Transitioning from high school to college can be tough. The academic system is vastly different, and college introduces a new wave of responsibilities that can be overwhelming for someone who has just finished high school. Knowing how to manage time properly is crucial to ensuring everything goes smoothly. As a college student, I have experienced the differences firsthand. In this article, I will review some general facts about the college system and offer tips to help new students do their best in this new stage of their lives. Three new areas of responsibility deserve your attention.
1. Communicate with your teachers.
High school and college are different, especially in the classroom dynamic. From kindergarten to Grade 12, the teacher must ensure students complete their work and participate in class. In college, the teachers are there to teach, and expect you to put in the effort without their assistance. After all, this is a class that you chose. If a student needs one-on-one time with the teacher, it is up to them to email and schedule a meeting, as they have many students they must attend to daily. Fortunately, I have had teachers who take some time to give feedback and motivation, but this is mostly because I asked them personally. So one word of advice, talk to your teachers. Ask them for criticism on assignments, suggestions for essays, etc. I have even asked my teachers for feedback on papers for other classes. They are glad to help, if you are on their good side, that is.
2. Keep up with your assignments.
Another factor that distinguishes college from high school is the type of work students are asked to complete for classes. In high school, teachers often give you a worksheet and tell you to complete it and give it to them by the end of the class. It is pretty simple and students will always know what needs to be done. During my years in college, I have only received worksheets from one class. In all the others, all the work can be found online and it is up to you to keep track of it. Because most of the work is to be completed at home, it is easy to forget and miss the deadline on assignments, especially if you are taking courses with a lot of homework. This is why time management is so important. Even something simple like setting a schedule will help tremendously in finishing homework on time stress-free. Setting time aside daily to complete your assignments will give you time for other things while also completing work on time.
3. Make good decisions when it comes to scheduling.
College gives students more flexibility in choosing their schedules and class times, which should be used to increase productivity. Everyone has personal duties to attend to, which is why class schedules are so important. I believe that sleep is a big motivation factor, and a good amount of sleep will help you perform better academically. This is why I try to book my classes in a way that will give me enough sleep every day.
The transition from high school to college presents students with a diverse set of challenges and new responsibilities. Understanding the differences between the two academic systems, such as teacher expectations and homework, will enable students to plan accordingly. Students should take initiative, communicate with professors, and utilize the flexible scheduling provided to create a balanced routine. With these strategies in place, transitioning to college will be smoother and stress-free.
Uthman Guadalupe is a Latino Muslim college student with a passion for history and art. He is an assistant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and freelance illustrator. He is fluent in Spanish and lives with his family in Maryland where he also enjoys playing video games and binging shows
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