a reading list? Get to work on it, even if the subject matter won’t be required immediately. Take your reading seriously, as if you were preparing for an exam – which in some ways, you are, even though it’s a long way off.
Another great way to spend your summer would be attending a relevant summer school program. Have a look at the following blogs:
Best Summer School Programs for High School Students in India
Best Summer School Programs in the US
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5. Develop Study Skills
Often it is not effort or intelligence that makes the difference between an average and an outstanding student. It is their study skills. At college, you’ll be expected to organize your work independently, so being able to schedule your studies effectively, and deliver to deadlines, will be critical.
You’ll need to be able to sift through mountains of information to find just what you need. You’ll need to structure your thoughts to construct logical arguments and coherent assignments. Overall, it’s as much about the effective study strategies you adopt as the work you put in.
Consider taking some short online courses over the summer – there are hundreds of free resources online. Edx and Coursera are great examples – there are literally hundreds of programs to choose from, often presented by leading universities such as Harvard and MIT. Read the best free online courses for high school students.
Either choose ones related directly to your subject (it is especially strong in terms of STEM offerings) or go for those which will help you to approach your studies more creatively and analytically – for example ‘Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving’ or the excellent ‘Science of Everyday Thinking’.
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6. Visit the Campus and Know Your Way Around
Although you may have already visited the college campus as part of your application process if at all possible, go back again before you start. Get to know the key locations – your accommodation, classrooms, lecture theatres, dining halls, and admin buildings. Work out how long it takes to get from one to another. This way, when you start, you won’t find yourself running late, lost, and panicking.
Also, take time to explore the local towns and facilities. Where are you going to spend your time off-campus? Once you get a feel for your new location, you’ll be much more confident about moving there and settling down.
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7. Ensure You Do the Orientation Programs
Finally, you’ve arrived! You’re well prepared and know the basics of how to get around. However, don’t neglect the freshers’ orientation sessions laid on by the university. They’re bound to highlight the facilities and activities you’ve missed. They’re also a great way to network with other newcomers, meet your professors and start the process of making a new circle of friends.
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8. Join the Fresher’s Groups
Every university has groups and clubs catering to special interests. Whether it’s public speaking or cheerleading, philately or football, you’ll find something that matches your interests. Join as many of these as you like – they’ll always welcome new members. They’re a great way to expand your network of social contacts as well as helping you to share your passion. At times when you just need to switch off from your studies, they can really provide a relaxing change of subject.
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We hope that these tips will help you make a smooth and successful transition from high school to college. You’ve reached an exciting milestone in your life, so make the most of it and take the first steps towards living your best life!
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