College Success=College Degree=Good job

School is getting ready to start soon and very soon.  It will be a numbing feeling for the Class of 2015 as their classmates head back and college has not started, yet.  That will be one of many feelings to deal with as change and transition happens in life.  You’ve selected to pursue college for yourself and now you must be sure to chart your course to be successful over the next few years. Here are few things to keep in mind and achieve your goals:

1.     Always  keep your graduate requirements in mind as you are choosing your courses.  Staying balanced is key.  You don’t want to take all hard courses so be sure to enroll in a topic that you have been wanting to explore

2.     Connect with your professors and advisors-they are there to help you and make sure you succeed.  Professors want their students to be engaged and contribute to the learning environment-so ask questions to understand and share answers for discussions. 

3.     Is choosing a seat in the classroom important?  Studies have shown over and over that students who choose to sit toward the front are more engaged learners and tend to stay focused.  Get to class early enough to have a seat closer to the front.

4.     You get to reinvent yourself to be different than what you were in high school-if you desire to do so. You get to hang with whomever you choose.  Still choose wisely.

5.     College brings together all types of people from all walks of life. So have rich discussions and listen and learn so you can form your own thoughts and opinion.  There will be people from other countries who have had different experiences culturally, economically than you-learn from them.

6.     Be caution with alcohol-you are still underage and being in  and around it can mean you are guilty.  Be wise.  There are all kinds of ways to have fun that don’t involve alcohol.

7.     GRADES-GPA your freshman year stays with you.  It is difficult to bring up your GPA so start strong.  You may choose only 12 hours your first semester just so you have a strong GPA

8.     Roommates will teach you more about yourself than you may want to know.  Be open. Try not to have expectations with roommates that you will be the “best of friends” etc. Don’t be afraid to make a change if you need to in order to get enough rest.

Parents: The transition is new to you, as well.  Some points for you to keep in mind that may help with this transition:

1.     Do LISTEN to your son/daughter-don’t try to solve all their problems just help them solve it for themselves.

2.     Do remember your role has changed from manager to consultant.  Embrace it-they are moving toward total independence. Your goal all along.   One area to encourage is to make sure the student does not overcommit to too many activities. There is so much to do and to be involved but they have plenty of time. 

3.     Don’t let you college-bound student get overwhelmed.  They are dealing with a lot emotionally. Talk to them about time management and balance.

4.     Do encourage access to  the University’s counseling center.  A lot of college students need these services-Have them take advantage of it while its affordable. 

5.     Don’t be a helicopter parent. Letting go is not easy.  Set up a time that is great for all parties that you can look forward to facetime, skype or just a phonecall. Write your questions down to ask. You may want to set up texting boundaries about questions etc.  Students really want their parents to trust they can do this and we need to let them know that we know they can.

Good luck on a fantastic journey of new friendships and new memories.  It is definitely and exciting time.  Embrace it and make those memories.