But I Was So Successful in High School!
It’s a few weeks into your first semester of college and you may feel like you weren’t meant for college after all. It’s hard, your first exams didn’t turn out like you expected, and you feel lost. It’s normal. I promise. No matter how prepared you thought you were, the transition from high school to college takes many students by surprise. Here are some things you are likely experiencing:
Classes and study time
Freshman classes are huge and can be impersonal. Your actual time in class is only 12 to 16 hours, outside of that is your responsibility. Your schedule will look much lighter than it actually is. It is common to devote 2 to 3 hours of outside study for every hour of class, more than you probably did in high school. You are expected to find out things out on your own as professors don’t remind you assignments are due.. Study time now needs to be more efficient and planned out and you are required to do more than you ever imagined.
Testing, grades, and feedback
Your exams generally cover larger amounts of material that you must organize yourself. There may be as few as two exams in a semester that most of your grade hinges upon. You may not receive a grade for every piece of work and extra credit isn’t always offered. The breadth and depth of the first exam content and value to your overall grade may have shocked you.
Distractions and freedom
Your living arrangements are likely much more social than you experienced in high school. It’s hard to say no to every invitation that comes to your door. With little to no accountability, these temptations can be very difficult to resist. Distractions include roommates, phone, internet, TV, college events, and more.
So what do I do???
It’s time to take personal responsibility for your own education, as nothing is handed to you. Get to know your professors, they are an invaluable resource. Be proactive and assertive by seeking out your support systems and advocating for yourself. Take full control of your time. Planning is the key to getting work done and making room for everything else that the college experience offers. Lean on your parents during homesickness, and lean on university services or an Academic Life Coach for stress and overwhelm.
You deserve a great college experience. But it requires a lot of effort on your part to make that happen. It’s time to learn new time management and study skills beyond what you did in high school. Give yourself every tool possible so you can be successful and enjoy it!