The transition to college
Students and tourists rest in lawn chairs in Harvard Yard, the open old heart of Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (iStock)
The transition to college can be an exciting time for incoming students, but also a stressful one. Most students are not sure what to expect. How difficult will the coursework be? Who will I meet? Will I keep in contact with old friends? Will my roommate and I get along?
These are just some of the questions incoming college students may have spinning around in their head. However, students should know they’re not alone.
There are many ways a student can prepare for the transition. Dr. Stephanie Winkeljohn Black, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Penn State Harrisburg, explains ways they can start to prepare, “Once you’ve made that decision and you know you’re going, one of the best things to do I think is to talk with maybe classmates who are already enrolled in that college. Friends, cousins, whatever, about what the first semester was like for them specifically.”
Parents can also help in the transition process. Dr. Jean Pretz, a Psychology Professor at Elizabethtown College, discusses the role of the parent during this transition process, “I think that parents can help their kids get ready for college by giving them practice being independent. So, giving them responsibilities for things in a safe environment where if things don’t go well, the parent is there to help them.”
Many colleges offer resources to help students with the transition. According to Dr. Winkeljohn Black, “Most universities will have a counseling center onsite. If you think you’re not quite ready to go in for a traditional talk therapy, a lot of larger counseling centers have a lot of great self-help resources.” Students should also think about the effects of their daily routine, “Staying hydrated and sleep hygiene can actually ward off anxiety and depression, which affects between a third and a quarter of college students right now.”
Dr. Winkeljohn Black advises, “The other thing I would suggest is actually to talk to your professors. We’ve had professors help students find food, if they’re food insecure or take them to the counseling center. Also, giving them advice on how to handle structure and time management.”
There are ways parents can cope with the transition as well. Dr. Pretz believes, “Perhaps parents should try to come up with their own methods of distraction where they might get engaged in some things that they haven’t been able to do in the past that might help them not be as worried about how their child’s transitioning.”
Dr. Pretz also thinks, “One thing that can help parents and their children during the transition is to set a certain date in mind when the kids are going to come home for the first time. So, maybe not every single weekend, but have the time to look forward to when they know they’ll be together again.”
Incoming students should know that the feelings of excitement, nervousness, and uncertainty are common, and there are many resources available to help them with their transition to college.
