2 answers
Madison
Student
Linden, New Jersey
2
Questions
Updated
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What was the hardest part about the high school to college transition?
I am currently a senior and high school and I plan to be a full time student in Fall of 2026, I know it’s a big adjustment so I want to prepare.
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2 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I would go on a campus tour, to determine which college is a right fit (something that I wish that I had done). Spend some time on the college campus getting to know the geography and where everything is located.
One thing, that I have observed in my college academic career, is students coming to a college without really knowing anything about the campus, its environment, the academic opportunities and advantages that each one offers, or the college campus region. Successful "Campus Navigation" is the one most important things, in my opinion, that starts each student on the road towards achieving their goals.
There are many reasons to attend a specific college, but you should (in my opinion), look at information on campus resources and academic assistance (like tutoring), academic majors, student life and housing, admissions, security and parking, library resources, and other elements of the campus, which can assist you in achieving your college goals.
It is best to spend time at the campus, talking with the students, staff, academic advisors, and getting a cognitive map of the region, to determine if it is the right fit for you and your future goals. As you become more comfortable, with the campus environment, the more your adjustment begins to progress and your apprehension starts to decline.
Not only does the college campus have to fit you, but it also needs to fit your family, because they are going to go through the experience of having you away from home, and potentially providing you with resources, that you will require in order to achieve your goals on the campus, that you eventually choose to attend.
One thing, that I have observed in my college academic career, is students coming to a college without really knowing anything about the campus, its environment, the academic opportunities and advantages that each one offers, or the college campus region. Successful "Campus Navigation" is the one most important things, in my opinion, that starts each student on the road towards achieving their goals.
There are many reasons to attend a specific college, but you should (in my opinion), look at information on campus resources and academic assistance (like tutoring), academic majors, student life and housing, admissions, security and parking, library resources, and other elements of the campus, which can assist you in achieving your college goals.
It is best to spend time at the campus, talking with the students, staff, academic advisors, and getting a cognitive map of the region, to determine if it is the right fit for you and your future goals. As you become more comfortable, with the campus environment, the more your adjustment begins to progress and your apprehension starts to decline.
Not only does the college campus have to fit you, but it also needs to fit your family, because they are going to go through the experience of having you away from home, and potentially providing you with resources, that you will require in order to achieve your goals on the campus, that you eventually choose to attend.
Haley Cade
Operations Manager
2
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Haley’s Answer
One of the biggest adjustments for me moving from high school to college was a change in structure. I was very involved in extracurriculars and accustomed to the routine of attending school Monday-Friday, but I underestimated how self-disciplined I would need to be in college, especially living on-campus and away from my support network at home.
There are new experiences, competing priorities, and varied course schedules that can make staying on-task challenging, but it's not impossible! I would recommend staying organized with a calendar to know when assignments are due since you may not receive the frequency of reminders you're used to. It is also helpful to start developing relationships with classmates to increase accountability and establish another layer of support in your new environment.
I would also reflect on what other responsibilities you may have outside of schoolwork (including socializing, resting, working, etc.) and be honest with yourself about how much time you need to devote to each to feel successful and fulfilled. Knowing I needed to devote a specific amount of time to studying allowed me to better identify my limitations when it felt like there were endless opportunities available to me. By being able to set expectations with others, I was also able to navigate important college experiences without feeling left out. This also helped me build good habits around work/life balance after graduating.
Best of luck on this exciting next step!
There are new experiences, competing priorities, and varied course schedules that can make staying on-task challenging, but it's not impossible! I would recommend staying organized with a calendar to know when assignments are due since you may not receive the frequency of reminders you're used to. It is also helpful to start developing relationships with classmates to increase accountability and establish another layer of support in your new environment.
I would also reflect on what other responsibilities you may have outside of schoolwork (including socializing, resting, working, etc.) and be honest with yourself about how much time you need to devote to each to feel successful and fulfilled. Knowing I needed to devote a specific amount of time to studying allowed me to better identify my limitations when it felt like there were endless opportunities available to me. By being able to set expectations with others, I was also able to navigate important college experiences without feeling left out. This also helped me build good habits around work/life balance after graduating.
Best of luck on this exciting next step!