| College life presents a number of new challenges for | | | | freedom. When students live on their own for the |
| the high school graduate becoming a new college | | | | first time, they are often tempted to spend more |
| freshman. Not only will the student be living on their | | | | time doing the fun things they want rather than the |
| own for the first time, in most cases, but they are | | | | work they need to be doing. Too much fun can |
| also responsible for managing their own time and | | | | quickly lead to poor grades and not attending class. |
| finances. At the same time, college entrance is not | | | | At the same time, it can lead to too much money |
| always a step-by-step process and students must | | | | being spent frivolously. Students need to have a set |
| determine the steps they need to take as they go. | | | | budget and should learn how to manage their money |
| Students attending college should first have an | | | | long before they are allowed to have a credit card |
| understanding of exactly how high school and college | | | | and checking account while in college. |
| are different. There are often several personal | | | | Finally, the level of academics in high school and |
| adjustments that students will need to make so that | | | | college are drastically different. A large difference in |
| they will be successful in college. Time management is | | | | high school and college academics is that there are |
| often one of the first areas that students will need | | | | fewer assignments in college, so each grade a |
| to understand, as they are responsible for their own | | | | student receives in a class counts for a substantial |
| time management in college. In high school, students | | | | part of their overall grade. College exams are also |
| see the same teachers each and every day and | | | | significant portions of their grades as well. Because of |
| often have more contact with their teachers. In | | | | this, students need to have a schedule that will allow |
| college, instructors and professors are often only | | | | them time to study as well as have fun. |
| available during office hours and by appointment or | | | | When entering college, it is vitally important that |
| directly before and after class. Students may also | | | | students set themselves up for success. If a student |
| only see these individuals one or two days per week | | | | is not a morning person, then they are not likely to |
| depending on the class. While high school teachers | | | | retain much information from any early morning class. |
| pay closer attention to whether students are keeping | | | | Attending each and every class is important, but it |
| up with their class work, college professors expect | | | | will do them no god if they are not able to learn at |
| their students to take on that responsibility | | | | that time of day. A schedule that fits the student will |
| themselves. Professors simply have too many | | | | set that student up for good grades and success in |
| students to keep up with to track each student's | | | | college. Finally, students should plan on doing the bulk |
| assignments. These are just a few differences | | | | of their work outside of class rather than during class. |
| between high school and college, but they all relate | | | | Finally, students should take advantage of any |
| back to the student being prepared to handle his or | | | | support services offered by the college if they find |
| her own time and work on their own. | | | | themselves having difficulty. Colleges offer free |
| Before being set loose in a dorm on campus, parents | | | | tutoring and study groups for students who need |
| also need to take steps to prepare their student for | | | | the additional help. There are a variety of resources |
| college. While in college, students have much more | | | | available through the college that are available at the |
| freedom, but they also need to be able to handle this | | | | students disposal. |