a clicker are common place. Many professors put items that they just talk about on the tests. The key to academic success is class attendance.

Develop a study buddy

One of the best things to do is to find someone in each class to buddy up with. This helps for studying for tests, reviewing materials, taking notes and discussing assignments. Students are far more successful in college if they are able to create a bond with other students in the classes.

Don't underestimate the reading

The amount of reading that college students are required to complete is significantly greater than high school students. This is a common place for college students to struggle because they think that it is like high school where there may be a test over each chapter. Now tests may be over 3-5 chapters over a significant amount of content. Budget time for studying a little at a time and always refer frequently to the syllabus.

Take care of health

New college students have a tendency to underestimate the toll that college life can take on health. Skipping meals and losing sleep often lead to vulnerable immune systems and a greater likelihood of becoming ill. These illnesses lead to missed classes and poorer quality school work. It is important to eat meals with good nutrition, drink a lot of water and take a multi-vitamin. Get plenty of sleep and try not to get the nights and days turned around because it makes it tough to adjust for that 7:30 a.m. final test.

Don't go home for the first month

A good rule to set is to not go home for one month. The reason is that many of the activities happen on the weekend. If a student goes home instead of staying at school, there is a tendency to not have as much in common with the other students. Also it is easy to become more homesick by frequent visits home because of contact with high school friends that are still in the community and family bonds. Giving college a student's full attention and focus for the first month generally results in contentment with the college experience.

Plan on walking

Most high school students aren't used to going for long walks just to make it to class. Quite often classes are taken in buildings completely across campus from each other. Plan on walking in all kinds of weather conditions. Just because it is hot in September upon arrival doesn't mean it won't be cold the next week with wind and rain. Also plan the walk time into the schedule. If it takes 10 minutes to get to class, it doesn't add up to leave with 5 minutes to spare. Being late for class does not leave a good impression on the professor.

Embrace the opportunity

Take it all in and appreciate all the opportunities that are available. Try out a variety of courses and sample all that is offered academically. This is the chance to test out different subjects and careers. It is possible that taking one class will lead to other possibilities and careers. Being able to state on a resume that classes were taken in entrepreneurship, acting, or golf might end up being the way that a person gets a foot in the door later on.

Transitioning from high school to college is a period of tantalizing opportunities combined with risk and independence. Students who are able to maturely taken on this next step in their academic careers will have a positive and beneficial academic experience.

Learn more about this author, MJ Suttor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

---

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!