Adjusting to Post-Secondary Life After High School

How to make the most of your transition from high school to college.

Going from high school to post-secondary education is a big step in any student's life. It's especially difficult when you don't know what to expect. It's always a challenge starting somewhere new and embarking on a new journey, but with the right information and guidance, you can make a seamless transition.

I know from personal experience that transitioning from high school to college is challenging. It's a completely different atmosphere, environment and experience. In order to make your experience a little easier, here are a few things you should know:

Be prepared for longer classes.

You might think that your high school classes are long, but you haven't experienced a three hour class yet. Don't worry too much about the length, the time will fly by with the mixture of application and lecture content. As long as you are ready to learn and pay attention to the content throughout the class, it will not seem so tiring or long.

Be prepared to ask for what you need.

At college or university, you are in a more independent setting. If you need accommodations for your learning, need help with homework, or even just need to set up your passwords, you will have to set out to find the answers and speak up.

As a college or university student, you need to be a self-starter and jump at the opportunities that come your way, because no one will just give them to you. There are so many opportunities available to you throughout your time at college, so go looking for them and seek out the experiences you want.

Learn about the services your school offers.

On your first day, make sure to go around your campus and find the services you will need throughout your year. As mentioned, you need to seek out what you need. There are many services offered at college, including a centre for student with disabilities, tutoring services, food, sports, IT services, professor office hours, a library and academic advising, among many others.

Attend orientation.

Whether you see the value in orientation or not, it is an important part of the transition from high school into post-secondary life. You will get to know your campus, fellow students and professors, you will get a look at what to expect from your program, and you will learn about services to ease your transition once you start.

There are many ways to help yourself transition from high school to college that will make your life easier. Whether you feel ready or not, these tips will help you gain insight into your time at college and how to move through your first week at your new school. Once you get used to your new environment, there are a few things to keep in mind: Be mindful of your mental health and that of others, develop your independent study skills, analytical reading skills and college-level writing skills, learn to balance your social and school life and explore new subjects so you can learn what you are passionate about. If you are looking for more information on the difference between college and high school, take a look at this page.

Savanah Salazaar