The transition from high school to college is a very exciting time for seniors. You are about to embark on a journey that will prepare you for life. However, this transition can also be daunting. Leaving home and adapting to your new life on campus can be overwhelming. You can ensure you have a smooth transition by taking responsibility for yourself, using the many resources at your disposal, and getting involved on campus.
Take responsibility for yourself. For many people, college is their first time living away from home. It’s a time of firsts for everyone: first time doing your laundry, first time managing your finances, and first time setting your own schedule, just to name a few. Establishing good habits and holding yourself accountable will be vital to your success. You’ll have a lot of time but also a lot of things you’ll have to and want to do. Create a balanced schedule around your classes with time set aside for schoolwork, extracurriculars, laundry, and other dorm chores. It is also important to take time to care for your mental and physical well-being. The campus recreation center is a great place to swim, lift, or meet friends for a group fitness class. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep and take time for yourself. College professors’ expectations are different from those of high school teachers. Not all of them will take attendance, remind you of upcoming deadlines, or have conversations about grades. It’s your responsibility to go to class, take note of important dates on the syllabus, and seek out help when you need it.
Utilize campus resources. Some people arrive on campus and realize that they didn’t establish good study habits in high school. They struggle in subject areas they excelled in at high school. Find the tutoring center at your college and familiarize yourself with the resources before you really need them. In addition to tutoring, most colleges offer academic coaching. Academic coaches work with students to develop study and note taking skills, work on time management, set goals, and navigate the overall college experience. These resources are free to use, so be sure to take advantage of them.
Join a club on campus. Whether you’re from a big city nearby or a small town far away, you may find yourself homesick or anxious about fitting in. Joining a club or organization at your new school is great way to make friends and make campus feel like home. Auburn has over 500 student organizations on campus, so it’s only a matter of finding the right fit for you. There are service-oriented clubs where you can make an impact in the community, professional organizations where you can meet students and faculty in your major, club sports, religious organizations. . . The opportunities are endless! You can browse clubs and organizations at AUinvolve to see what all Auburn has to offer. While getting involved in something that you’re familiar with is a great way to bring continuity to your time at college, try something new, too!
Self discipline, academic resources, and campus organizations. Hopefully these three tips will help you prepare for your freshman year. Camp War Eagle, Auburn’s summer orientation program, introduces first-year students to campus and prepares them for college expectations. Don’t let the high school-college transition prevent you from enjoying your senior year! Finish the year strong and reach out to your admissions advisor if you have have questions about moving from high school to college.