How do adjust to college after high school
June 18, 2012
It may feel like culture shock or it may feel like coming home. You'll be both thrilled and intimidated, surrounded by students and professors who share not only your interests but your enthusiasm. You'll spend classes being scared to death and evenings having heart-to-hearts with people who will become lifelong friends. One thing's for sure, you'll know you're not in high school anymore.
College is an amazing place, but it's also a brand new climate and requires the shock of the new and acclimation to settle in. What's important to know as you're making this transition from your familiar environment of the past four years and moving on to the next four? Keep these thoughts in mind.
1. You're not a big fish in a small pond any longer. Unlike any other point in your life, everyone arrives freshman year on a completely equal playing field. No one has reputation, no one is expected to be head cheerleader, leader of the math team or class president - and even if they were, you'd probably spend your whole education not running into them. College is big.
2. You'll quickly find a niche or two. While finding a group of friends or clique in high school certainly wasn't any more difficult, college will draw people of the same interests to the same place like magnets. If you've always wanted to find a friend to talk to about Kant's categorical imperative, the films of Akira Kurosawa or math rock, you will find them here.
3. You're financially responsible for yourself - to a degree. College costs money, and while you may not be footing that bill yourself, you may be taking out your own loans to assist. Just as importantly, it's in your hands to apply for college scholarships and grants. These can save you considerable amounts of money on everything from your education itself to the costs of textbooks.
4. You're responsible for your own education as well. Your parents may still call up to discuss your grades or midterm reports, but they won't be over your shoulder. Living on your own means that you decide whether to go out and party that night or stay in and finish your paper. Graduation is your prerogative.
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