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Embarking on a successful transition from high school to college challenges students both academically and socially. For many students this is a unique first endeavor into real independence. While most students welcome and meet the challenge of transitioning from high school to college, other students struggle adapt to this new educational setting.

To help create a smooth transition from high school to college, there are several tips that will increase the likelihood that students will look back on this period as time of confident awakening to this new passage in life.

Get involved early

One of the best ways to make college a positive experience is to become involved in the campus experience as soon as possible. Most dorms provide many introduction activities for the first week of school. Take in as many of these activities as possible. Don't be shy about talking to people. This is not the time to sit quietly in the dorm room reading a book. Developing friends will make the college experience more comfortable and this confidence will carry through into the classroom.

Join clubs and organizations

Another fantastic way to make friends and develop a positive feeling toward the college experience is to join a campus organization. The number of these clubs on campus is only limited by a person's imagination. It could be the chess club or inter-campus volleyball teams. Make the commitment to join one organization because this is a great way to meet people the student has something in common with. In turn these students may end up being in classes together and then they reinforce each other academically.

Talk to the professor

One adjustment that is often difficult for new college students is the large lecture class sizes that are frequently the norm on campus. Sitting in a class of 300 is a shock compared to a high school class of 25-30. It may as a result feel like the teacher will not have a personal relationship with the student. It is important for the student to foster this relationship by talking to the professor and not sitting in the back of the room to doze. Sit up front, contribute to class, and talk to the professor. This can really help when the time comes when an assignment becomes difficult to understand.

Attend class

Don't be fooled into thinking that skipping class will go un-noticed. Many college classes have attendance connected to grades. Deductions are made for each absence over the grace number or daily quizzes or check in with

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