So, today while I was observing a senior English classroom at Coconino High School, my cooperating teacher asked me if I would let the students interview me about my college experiences. Despite not having any preparation time, I said yes. I figured-- hey I've been in and out of colleges for a good fourteen years--I can wing this!
Well, let's just say it was interesting. Many of the questions they asked me were more about the transition from high school to college--those first couple of years--and let's just say those aren't as fresh in my mind. So, I'd like to offer a couple of questions that surfaced during the interview to all of you, the experts. What do you think is one of the most important things that a senior high school student can do, or focus on to be prepared for the first year of college? Or, what would be the best piece of advice you would give this student?
My response was to be open-minded to new ideas, paths and people. I know that my careerpath changed drastically during my sophomore year, mostly because I was willing to be flexible, embrace new paths, etc.
So, what do you have to say to students based upon your college experience so far?
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8 comments:
The hardest transition I experienced at the beginning of the year was just being away from home. I missed my family and the comfort of my home terribly. My advice would be that even though they are away from home, their home will always be their home (if that makes any sense). Also, they should call their family at least once a week. It is a comfort to know that your family is there to listen and gab.
From what I have observed over this year is that everyones college experience is unique and everyone deals with leaving home differently. However, my best advice to someone would be to get involved on campus by joining a club or organization. It is a great way for them to make friends who have something in common. Also, it helps make a big campus seem smaller faster by allowing new students to meet people and it gives them familiar faces. Its a good thing to put youreslf out there and meet new people but it is also important that they stay focused on school. Too many of my friends are stressed cuz they weren't focused and now have to make up for bad grades.
I don't know about transition from high school to college, but I will say that anyone desiring to pursue a career with their college education should not choose a major based on what their adviser tells them. Instead they should act as if they are looking for a job. Look at institutions that they are interested in working for and find out what those places are looking for. With this knowledge they can tailor their education to meet their career goals. If advisers and the like are relied on, they will have a rude awakening when they actually begin a job search.
I would tell them.... It's not as bad as it seems. From my experience the first night was tough because I am so close to my family but past that it was so fun to go out and meet people in class. Almost everyone is in the same situation. No one person knows everyone in college so forget about clicks and what not. But mainly.... don't freak out and its not that different from college.
The most difficult thing for me was being away from home, and coming to terms with the idea of being on my own. My mom and dad aren't going to be in my dorm room to make sure i go to class, or that I will get my homeework done. The second very hard thing for me was trying to hold on to highschool, and not wnating to making new friends. You have to remeber that you are not a highschool student any more, and it's okay to want to make new friends and branch out from old ones. Your highschool friends will still always be there, an they are going through the exact same thing too. The first semester is the hardest, but the second is so much better and easier.
I think the hardest part for me was being away from home and family. It was a stretch of my comfort zone. But after a few weeks, it was just so much fun to have freedoms and responsibility. Living in the dorms has been so fun, if I had not gone away from home, I would not have made as many friends I dont think. Comin into college you dont have to have your life planned out, because its going to change, everyone is confused and trying to discover whats right for them. And choices are hard sometimes, one must make conscious decisions about life and how their choices will effect them later. College is fun, then home is only fun for breaks....winter break is super long!
I would say..what really hits home now is how much I didn't study in High School. So many people say that, but I thought that would never be me. I would suggest them to focus on where they would like to go to College and visit it a couple of times to become familiar with the area. That would prevent them from moving and not really liking the campus or the city. Take it from me..I have went to two other colleges! Of course being open minded is important..but focusing on future career ideas is more important I think. To have atleast a few ideas would be more than ideal. I would suggest that they need to be comfortable with new experiences and be aware that things they haven't seen before, crime,etc..may be right before their eyes
hmmm ... it's really not that bad; much more rewarding than High School!!!
As I was saying.. I would add more.
Some more advice is to try as many new experiences your first two years; reason why is because after your first two years you start to get a little older. I am finding myself in extra curricular activities and not really having the time for them because of working for financial responsibilities. So do as much as you can your first two years, and live it up!
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