Succeeding in college is rather like succeeding in life. It\u2019s really much more about you than it is about college. So the most important place to start is to consider why you\u2019re here, what matters to you, and what you expect to get out it. Even if you have already thought about these questions, it\u2019s good to reaffirm your commitment to your plan as we begin to consider what\u2019s really involved in being a college student.<\/p>\n
Take a few minutes and write down short answers to the questions in Activity 1. Be honest with yourself, and write down what you really feel. You are not writing for an instructor here\u2014not what you think someone expects to hear\u2014and you are not being graded on your answers!<\/p>\n
Were you able to easily answer the questions in Activity 1? How confident do you feel about your plan?<\/p>\n
These are important questions to think about for the simple reason that students who have a clear plan and who are prepared to overcome possible obstacles that may arise along the way are much more likely to succeed in college. In other words, just thinking in a positive way about your future can help that future come true!<\/p>\n
The word values refers to things that matter to a person. What makes you feel good? What things would you be doing if you had all the time, money, and opportunities in the world? Questions like these help us define our own values. Every individual has his or her own values. Thinking about your own values can help you know what you want from life and from college. Take a moment and consider the list of things in Activity 2 that are valued by some people. For each value, rate how important that thing is to you.<\/p>\n
It is important to understand how college is different from high school and how well your own past educational experiences have prepared you for what you will find in college. This is another way in which entering college \u201cwith your eyes wide open\u201d will prove beneficial.<\/p>\n
College is a unique experience for all students\u2014whether you just graduated from high school or are returning to education after years of working. You are transitioning from one form of education to another. Some students have difficulty because of the differences between college and high school.<\/p>\n
Generally speaking, however, the college experience is usually different from high school in these ways:<\/p>\n