College Readiness
You’ve committed to college, sent the check, signed on the dotted line.. Now what?
In Frank Bruni’s “antidote to the college admissions mania”, he explains that it’s not where you go to college, but what you do once you get there. Whether or not you know where you’re headed, there are certain life skills and actions you can take that will prepare you for the challenges ahead, academically, socially, and financially.
I’ve unpacked my bags. What’s next?
Move-in Day can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be if you are proactive. Reach out to your roommate before you meet in person. Who will help you move in? Who will be in charge of setting up the space? When will mom and/or dad go home? Plan ahead to relieve anxiety.
Reach out to your Resident Assistant or Resident Director if problems arise for you or your roommate or classmate. They are specially trained and there to help resolve conflicts and keep you safe. Show up on time to the RA’s orientation. Listen respectfully and ask questions.
Family Communication: Before you go it helps to make a plan to determine the level of contact that works for you and your folks. Decide who will initiate communication, how often,and when you will talk, and how you will communicate. FaceTime? Phone call? Snail mail?
Sharing Your Dorm Room: You may find yourself in a small space with three other people. It really helps to be honest about your daily routines when you fill out the roommate questionnaire. Sharing a tiny living space with a stranger can be a daunting prospect to say the least. However, cohabitating with a roommate will undoubtedly be one of the most pivotal experiences in your college career. Whether you want to or not, you’re bound to discover a great deal about yourself and others in the process.
Filling Out Your School’s Roommate Questionnaire
First of all, now is not the time to create responses based on how you imagine you will be once you finally get to college. It’s much better to tell the truth about your sleeping habits, study routines, and level of cleanliness than be unpleasantly surprised when you end up with someone who is super tidy and you know that’s not you.
What to Expect
Expect to be matched up with someone who shares your living habits but has a different background and life experiences. It helps to reach out to your roommate before move-in day. Be careful not to share too much too soon. Discuss ahead of time how you will share your space and items you plan to bring that could be shared such as a mini-fridge, microwave, and cleaning supplies. Some very important topics to iron out before,or upon arrival, include: overnight guests, study habits, taste in music, typical bedtime, morning routines, level of neatness. Be honest, share important information but be willing to compromise.
Adjusting to College Schedules and Responsibilities
You are now your own boss. This means it is your job to ask for help when you need it. Professors will expect you to take initiative when you need support. Likewise, it’s up to you to keep up, do the reading before a lecture or discussion, then integrate your reading and lectures in order to come up with your own ideas. Because there will be fewer assessments, there is going to be a lot more reading. You will need to take comprehensive notes.
Class is in Session: Students often ask professors for information that has already been communicated, such as times of office hours and assignment due dates. Before sending an email to ask, check the syllabus and your class notes to see if the answer is there. It also doesn’t hurt to ask someone else from the class before resorting to emailing your professor. Get at least one classmate’s phone number or email address during the first week.
Participate in Class! The more you engage, the more you will learn. Regardless of whether or not you receive points for participation, participating makes it easier to learn and remember the material when it’s time for assessments. Plus you may need the information in your next class and to succeed in your future career!
01 | Listen carefully to your professor’s question.
02 | Answer the question presented.
03 | Relate your answer to the assigned readings.
04 | Listen to understand, not only to rebut.
05 | Engage with or debate the ideas presented.
Most likely, you are going to have a really tough time with at least one of your classes. Know that you are not the only one having this experience. While they will probably be putting on a good front, most everyone will be going through the same thing. Your college admission officers didn’t goof when they accepted you. You deserve to be there, and you will prevail. It might be a struggle at first. Reach out for help, and know that struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Robin Haas, M.A.Ed. is an active member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the Western Association of College Counselors (WACAC) and a earned a Certificate in College Counseling with Distinction from UCLA.
