Successful Transitions
10 Tips for College Freshmen

There will be so much on your mind when you are about to say goodbye to high school and start your college career. You will be excited and perhaps a little worried about the workload and the new social scene on your campus. And, if you are living away from home for the first time, you are about to experience new living arrangements, food, and daily routines, and all of these will be very different from the life you know.

I've watched college freshmen go through this transition for nearly 30 years and from this, I've noticed that some handle the change much better than others. What makes for a smooth transition to the social aspects of college life? Lots of things. But here are 10 strategies for a successful transition to college that I've observed to be most helpful.

1. Communicate regularly with the people at home. Establish a minimal schedule of phone calls or emails to your family so you commit to keeping up regular contact. I've seen students cut off contact with their families, especially when things don't seem to be going well (such as when their grades suffer or the student is engaged in social activities parents won't approve of). Don't sever your tie to your family. Your family still cares about you and can be tremendously helpful as you transition to college life.

2. Commit to your new environment. I've seen new students who go home at every opportunity and who don't make an effort to meet new people on campus. Your family and high school friends are important, but so, too, are the people around you. Embrace new friendships and actively seek them. Otherwise, you'll be living in your past and never fully acclimate to college life.

3. Pay attention when you are sick. You may never before have had to determine on your own whether you are sick enough to warrant medical attention. I've seen students dismiss obvious symptoms of illness, making matters much worse than they need to be. Have a digital thermometer at school with you and use it to take your temperature if you're not feeling well. Admit when symptoms of illness or injury persist. Go to your campus health center or another health care provider if you're not sure if you need medical help. Let medical professionals decide for you; that's part of their job.

4. Join. Your campus will have a dizzying number of extracurricular activities available to you. Choose at least one and join it. You will make new friends, fill your time in a positive way, and feel more connected to your new school. Also, commit to attending campus programs; go to the football or basketball game, the concert, the lecture. Do this even if you wouldn't naturally gravitate toward such programs. Try new things and participate – that's the key.

5. Choose a healthy lifestyle. The "Freshmen 15" is real. (That's the tendency for college students to put on 15 pounds during their first year on campus.) Your college dining hall will be filled with lots of great food choices. You could choose to gorge on French fries and ice cream. Don't. Opt instead for the salad bar. Your friends may also entice you to eat pizza with them every night or to go to an all-night doughnut shop with them at 3:00 a.m. Occasional blow-outs like these are fun and won't do much harm. However, frequent caloric overindulgence will catch up with you. Eat a balanced diet and don't be a stranger to your college gymnasium. And, hard as it may be, get the sleep you need. There's no shame in saying no and going to bed early when you're tired.

6. Dress for the weather. Check the forecast before you head out each morning. Become acquainted with an umbrella. Many high school students would rather be caught dead than carrying an umbrella, but trust me, it's OK to have an umbrella in college and you'll be glad to have one. Wear warm clothes when it is cold. I know that sounds like silly advice, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen a college student shiver in my class or on campus because he or she is wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals when it is freezing outside. Be sensible.

7. Guard your safety. College students are sometimes lulled into believing that they are safe when they're not. Always be aware of where you are and who is around you. Don't leave your backpack or other belongings unsupervised. Lock your dorm room or apartment when you leave it. Take steps to ensure that you're not walking in the dark by yourself. Go with a friend or take advantage of your campus escort service if you have one. Plan ahead and make good decisions so you don't put yourself in a dangerous situation.

8. Don't loan or borrow. Every college residence hall or apartment seems to have at least one person who asks to borrow clothes, money, even a car from a fellow resident. Don't be that person and don't loan anything to that person. I've seen terrible things happen and friendships destroyed when expensive or sentimental things are loaned and never returned or returned with damage.

9. Take pride in your school. Wear school T-shirts and sweatshirts. Learn and sing your school song and cheer. Put a school decal on your parents' cars. I've observed that students who are proud of their school and show the world their pride in these ways seem to make a better adjustment to campus life.

10. Seek help. If you're not feeling right about your transition to college life, seek out the help offered to you on campus. Your resident advisor (RA) may be a good starting place. Also look into your school's counseling services. Many students need a little help in adjusting and there's absolutely nothing wrong in seeking that help. In fact, it's the smart thing to do.

Editorial by Laura Hills, M.A., Executive Director of University Advancement / Professor of English Virginia International University, Fairfax, Virginia.