A new phase of life

College is an exciting time of life, as people discover new ideas, career paths, and significant relationships. The college years are some of the more memorable times in many people's lives, but the reality is that many people do not make it past the first semester. It is not usually the intent of the student to fail, but there are also decisions that make it very difficult for people to succeed. There are various techniques and strategies for college success that will help the aspiring learner meet their goals. Here are a few thoughts on key academic transitions and success tips that will help students move from high school to college.

Pace

One of the first things that students have to realize is that the pace of college is much quicker than what they experienced in high school. Therefore, students have to be ready to "hit the ground running" and not assume that they can put forth the same effort as they did in high school and still succeed. Cramming at the end of the quarter is not the same in college, so students should use their free time to study, start papers and projects, and stay "ahead of the curve." Unfortunately, plenty of students are told this by a variety of people, but they either don't believe what they are told or they assume that they will not be the one's who actually struggle.

Schedule

Another key component of college is the schedule. Unfortunately, the first glance at the college schedule can give the student the impression that they have lots of free time. Instead of going to school every day from early morning until afternoon, they might have classes scattered throughout the week. Unfortunately, the free slots are intended for serious studying. This relates to the issue of academic rigor, because naive students may assume that they can fill the free time with leisure activities rather than hitting the books early.

Distraction

Friends are a key component of college enjoyment, and extra-curricular activities can make the college experience extremely memorable. Still, students can easily become immersed in Greek systems, clubs, and sports teams, to the point where they neglect their studies. The obvious advice is for students to find "balance" between academics and activities, but unfortunately the college student may have a sense of invincibility. This is why they wait to start their homework until late at night, party until all hours of the evening, and then try to get up for class the next day and still focus. Again, some students can strike a balance while others party themselves straight out of school.

Help

In many ways, success in college is about having a certain level of humility. When students get behind, they may assume that they will be able to "pull it out" since they have done it in the past. The reality is that getting behind can be deadly in college. Because of this, college students should seek help at the first sign of trouble. Many schools provide tutors, study groups, and a variety of online resources to help their students.

A fresh start

Overall, the student who wants to succeed in college will prepare themselves to work hard, stay focused, get help when they need it, and maintain a strong sense of their goals. Students can have some fun, but they have to remember that this is the time in life where they should be developing those habits that will serve them for the rest of their lives. The habits that students form during college will often be carried into their professional life. Therefore, transitioning well into college may be crucial to future success.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about From high school to college: Key academic transitions and success tips?
We want to hear your view. Write now!