Whether students are beginning college directly after high school, leaving a full-time job to pursue an education, or working and attending college at the same time, they face some adjustments during the first year of the undergraduate experience. Students in two freshman level courses were asked to describe the transitional issues they faced in their first semester and to give advice to incoming students. You will find below the top 10 transition issues identified by students in order of importance.
Top Ten Transition Issues Identified by Students
(in order of importance)
Personal responsibility "In college you have freedom to do as you please...to go where you wish...to do as you wish. Unfortunately, this freedom is easily abused. The student carries 98% of the responsibility and control."
Class attendance "As a college student, you will decide whether you want to go to class or not. Being absent will hurt you in the long run."
Teacher attitudes "Your instructors will not hound you to do your work. It's entirely up to you. Get to know your teachers. If your teachers know you, it will be easier for them to look out for you and help you if you're having trouble."
Types of assignments "In high school we were given a homework assignment every day. Now we have a large task assigned to be done at a certain time. No one tells when to start or what to do each day. Once you get an assignment, start working on it right away. It takes a daily effort to keep up."
Importance of performance "Don't take your courses or studies lightly. The decisions you make in college will decide your future, in some respects. Remember that you are here for an education."
Time management "The amount of free time you have in college is much more than in high school. Always have a weekly study schedule to go by. Otherwise, time slips away and you will not be able to account for it."
Amount of study "In high school I was a B student with out studying. In college I was a C/D student without studying. To succeed, you have to study!"
Size of institution/classes "Lecture classes are much larger than high school classes. This can be scary for a new student."
Difficulty of college work "College is probably going to be tougher than high school. Don't let that stop you!"
Social life "Sometimes it seems harder to make friends because of the size of the school. But there are a variety of organizations and activities. Get involved and meet the people!"
Survey completed in the College Reading & Study Skills courses and published in the Witchita State University Academic Advising handbook that was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) in 1997.