No matter what anyone might tell you, leaving high school and entering the tertiary sphere is always going to be quite an adjustment. Students might be emotionally, mentally, socially, and academically affected by the transition from high school to college, but they should not fret, as there are many things that one can do to prepare for these changes.
Realise that the transition will be an adjustment
Transitioning from school to college requires some major adjustments. If you did well at school, don’t automatically expect that you will ace your college studies too.
Many students struggle in college because they go in underprepared and over-confident. This is why it’s important to do all the preparation you can ahead of the transition. You should be prepared to go through a period of adjustment as you get to grips with the new requirements of college.
Do your research
Choosing what to study at college shouldn’t be a decision that you take without doing the proper research first. Do thorough research on the various colleges out there, the fields that may interest you, course entry requirements, and what the course materials will cover.
By doing this in matric, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect from your college studies and you’ll feel confident that you’re making the right decisions. Without thorough research, you may find yourself studying something that you don’t enjoy or that just isn’t right for you - resulting in wasted money and time.
Take time to think about your goals
When deciding what to study, you should always keep the bigger picture in mind. Be goal-oriented, thinking carefully about what you want to achieve in your career and which courses will get you there.
If you aren’t yet sure of which career appeals to you, then there is always the option to take a gap year. A gap year can be very valuable, in that it allows you to fully develop your goals, research thoroughly, and prepare yourself for the new challenge of college.
Develop the skills needed for college
College requires some different skills to school. For example, skills such as self-discipline, independence, critical thinking, time management, and creativity all become much more important at college than they are at school.
You may also need to learn more advanced study skills, such as research and analysis. By bearing these skills in mind and paying attention to developing them, you won’t be overwhelmed when you start studying. You can develop these types of skills through online short courses, work shadowing, and, of course, regular practice!
Get as much advice as you can
If you have friends or family members who have made the transition from school to college before, you can draw from their personal experiences. Ask about what the biggest adjustments were, how the skills needed in college differed from those at school, or what they feel they could have done differently to prepare properly for college.
You can also reach out to people who have studied the college courses that you are considering. This will give you a more hands-on, in-depth understanding of what these courses are like.
Time to make the big transition? Consider distance learning courses with Oxbridge Academy.
