A college admissions acceptance letter is not an endpoint; rather, it is the start of a potentially meaningful future journey. When you are readying yourself to make the high school to college transition, you know life will look radically different. You will no longer be under the watchful eye of your parents, which you might celebrate. You will benefit from so many great things: complete independence, experiencing an environment with like-minded individuals, meeting new people, and more.

However, not being under your parents’ purview might mean it will make it more challenging for you to accomplish the basics in the high school to college transition: doing your own laundry, eating right, turning in homework on time (Mom’s not around to remind you!), and more. 

Many students and their families spend the summer celebrating high school graduation but never consider the big changes ahead. Yet transitioning from high school to college requires some specific tactics, but if done successfully, you will start your college experience off on the right foot. Read on to learn more about the transition from high school to college.

Tips for Transitioning from High School to College

Transitioning from high school to college will help you learn how to set yourself up for success. We will break the transition from high school to college into social and cultural tips, academic tips, family tips, and more. 

Social and Cultural Tips

First, one of the most exciting parts of college: a bustling social life! Let’s walk through a few tips that can help you in this area.

Get to Know Your Roommate

This might sound like obvious advice, but you want to get to know your roommate well, even if you had a lackluster first impression. A negative roommate experience can color your entire first-year experience, so try to get to know your roommate in a positive light. Work on the relationship and be willing to compromise. You may have to live with this person for a year — you want to do your best to ensure it is a positive experience. 

Build a Support System

Carefully build a support system in college because you do not want to go it alone. One of the best ways to start building that support system is through your roommate and the friends you make on your residence hall floor. You may be on a freshman-only floor as a first-year student, so you will be going through “all the first-year stuff” together. Add new people to your team as soon as you can make it happen.

Your family will always be your support system, but you’ll need an extended support system when you go to college, so cultivate that support system.

Expect the Culture to Be Different

The culture of the college will likely be different, particularly if you choose to attend college in another part of the country. Something as simple as ordering and eating pizza might seem foreign. Get prepared for new experiences by looking at online resources to become familiar with your future location in terms of its food, culture, and how people spend their weekends. It will help you embrace these changes in advance. Ideally, it would be helpful if students spend a couple days, especially an overnight stay during orientation, to experience the town and its businesses.

Academic Tips

College is not all about academics, as you will note from our social tips above. However, you are at college to get a great education, so read on for some academic ideas.

Do Not Hide in the Back of the Classroom

First of all, do not park yourself at the back of the classroom like you might have done in high school. You want professors to know you and like you, and the best way to do that is to make yourself known. You do not need to beat down the professor’s door during office hours, but try to get to know your professor or teaching assistant (TA) so they are more likely to help you later on down the road. (You never know when you will need it — especially if you wake up with strep on the morning of a big exam.)

Explore New Subjects (Not Just Because They Will Boost Your Resume)

Your parents might push you to major in medicine, but that might not be your life goal. You should use your time in college to explore your own preferences. If you are desperate to major in creative writing and want to spend all your time studying Hemingway, you will never be happy majoring in medicine.

Be honest with yourself and explore new classes. However, do not stop there. Look into your options for extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations. You have an opportunity to reinvent yourself in college, so take advantage of it.

Take Advantage of Campus Resources

We say it a million times when working with clients: Campus resources can make all the difference. It can make the difference between getting an “A” or a “B” on a paper, and it can make the difference between failing and not failing a class. It can also make the difference between getting a job and not. 

If you need extra help with a class, attend the study sessions. If you need help writing a huge midterm paper, go to the writing help center. Whatever your needs, fulfill them. Do not pretend like you do not need help, because that can have disastrous consequences.

Learn more: What to Do at a Career Fair and Career Counseling Assessments

Develop Good Study Habits

It’s possible to write a whole book about this one. You might not have developed the best study habits in high school because you did not need them. Let’s face it — most high school students can get through freshman English without cracking a book. Many first-year college students get caught off-guard by how difficult classes are. Do not get stuck in that situation, because it could derail your future grade point average and ability to graduate! 

Give yourself the gift of distraction-free study time and plan for study time (especially if you have a large assignment due). You will thank yourself later.  

Personal/Family Tips

When you leave your family and go off to college, you will likely miss your mom’s home-cooked meals and your sweet puppy dog. Read on to see how you can prioritize personal and family care, including from the parent perspective!

Prioritize Self-Care and Mental Health

Put your self-care and mental health first and foremost. Furthermore, expect homesickness. Give yourself time as you adjust to college life. It is kind of like moving a dog from a shelter to your home — they need time to adjust to their new surroundings. Give yourself that same kind of time. Nobody gets used to a new place immediately, and you want to do everything you can to adjust — you are facing a new living space, new classrooms, new places to eat, new friends, and more. 

If you are feeling stuck in any area, get help. You do not want to wait until you are in trouble academically and can’t climb out, or until you think you might be battling more than a small case of homesickness. Colleges are filled with people who care about students; otherwise, why would they work there? Get help as soon as you think you might have a problem.

Understand You Will Miss Family Events

If you are twelve hours away from home, you cannot be present for every birthday party or family function. Mentally prepare yourself to buffer any disappointment or guilty feelings about missing important moments. If you can, Zoom or FaceTime when you can to be able to “join” the fun!

Develop a New Communication Routine With Family

As students get more involved in campus life and activities, they will likely develop a new communication routine, so parents should plan to accept that. You might only talk to your family once a week after you get settled in and start to become actively involved in campus life. Parents should strive to have their children build independence and utilize campus resources rather than expect them to often call home all the time.

Parents: Let Students Work Through Challenges

Parents need to let go and let students work through their challenges. Students who solve their own problems can find the right campus resources to transition more effectively. Encourage your kids to find the appropriate campus personnel to answer their questions rather than jumping in right away to solve any issues that crop up.

Parents: Encourage Academic and Social Experiences

Students will have new opportunities to grow in college, which may lead to new passions. This may mean a new major or career aspirations. Many students thrive when exploring elective classes, performing in theatre programs, and participating in athletic opportunities. Parents need to be supportive, even when they are surprised when a new change occurs. From a parent perspective, it might be disappointing at first to learn about a major or career path change, but parents need to be realistic and open when their child discovers new interests in college.

Real Life Tips

There is some strategy involved in keeping in communication with the college or university over the summer, as with preparing yourself for your career. 

Communicate with Admissions Over the Summer

Continue to communicate with admissions in the summer months. You will receive plenty of emails, such as requests for final transcripts, housing information, and orientation. Students need to respond to admissions departments in a timely manner, otherwise, they may perceive that you’re not planning to attend. 

Additionally, admissions officials enjoy hearing from students who are excited about campus life. They are equally happy to answer any questions or address any concerns that they may have. Do not forget to send thank you notes to thank them for their assistance!

Keep Admissions Professionals on Your Contact List

Admissions officials are rooting for students’ success, and beginning college life can be intimidating for many. Admissions officials are often students’ first friends on campus, as they built a meaningful relationship with them during the recruiting process. Students should maintain this relationship as admission officials are invested in their journeys while on campus. People in admissions offices have even helped students secure part-time jobs and internships (even internships in high school) in collaboration with the career advising office. 

Learn more about what to do on the first day of your internship.

Get Yourself Career Ready

Think it is too early to get your resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview game ready? Think again. Even as a first-year college student, it is important to start getting all those items in shipshape. Start organizing your information and contact Campus to Career Crossroads for further information about the most up-to-date strategies on marketing yourself and your personal brand. 

Think you do not have much to put on a resume? Again, think again. You can put your high school jobs on your resume. We have had clients include the following on resumes: 

• Barista at a local coffee shop
• Grocery store cashier
• Lifeguard at a community pool
• Camp counselor during summer break
• Fast food crew member
• Referee for youth sports leagues
• Yard work or lawn mowing business
• Peer tutor for younger students

Also, as soon as you start getting involved on campus, you can also add to your resume and LinkedIn. Many students include the following clubs and organizations on their resumes:

• Student government association
• Campus ministry or faith-based group
• Cultural or identity-based club
• Academic honor society
• Volunteer or community service group
• Intramural sports team
• Debate or public speaking club
• Major-specific professional association (like pre-med or business club)
• Campus newspaper or media team
• Environmental or sustainability club

Learn more: How to Choose a Career as a Teenager

Set a FAFSA Reminder

You will need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year, so set a calendar reminder to get it done starting on October 1. Now, it is true that over the past couple of years, FAFSA availability has been a bit of a wild card. Hopefully the FAFSA will be available on October 1 from here on out. File it when it is available every year you are in school.

Store College-Related Passwords Somewhere Safe

Here is one thing not all families consider: Keep all college-related passwords somewhere safe, whether you agree to store them on a parent’s password-protected computer or another location. You will be amazed at the number of college-related passwords you will end up with (including for the FAFSA!). It is handy to know exactly where to go when you need password access.

Legal Tips

Legal stuff may not be the most exciting part of heading off to college, but it is important to consider what you need to do to prepare yourself for college. Yes, it might involve getting a lawyer on your side.

Know the Letters FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that allows parents to have access to their children’s education records, the right to seek having them amended, and some control over personal information from the education records. FERPA rights transfer from parents to students when the student turns 18.

The college or university you attend will let you know of your rights under the law to keep your personal information protected. This means that some records may be disclosed to your parents if you make a formal written request to the school, you are under 24 years old, and you’re listed as a dependent on your parent’s tax returns. 

You can file a privacy form (a FERPA waiver) that permits the school to share select information with parents. Otherwise, the school can withhold information to stay FERPA compliant. Other information (such as health information) may fall outside the school’s FERPA policy — every school’s policy is different. Discuss this as a family so you’re all on the same page.

Sign a HIPAA Medical Information Release

Medical privacy and personal health information at age 18 is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Health care providers can’t disclose a patient’s medical record or discuss health status or treatment recommendations with anyone, even the parent of a young adult still on a parent health insurance plan.

However, parents can get limited information about treatment and test results if you are still on your parents’ health insurance plan. You must give your parents access to your records and permission to speak with health care providers by signing a HIPAA medical information release form and name the individuals on the form to whom you grant access.

You can get a HIPAA release form online or through your doctor’s office. Note that some states require a witness or notary. You can sign a HIPAA form you download from the internet to keep in your parents’ files in case of emergency.

Discuss Durable Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney

If you were to become incapacitated (could not take care of yourself), a durable power of attorney would allow your parents to handle your financial affairs — student loan bills, car payments, pay taxes, and access bank accounts. Consult an attorney for more information about what this could mean for you and what it covers, because it varies in many states. It might even cover you if you plan to study abroad.

Young adults should also sign a medical power of attorney, which appoints an individual to make decisions about health care if you become incapacitated due to serious injury or illness. Here is what happens if you do not have a medical power of attorney document: Your parents could face legal costs and face a time-consuming process to secure guardianship rights in court so they can make medical decisions for you. Scary, huh? 

Learn more about your state’s rules governing medical power of attorney documents; some states require a witness signature or notary seal. Research the documents in your home state and the state where you are going to school. Estate planning documents are complicated, so do not do anything without a lawyer’s help.

Parents: Consider Creating a Living Will

Everyone with a family needs a living will, sometimes called an advance directive, identifies personal choices about medical treatment in the event that you cannot communicate wishes yourself. If you have not already done so, get one of these important documents.

A living will is different from a last will and testament, which describes how you want your property and assets divided when you die. A living will shows how you want things to occur while you are still alive. Consult an attorney to help you determine the estate planning documents you need.

Prepare for the College Transition so You Can Relax

Getting ready for transition from high school to college challenges allows you to rest better at night. After all, who wants to worry about what is going to happen in the future? From legal tips to academic tips, we’ve got you covered. 

Have questions? Reach out to Campus to Career Crossroads for help with how to make the transition from high school to college. We can guide you through each step and help you begin your journey of the college admissions process.

FAQs

Read through our frequently asked questions in case you still have more questions.

Is the transition from high school to college hard?

The transition from high school to college can pose challenges to many students, particularly in terms of academic responsibilities. However, our team at Campus to Career Crossroads can help counsel you to help point you in the right direction, so reach out to us for even more preparation for the transition and college planning for high school.

Is going to college right after high school worth it?

Yes, absolutely. For the right person, it can be a great way to achieve your goals, and for some people, it is the fastest way to accomplish their goals. For example, if you want to become a doctor or a lawyer, you have to go to college, and one of the quickest ways to accomplish that goal is to get started on college right after high school. Learn more about how to enter the workforce after college.

Which is the hardest year in college?

This opinion differs between people. Some individuals believe the first year of college is the most difficult (because they have to get used to a new routine, classes, and more), while some individuals believe the last year of college is the most difficult (because you have to get ready for the next step—career or graduate school, and make big decisions).