Madison Schlichte 
By Madison Schlichte, Zatoria Thompson and Matthew Emmanuel
OCT 17, 2018
Transitioning from high school to college is definitely one of the most difficult life changes. Arriving at a huge campus, leaving family behind, not knowing anyone, and facing difficult classes combine to make this new chapter of life very challenging. Although it may be scary and nerve racking, a new adventure awaits.
It all begins with setting up the dorm room, meeting the roommates, and getting quickly accustomed to different surroundings. One of the ways that college life is very different from high school is that students have to budget their money and organize their own meals. Despite the wide variety of dining options, it may be difficult for some students to get used to eating with strangers rather than family. On the Collegeboard.org site freshman Breanna explains, “Usually on the weekends, we get together and cook dinner because eating out in the city is expensive. We make a lot of extra food so we all have leftovers throughout the week.” She also describes some favorite pastimes. “Other regular activities we do together include going to concerts, plays and poetry readings”. College students have to use their best judgement about what they should do, without the benefit of parental guidance. The experience of suddenly living on their own can inspire students to become independent adults.
Another notable change in the transition from high school to college is the academic perspective. According to an article written by Dr.Drew C. Appleby, the coursework in college is much harder than it is in high school. Most college courses are self-regulated, compared to high school courses where teachers monitor every step of a student’s progress. Unlike high school teachers, college professors will not interrupt their lectures to assist a student who is falling behind. Professors have office hours during which time students can ask questions about their courses. University courses are much more rigorous, and students need to take the initiative to create their own methods for absorbing the information. For example, joining a study group is one option that will make the coursework less overwhelming.
According to the STEPP Program, note-taking is crucial for college students, since courses are usually lecture-based. College students have to grasp the key points of the lectures and then jot them into their notebooks or digital devices. In high school, teachers provide the notes on a powerpoint which is presented to the class. The students usually copy this information directly from the presentation into their notes. If college students kick back and don’t pay attention during class, it is not a professor’s responsibility to make sure that they are on task. However, it is in a student’s best interest to remain attentive because snoozing during a college lecture would be a major setback to academic performance.
There may be many roadblocks experienced in college. As long as dedication and the will to work hard is in the mind of upcoming college students, the reality of college won’t be as stressful. The college experience will be filled with many learning experiences, and lots of fun, and eventually the students will reap what they sow.
