Posts Tagged ‘transitioning to college’

5 Tips to Survive (and Thrive) Freshman Year

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Making the transition to college—well, it isn’t always easy. But, there are things that you can do to help ensure your college success. My College Guide has five tips to guide you as you begin your college career.

Don't let the work pile up--schedule in study time!

Don't let the work pile up--schedule in study time!

Ensure Your College Success

Network – College is a great time to network. It’s not only a good idea for what comes after college (you know, real life) but it’s doubly good in case you miss a class due to illness! If you can’t be in class, you will have someone else that you can call to find out what you missed—and to have a set of notes from the day’s lecture to copy!

Eat Well – Now more than ever your college cafeteria offers a ton of meal choice. Sure, you can eat French fries and a burger every single day—but don’t! The Freshman fifteen is avoidable but more than that, a healthy diet can keep you, well, healthy!

Get Involved – The wall flower will never have the college experience they had hoped! College is a time to try new things: Get involved in clubs and activities, don’t be afraid to chat up anyone who sits beside you in your college classes, and make your Freshman year everything you wanted. Bonus: If you miss class due to illness, you will have someone around to fill you in on what happened as well as give you notes to copy.

Know Your Professors – Your college professors aren’t just there to lecture, pass out assignments, and assign research papers. While it might seem scary, introduce yourself personally after class (maybe come up with a question about the course as an ice breaker). Knowing your college professor can be really helpful if you run into scheduling conflicts later. If you join the ranks of the majority of college freshman and end up changing your major, having a mentor in the field that you are interested in is invaluable!

Study Time – This might sound a little silly but you should think about scheduling yourself time to study! It’s very easy to fall into the “I’ll get to that later” routine and later never seems to happen. College isn’t like high school. You will have lots of reading and studying to do just about every night. Stay on top of it early to keep it down to a minimum because cramming for a test at the last minute? It just isn’t fun.

Next Year

Don’t stop there! Make a mental note to carry out our advice throughout your college career. Good study habits, networking with others, and having a back-up plan in case of illness is always a good idea, no matter what year in school you are!

Image Courtesy of Flickr, Opensourceway.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search, Fun Stuff | 2 Comments »

How To: Choose the Right College Meal Plan

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

After all the paperwork you’ve trucked through, like your application and financial aid, you’ve probably got one last little bit of the registration process to take care of: figuring out your college cafeteria meal plan! My College Guide has hints and tips to help you figure out the best option for you.

How To: Choose the Right College Meal Plan

How To: Choose the Right College Meal Plan

The College Cafeteria Meal Plan

Cafeteria meal plans are covered by your tuition – but you need to decide how much you want to tack onto your total college tuition bill!

You’ve got a lot on your plate right now (pun intended). Some schools don’t give college freshmen a choice about their meal plan. This means you will usually receive three meals a day each weekday and at least two meals on the weekends. But for others, you’ll have to decide! When you look at all that your school has to offer, how do you make the right college meal plan choice?

Make a List

Okay, so you don’t have to be all formal about it and physically make a list, but it helps to think about your eating habits. Do you always eat breakfast? Is your first class scheduled at 8 AM but you aren’t exactly get up and go in the morning?

You should also consider your extracurricular activities. If you are involved in track and know that you will meet and train most mornings each week, will you be able to fit in a long walk to the college cafeteria or will you need to chow down in your dorm room?

In many cases, new college students just aren’t going to use the largest meal plan around. There’s all sorts of other commitments that can get in the way of on-campus meals, like involvement with college extracurricular activities, clubs, organizations, and eating out with friends.

Fixed or Flexible

Some colleges have a meal plan where you purchase so many meals each week for the whole year. You can enter the college cafeteria for dinner only so many times but each time you can eat as much as you want (just beware the Freshman 15!).

At other schools, you will be charged for the items you pick out. It’s a declining balance system much like a debit card — you will present your pass or your I.D. card, whatever your college uses, and that amount will be deducted from your balance for the year. In this case, you will need to make sure you don’t zip through your balance too fast so pay attention to the start and end dates of your college meal plan! Bonus: you are often allowed to treat your family or visiting friends with the declining balance system, just make sure you aren’t too nice about it!

Restricted Diet

If you are lactose-intolerant or have a different diet for other reasons, you should have already made sure that there is something at the college cafeteria for you! Some schools will really work with you but you may also be charged more, too. It’s something to consider and remember as you budget out your first year of college.

Remember, you won’t always eat at the college cafeteria. You’ll go out with friends, on a date, or get free food for involvement in on-campus activities and organizations.

Images Courtesy of Flickr, klynslis.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Life, Housing | 2 Comments »

Step Away from the TV: Pre-College Summer Programs at the University of Rochester

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

How do you usually spend your summer? If you answered, “Sitting around doing nothing,” you may want to plan ahead now and make next summer one to remember! Consider a pre-college summer program at a school like the University of Rochester that can help boost your chances of college success! Check out our interview with Ursula Balent, pre-college summer program coordinator at the University of Rochester.

Rochester ScholarsWhat does a residential pre-college summer program look like at the University of Rochester?
Students may choose between one-, two-, and three-week noncredit courses offered through Rochester Scholars or four-week, credit-bearing courses offered through Taste of College.

The students’ day begins with breakfast at 8 a.m. Morning Rochester Scholars classes run from 9 a.m. until noon, when lunch begins. Afternoon Rochester Scholars classes run from 1 to 4 p.m. Courses are structured like traditional college seminars and promote learning by doing. Students actively participate in a variety of workshops, class discussions, field trips, group projects, experiments, and labs, putting newfound knowledge to use in independent and creative ways. Classes are taught by select University faculty and graduate students, along with top local educators, who have demonstrated their commitment and enthusiasm to cultivating the minds of young students. With smaller class sizes, instructors have the time to mentor and guide each student and give valuable insights into theories, technologies, and principles of the field.

University of Rochester pre-college summer program!Class times for students enrolled in credit-bearing undergraduate classes through Taste of College vary, but classes typically run for a total of 3 hours and are held 3-5 days a week. The program allows motivated students to explore subjects that are typically reserved for study on a collegiate level. Courses are offered during the University’s summer academic semesters, and credits are transferable to most colleges and universities.

If a student is not enrolled in both morning and afternoon classes, they may use the free time to enjoy the many activities available, study, browse the libraries, or simply relax. Students are also encouraged to attend information sessions, workshops, campus tours, and interviews offered by the Office of Admissions.

How old should students be to participate, and what can they study?
Rochester Scholars classes and the residential offerings are open to students entering grades 9-12. Courses offer hands-on classroom activities that introduce students to fields of study such as art, photography, journalism, music, history, forensic science, neuroscience, medicine, and engineering, among others. Classes are also offered in partnership with the Eastman School of Music, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Life Sciences Learning Center.

What do you want your summer to be? Consider a pre-college summer program like at the University of Rochester!For high school juniors and seniors looking to get a jump start on their college careers, our Taste of College program offers the chance to earn college credits and study among University of Rochester undergraduates. Typical Taste of College course subjects have included Calculus, Intro to Philosophy, American Sign Language, Prep for College Chemistry, and Principles of Economics, among others.

Why should a college-bound student think about giving up part of their summer to enroll in a pre-college program?
Students will get a true taste of the college environment and gain new perspectives on their academic abilities and potential. In addition, they can investigate their educational goals and explore career possibilities. Students build lasting relationships with peers who share similar academic and personal interests. Participants who enroll in the residential component of Rochester Scholars or Taste of College will have the opportunity to meet with admissions counselors, attend workshops about the admissions process, and receive tips and advice for study skills. These programs are also attractive additions to college applications. Students can add the program to their resumes, write about their experiences in application essays, or talk about it during interviews with admissions counselors. A student who elects to spend time pursuing an academic interest beyond the school environment often translates into a very interesting applicant.

University of Rochester ScholarsWhat options are available for younger students?
Rochester Scholars Jr. is designed for students in grades 6-8. The program runs for one week during the summer and offers just the right mix of intellectual stimulation, academic freedom, and gentle guidance and support from instructors. During the lunch hour, Rochester Scholars Jr. students participate in supervised activities and games on campus.

Any advice for a student considering a pre-college program? What should they look for? Anything in particular they should be prepared to bring with them?
Look for programs that offer courses students are interested in exploring. Determine what it is they want to get out of a pre-college program. Talk to former program participants. Determine what the family can afford and ask if there are scholarships available.

Ask if the program is run by the university itself or another organization renting space on campus. Summer is a great time for students to try something new and explore their options. All they need to bring is their excitement and willingness to learn!

Malwai Immersion Summer SeminarSo what’s new in 2011?
We are very excited to be offering a pre-college study abroad program for rising juniors and seniors to Malawi, Africa. The two-week Malawi Immersion Summer Seminar offers a unique opportunity to experience Malawi and its culture through exploration, community mapping, research activities, interviews, and field notes. Trips will include extraordinary travels to villages, museums, parks, and safaris. Students will walk away with enhanced knowledge of the customs, cultural and political milieu, and historical context of Malawi.

The University of Rochester’s Office of Pre-College Programs is always adding new classes and exciting opportunities. Please refer to http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/precollege/ for the latest, most comprehensive information. Please adhere to scholarship and application deadlines.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, Preparing for College, Summer Programs | 1 Comment »

HOW TO: Prevent the College Transfer

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Let’s face it: the college search is quite the process! You make visits, speak with admissions and students and tour guides and then you fill out form after form and wait for your happy little acceptance letter in the mail. Sometimes, just sometimes, even after all your hard work – you might need a college transfer. Here are a few reasons why you may end up transferring colleges and what you can do now to avoid it!

Still dreaming about "the one that got away?" A college transfer might be the answer!

Lower Columbia College / Lower Columbia College (LCC)

Change of Major – So you thought you really wanted to be an Engineer but you didn’t realize there was all of that Math or maybe after sampling a few different types of class subjects you’ve changed your mind and your new proposed major isn’t even offered at your current college.

Transfer Fix: Before you officially decide on a college, make a list of possible career paths and see if your school offers at least a few of the college majors you might be interested in – check out the strength of those majors at the school, too, if you can. It could save you the headache of having to do the college hunt all over again in a year!

Commuter college – Everyone packs up and heads home on the weekends. That’s fine if that’s what you want to do but what if you live too far away from family and old friends? How did you miss that one?

Transfer Fix: When you visit a college, after your official college tour, make sure to talk  to actual college students. Find out if there’s anything to do on the weekend, if there are various scheduled activities or events throughout the week, and if everyone sticks around or takes off.

Not what you expected – Maybe you didn’t do your research. Maybe, for whatever reason, the campus just isn’t a good college fit for you. For whatever reason, things have changed, even you have changed in the past year, and the things that initially drew you to the campus might not be what you want right now. For example, did you think you wanted a small campus and now find yourself feeling suffocated or maybe you thought you wanted a big campus and feel more like a number than a student.

Transfer Fix: Sometimes, even after making a college campus visit and doing all the research that you are “supposed” to do, when you actually get to college you find it isn’t what you expected. Every campus is different so before you think “drop-out” you might want to think “college transfer.” Now that you are older and wiser you might be better equipped after a year of college to realize what it is you are really looking for. A college transfer might be the way to go.

You can’t get over your dream school – Still pining for your dream school and wishing you were there? Were you shot down for admission because you lacked a crucial subject like Chemistry or enough years in a foreign language? Maybe you did everything “right” but since they can’t take everyone…you didn’t make it in.

Transfer Fix: If you are still thinking about your dream school a whole year later, you might want to apply for a college transfer. Maybe now that you have been involved in college campus activities, have a great GPA, and some community service under your belt, the college that turned you away might just welcome you with open arms. Visit them again and see if you feel the same, then see what steps you have to take to make that dream school your school!

There is no magical solution to preventing a college transfer (and potential loss of college credits!). The college campus visit is very important, just like talking to actual students and trying to get a feel for a college before you dive right in. Meet with your student advisor when you need a little guidance and see what other options there are before you transfer.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

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How to Not Look Like a College Freshman or Learn the University of Kansas Fight Song Clap

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Just when you thought you had it all covered: you memorized the campus map and you know how to get from Point A to Point B to keep from looking like a college Freshman — My College Guide had to throw one more curve ball at you: do you know the campus traditions?

Nothing says, “Freshman” like a student who doesn’t know the college campus legends and superstitions – don’t walk through that gate or use those stairs or stroll under that campanile! Why not see if your college or university has a dedicated page of campus traditions? Here’s a great example of how colleges are helping students get on-board – using YouTube videos! If you go to the University of Kansas, you might want to learn the Rock Chalk Chant and how to clap to the fight song, you know, before the big game! Watch KU Traditions: The Fight Song Clap on YouTube or below.

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8 Tips for New College Freshmen or How to Survive Your First Day of College

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

College is different than high school in so many ways – which is precisely why you are out there looking for all the advice regarding that first day that you can get! Hopefully you get your school year started off with a bang by attending Welcome Week and Orientation – but, either way, here’s a few college tips to help with the transition to college!

You aren't going to successfully transition to college overnight -- give yourself time to get used to college life!

iJammin / Ben Grantham

It’s a Matter of Time: Give yourself time to get used to college, well, everything! The last time school was such a totally new experience, your mom held your hand as she walked you in the doors at Kindergarten. It might be tempting to get involved in every club and organization under the sun but you won’t have time to do it all! Limit yourself to a few that really make you happy – and leave a little time to just do nothing, too.

History of Rock n’ Roll: Maintain your GPA (and keep your merit scholarship) by not taking every incredibly difficult class under the sun! It’s okay to have a fluff or totally unusual college class in there, in fact, it’s a good idea! College professors like doling out papers, group projects, and homework – that fluff class might give you a break from the avalanche of work while getting your elective courses done and out of the way!

A New Beginning: College is a fresh start. Why not try something you’ve never tried before but that always looked or sounded kind of fun? Be the person you’ve always wanted to be! If there’s a big old game of Zombies versus Humans or hide and seek at your college campus, why not join in? You never know if you will like something until you actually try it!

Explore your campus: Don’t just spend all your time trudging from this cool college class to that one to the cafeteria to your dorm – get out there and do some exploring! Big campus or small, each one always has a few tucked away little nooks or scenic pathways. Go on a little walk and relax – it’s okay to take a break, you know!

Night Owl: Don’t feel like you have to stay out all night. Yes, there can be parties at college but failing out of school because you don’t know when to say when – well, that’s just disappointing! There are plenty of other ways to unwind and break up the studying/homework routine. That’s what all those student groups, clubs, and organizations are for! Get involved in college life – join something that you can be proud of!

Remember these? Make hitting the books a priority -- you've spent the last four years getting to this point, don't blow it!

Horia Varlan / Horia Varlan

No Pain, No Gain: You’ve heard about it. You’ve thought about it. Now, we’re telling you: the Freshman Fifteen doesn’t have to be true for you. Forget the convenience foods, fast foods, and middle of the night snacking. When your energy is lagging, grab a piece of fruit, bring a refillable bottle to avoid sugary soft drinks, and you’ll be fine!

Book It: Get to know your college library! Not only does it provide the perfect (quiet) environment for studying, but most college and university libraries go far beyond the usual books and magazines. Many have laptops and other gadgets available to borrow – so if your computer goes bad, you’ve got options!

Writing Labs: Don’t just hand that paper in without handing it over to an on-campus writing lab for a proofread! Sure, it means you have to plan ahead in order to get that paper done but the simple act of having someone go over what you’ve written checking for errors might help you keep from missing out on easy points.

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Arizona State University Simplifies the Dorm Move-In Process

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Heading off to college is scary! How in the world do you fit all the important stuff and your family in just one car? We’re only kidding, but just the same, it is a nerve-wracking process. There’s a mass of students roaming around the dorms, everyone is carrying their most essential dorm room items in and out, and the traffic alone can be more than a little hairy (especially when you don’t really know where you are supposed to be going!). Arizona State University, however, has taken the dorm move-in process to the next level!

With a large campus base, Arizona State University had to make the move-in process efficient! Around 10,000 students are moving into ASU’s Tempe campus housing, so they had to make some changes to make the process as efficient and stress-free as possible – for everyone involved! How did they do it? Why, by having a team of people reading and raring to get all your luggage, bags, and boxes in the dorm for you! Watch Arizona State University Move-In onto Halls Vimeo or below.

ASU Students Move into Halls for year from Keith Jennings on Vimeo.

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Transition to College Easily: University of Arizona’s Faculty Fellows Program

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

For some of you, college will be the first time you will ever be away from home for any length of time – it might even be your first time out of state (or even abroad)!  The University of Arizona developed the Faculty Fellows program back in 1984 in order to help students just like you make the transition to college a little less jarring.

Students from Yuma Residence Hall at the University of Arizona with Faculty Fellow Judy Temple (in the middle wearing a white apron).

Courtesy of University of Arizona

Of course, there are plenty of resources that can help you adjust to college (like our website, this blog, and annual magazine for starters) but we haven’t heard about such a comprehensive college program…until now!  My College Guide thought you might like to know about this one – so we spoke with Lynette Cook Francis, the Assistant VP for Student Affairs, at the University of Arizona to learn more.

Why a Faculty Fellows Program?  What is it?
The Faculty Fellows program lowers the barriers between students and faculty by placing faculty in environments on students’ home turf:  residence halls, athletics, cultural centers and Greek houses.

Faculty hold regular hours in these facilities, getting to know the students, mentoring, participating in events and hosting their own events.  There are about 35 fellows in over 30 locations.

What role do these faculty members play in helping a new student smoothly make the transition to college?
Fellows often help make the transition from having a parent around all the time to having a caring adult who will listen and with whom they can check in with when they need to. The goal of the program includes helping students to make a smooth transition from high school to university, more effective decision making, an ever-deepening love of learning and, ultimately, graduation from the University.

wm_east_mall_sculpture

Courtesy of University of Arizona

Do faculty fellows and their students take part in any activities or events?
A key part of being a fellow is to bring a unique interest to the students, Fellows are famous for engaging in all kinds of activities.  Some include cooking for their residence hall every month,  engaging students in a semester-long mural project; working with students on sustainability projects; taking students to performances; and tutoring and doing study skills workshops or practice job interviewing.

There you have it!  The University of Arizona’s Faculty Fellows program looks like a great way to incoming students successfully make the transition to college and so much more!  And what college student can resist the offer of a home-cooked dinner?

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On-campus Living: Home Away from Home Trials, Tribulations and Fun

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Michael Sarver

As a college freshman, it’s probably the first time you’ll be living away from home. It’s the first time you’ll be responsible for your own curfew, doing your own laundry and preparing your own meals. It’s a very exciting time for most, but college life can be a scary one at the same time. Finding ways to deal with the change in your environment can make the difference from a successful college transition and a bombed attempt.

5 Ways to Deal with Campus Living

Be open with your roomie. Your college roommate may be the complete opposite of you, but this doesn’t mean you can’t live together in harmony. Be sure to always talk openly with your roommate, setting ground rules and expectations with each other from day one.

Be open-minded. College is about meeting new people and experiencing new things. Be open-minded so that you’ll have a chance to mix and mingle with people that may have different backgrounds from you. Join new groups on campus and participate in activities that allow you to expand your horizons.

Don’t forget to study. The primary reason you’re at college is to learn, so it is important to schedule time to study and do your homework. Dorm living may not present the ideal environment for hunkering down for quiet time, so find a spot on or off campus that allows you to put in quality homework and study time.

Learn from your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes and college freshmen are definitely not exceptions to this rule. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and move on from it. If you don’t score as high on a test or paper as you expected because you went to a party instead, you know you need to skip the social activities and put more time into your school work. If you accidentally mix a red sock in with your white clothes and now everything is pink, you know to better sort your laundry next time.

Eat, Sleep and Decrease Stress. There are a lot of stress factors that come with being away at college. The important thing is to try to eat and sleep as properly as you can. These two factors can help you to deal with the stress of it all a lot more effectively than if you’re tackling stress without proper nutrition and enough sleep.

Heading off to college is fun and exciting but it has some trials and tribulations that come along with it. Finding ways to effectively manage and deal with the transition of living away from home for the first time is the key to a smooth transition.

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