Transitioning from school to college

Transitioning from school to college is a big step in life.  It’s a time where you are leaving what is familiar to you and moving onto a new stage in life that is completely new and exciting.  Although sometimes the transition from school to college can be seen as a difficult or nerve-wracking one, but it doesn’t have to be.  Below you can find some advice for dealing with the transition from school to college.

It’s okay to be anxious and nervous

It is completely understandable and justifiable if you feel anxious and/or nervous going into your first year of college. The majority of you have spent the past 18 years in the comfort of your own home with your family and have had the same friends for quite some time. So it is definitely hard to leave all of that behind and go to a completely new and unfamiliar place.  

Keep in mind though that although going to college might seem scary and rather mysterious at first, you will eventually settle into things, make new friends, and become familiar with the campus and how things work.  

Know that it may be hard the first couple of weeks

The first couple of weeks of college can be extremely busy.  Its often filled with trying to meet new friends, figuring out your classes and schedule, learning your way around campus, missing home, and so on.  Know that doing all of these things come with time, so don’t feel the need to rush the process of becoming acclimated. Also know that you are definitely not alone in this experience, there are many people around you who are going through similar experiences.

Join clubs 

One of the best way to meet people, is by joining clubs or societies that are of interest to you. Not only will you meet so many people this way, but you will also meet people who have similar interests to you as well.  

Get organised

This is by far one of the most important tips when it comes to transitioning from school to college. One of the major differences between school and college is that professors will not constantly remind you when things are due. Professors expect that you are able to keep up with all the information that they have given to you on your own, and also trust that you will get it done on time. So in order to keep up with deadlines and due dates it is a great idea to get organized, whether that be by printing out your class syllabus or getting an agenda and writing down all of your due dates. Being organized will not only help you to remember important deadlines but it will also lessen some of the stress you might encounter in the future, since you are preapred and know when assignments are due. 

Take care of yourself

Don’t forget to take care of your body, so in other words be sure to eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep. Without these three things your body will not be able to function at its full potential, and therefore can possibly make the process of getting acclimated to your new college life much more harder. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, no one will pick on you if you ask for help. If you need help don’t be afraid to ask your professors, other faculty members, and other students. Most of the time they are always more than willing to help answer your questions.

Be responsible

Know that you are about to take on a load of responsibility when it comes to transitioning from school to college. You are now on your own time, and are in charge of making sure that you are healthy and happy. In addition to being responsible and taking care of yourself, you also need to be responsible and know what is expected of you when it comes to your classes and school in general.  

Maintain the balance

Don’t forget that you are in college to study and eventually receive a degree.But also don’t forget to have a little fun while you’re at it- after all you hear over and over again that “the college years are some of the best years of your life.” Just keep in mind that there should always be a nice balance between studying and having fun.  

Don’t be afraid to try new things

College campuses are full of so many new and exciting things that you can do, so if something sparks your interest don’t be afraid to go and try it. Trying new things could help you realise your passion for what you want to do later in life, and who knows it could also lead you to meeting some of your best friends as well.