Transitioning from High School to College

Families will soon be preparing their high school children for the changes that college brings. Juniors and seniors in high school should start thinking about college early, not only preparing to select the right institution, but also preparing for the transition from high school to college life.

This is one of the reasons that parents should assist students in this process. The transition from high school to college can be difficult. In most instances, this is a matter of overall maturity. At the same time, these changes have to do with knowing what to expect. The more students understand about college life, the more they can prepare and transition.

Living in a Dorm

Most freshmen come to their campuses never having lived away from home. They may also not be accustomed to living in close quarters with others. High school students should make an effort to understand and prepare for dorm life in college. Reading material about campus rules and individual dorms can be helpful. A planned visit to dorms before beginning schools can also assist students in knowing what to expect.

Responsible Study Habits

One of the important things for students to remember about college is that they will have new responsibility. Parents will not be around to chaperone activities and study habits. This means that students must adopt habits that will allow them to get their studies completed. They will need to use organization and scheduling in this process.

Time Management

Time management is absolutely essential for college students. Most campuses have a list of extracurricular activities and events. Coordinating your time for school and time for other things is important. This will allow students to participate and socialize while achieving their academic goals. Being able to manage your time well is the best way to showcase maturity and preparation for higher education.

College can certainly be the most influential time in a child’s life. Much of the information and skills learned during this period will follow students throughout their careers. Learning to transition will allow students to focus on their goals and enjoying what their school has to offer. 

Tips for Handling College Roommate Problems

Everyone attending college with plans to room with another student is apprehensive about how things will go with a new roommate. This is an exciting time and everyone hopes for a pleasant experience. Most often, things turn out fine and each roommate quickly finds a new friend to help make the college transition easier. Occasionally though, there are roommate problems and here are some tips on dealing with them.

Mutual Respect - When sharing a room, it is important to respect each other's privacy and personal belongings. It is not okay to assume you can borrow something without asking. It is also not okay to eat and drink food and beverages that belong to your roommate unless offered to you. The relationship will fare much better if both roommates respect each other.

If your roommate does not respect your things or your privacy, you do not have to tolerate it. You should first politely discuss any issues with your roommate, and hopefully that will be the end of it. If not, it may become necessary to mention the problem once again, and if the roommate continues the behavior, you should take up the matter with the dormitory resident advisor.

Don't Live in Misery - If you just cannot tolerate your roommate and spending an entire semester or year with them is just more than you can bear, it is important to take steps to remedy the situation quickly. If you are miserable in the rooming situation, it will affect how well you do in school. Odds are if you are not happy with your roommate, they probably feel the same way you do.

First give considerable thought to what it is you do not like about your roommate. Do they party too much or have friends over too often? Are they messy or have terribly annoying habits? Some things may be fixable, and some may not. If the situation just isn't going to work, it is a good idea to discuss the problem with the resident advisor. Sometimes just talking to someone else about a problem is a big step toward solving it.

Remember that people are different, and not all people are compatible. Keep in mind that you will be attending school for two to four years, so avoid making an enemy if at all possible. You can discuss your feelings with your roommate without becoming angry, and while it is important to vent your frustrations, you should be willing to listen to their side as well.

Often times it may be that neither of you did anything wrong; maybe you just found a better fit for a roommate. Most importantly, address the situation maturely and honestly. Even if the situation ends with the two of you parting ways, it is still best to get things out in the open and make the change so that both of you can get your mind back on your studies and move on.

College Costs - Personalizing the Dorm Room

There are so many costs associated with college other than tuition and textbooks. Planning ahead and researching what these costs are can save parents from a big shock as the time nears for their child to leave for college.

Other expenses to expect are meal plans, housing, various campus fees (i.e. parking permits), club memberships, and many other supplies and incidentals. Then there are the costs for the items required in the dormitory living quarters.

One college campus housing department noted that some students are known to spend more than $350 on their dormitory bed linens and other move-in accessories. Of course, parents want their children to have living quarters that are comfortable and homey, but this can be accomplished for less.

One source parents and students can visit online is www.rhl.org "Residence Hall Linens and Dorm Bedding." They offer discounted value packs tailored around the dormitory student. It is a great place to browse even if it is just to create a checklist of things you'll need that are often forgotten.

It is easy to take some things for granted when you are suddenly away from home. Some items that come in handy in a dorm room include a sewing kit, a tool kit (helpful on move-in day), a comfortable mattress pad, and first aid supplies.

Students with laptops will want to be sure they have the necessary security locks to prevent loss from theft. They'll want a clothes hamper for dirty clothes, and a laundry bag is helpful for transporting items to and from the laundry area.

A shower pack is recommended and should contain waterproof sandals, a toothbrush case, a snap-cover soap dish, a plastic cup, and a tote for bath items (shampoo, toothpaste, and conditioner). Keeping things clean and covered is essential for proper hygiene in the dormitory setting.

Other items you might want to consider are specially designed garment and shoe organizers. The idea is to purchase items that can be used for multiple semesters and are designed to require minimal space because dorm rooms are typically small.

A college bound student can set up housekeeping in the dorm room without breaking the budget. It just requires bit of planning and shopping to find the best solutions at the best prices.