Articles and advice:
Advice for
1st Year College Success
by Brian Raison. Originally published Dayton Daily News,
June 15, 2006
“I wasn’t prepared to be in control.”
“I had to learn to make my own choices.”
“I was overwhelmed with all the freedom.”
“A lot of people aren’t ready for college yet.”
Those words stem directly from current college students.
When I learned that 26% of college freshmen do not return
for their second year, I sought direct advice that could
help high school seniors be more prepared.
As youth from rural and urban communities converge on
college campuses each fall, move-in day equalizes variables
such as high school size, class rank, family finances and
distance from home. Regardless of background, all face the
anxiety of a major life change. And rightly so. By design,
college coursework is more demanding, in-depth and delivered
at a faster pace than the high school curriculum. Students
are afforded greater independence, flexibility and freedom
of choice in everything from social activities to class
attendance; but, this choice comes with great
responsibility. Major social scene changes intensify
decision-making and add complexity. Today, students also
face serious health issues such as AIDS, alcohol poisoning,
HPV, acquaintance rape, and others. Better and smarter
choices can not only reduce dropouts, but may also mean the
difference between life and death.
This all sounds terrible. But don’t quit reading yet. There
is some great news ahead! In recent years, colleges and
universities have added first year encounter seminars that
provide excellent primers on topics that many freshmen find
overwhelming. With subjects like how to study, time and
money management, healthy living, and even stress reduction,
incoming students learn both coping and avoidance
strategies. Colleges have also developed comprehensive web
sites that provide advice to incoming students and parents.
Topics range from a parents survival guide to details on
social, academic, spiritual and physical aspects of a
specific campus. The popular press offers several college
survival guide titles as well. But choose wisely. Many are
not research-based and may lack objectivity.
The key to success is timing. New collegians must be
prepared to make their own decisions the moment their
parents drive away. For most, this is the first time in
their lives they have been truly free. Here are four easy
steps that will lead to success.
1. Talk with former and current collegians… now. Ask them to
describe what surprised them most during their freshman
year. If college-bound youth encounter real stories about
major social scene changes and academic challenges prior to
their arrival on campus, they will make better, smarter
choices when they face similar issues in real life.
2. Take the first year experience classes. They are taught
by great professors who really care about freshman student
success.
3. Join on-campus activities and groups. Faith-based and
volunteer groups are very safe and loaded with upper
classmen who can impart wise advice to freshmen. Be weary of
groups with a “mostly social” agenda. Do your research
before joining.
4. Believe in yourself. College success is obtainable by
those willing to work hard and persevere. You can do it.
Brian Raison is a 4-H youth and community development
educator at Ohio State University, Dept. of Extension. He
may be reached at
raison.1@osu.edu |
