In discussing with students and parents the transition our recent graduates are making to university life in the coming months -- regardless of the context during the pandemic -- I find myself running through the same pieces of advice. There are some tried-and-true guidelines for successfully navigating the transition to university. Take a look!
Get to know your professors. Most of the teachers at the high schools where I have worked put in great efforts to get to know their students and to establish relationships with them. That may not necessarily be the case in college! I don’t want to cast a negative light on university professors, but it is worth considering that they see you not as a kid but at a burgeoning adult, and, as such, they have adult-like expectations of you. The result is that you need to put in the time and effort to get to know them. This will make your efforts and experiences more meaningful in the long-run. Introduce yourself. Make it a goal for them to know you by name, first and last. Schedule appointments to review challenging material. Attend office hours. Make the connection!
Find the careers office. In the first month of being in school, make a pointed effort to visit or make an appointment with the careers office. Different universities offer different services, and your goal is to learn what yours offers! They can help with a wide variety of support services from writing and reviewing resumes and cover letters to interview preparation, and they also can offer career guidance and even facilitate job and internship opportunities. You are expending a lot of resources on this institution, so be sure you are making the most of it!
Try something new. Broadly speaking, get involved! Most universities will have an activities fair of some sort at the beginning of the year to allow students to learn about the different opportunities to become involved in the school community from clubs to sports to affinity groups to academic organizations and so on. You have a new opportunity to try something new here. Take advantage and explore!
Continue on with something you did in high school. Don’t lose grip of things that you did in high school that brought you pleasure or opportunities to interact with others. Whether that was band, Model UN, an academic group, or a study club, think about how you might continue on with some things.
Find your people. This piece can be hard as you reconcile a sense of yourself and who you want to be with the people you encounter. Keep trying to find people who challenge and support you. Go to events. Go to meetings. Attend performances. Get involved. This will not happen overnight, and it will not happen without your efforts.
Do the work. A lot of students who encounter difficulties in their academics report back simply that they did not do the work assigned to them. So, simply, do it! Do it all! You are paying for this. Get your money’s worth! Become familiar with the reserve section of the library where professors put additional materials for your benefit, but be sure to do the mandatory readings and work on time. If you struggled with this in high school or are anxious about this, find the teaching and learning center at your school to get some help starting off on the right foot!
Take care of yourself - mind, body, and soul! Many students who struggle do so because they do not take care of themselves. Aside from the academic work, be sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting some exercise. Moving from high school with required PE and sports can be challenging when you no longer have compulsory activity. The same is true with moving to the freedom and independence of not having a parent to tell you to go to bed at night or putting a balanced diet on the plate in front of you. Be thoughtful and caring of yourself. Also, be aware that this also extends to your spiritual and mental welfare. Find the local church or synagogue or mosque. Figure out what mental health supports are available.
Be positive… It is important that you move into this next chapter of your life with an open and positive mind. You will encounter new people, new perspectives, new experiences, and you need to open and welcoming to them.
… And be forgiving! At the same time, give yourself permission to make mistakes. This is how we learn. It will not always be easy, and you will not always do the right things, but you cannot beat yourself up over them. Be kind to yourself but learn the lessons!
Be safe. Finally, be safe. Take care of yourself and others. Consider the risks you take when you make decisions, and do not sacrifice or compromise on your own safety.
Let me know if you have any thoughts on any of these! If you are looking for some additional perspectives, consider this broader, life-oriented post. In the end, make the most of and enjoy your college experience. These tips will help you do just that!