First year college students have to deal with the wide range of challenges. The successful integration into college life depends on the ability of the student to make transition into the new role of a college student. There are several inside and outside issues determining the successful college experience such as: student’s commitment, experience at college, academic performance, social network, peer groups, and communities outside the college. For many students, the first year at college is an important step in their life passages. Nevertheless, despite of the expected challenges, it is hardly possible to avoid social and academic integration challenges, department from families and control of parents, and opportunity to have fun while forgetting about the importance of studying.
The first challenge freshmen students face is having
too much fun and no time for studying. In other words, they lack time
management skills. Staying away from the home for the first time, students take
advantage of every opportunity they have to enjoy their newly gained freedom.
As the result, they end up with poor grades, missed deadlines, and inadequate
test outcomes. The need to study is realized only when the finals are
approaching and the student realizes that no material has been learnt. In order
to overcome this challenge, college students need to develop proper schedules
and allow sufficient time for studying.
The second challenge is cultural and social
integration. While high school seniors enjoyed popularity in their schools,
they may find it difficult to join the social groups at college as they are
newcomers and their achievements may not be impressive for the college
community. Inability to fit the culture, for example, may result in the social
exclusion and contribute to stress, depression, and lack of interesting in
studying and communication with peers. Instead of walking up to other students
and introducing themselves, some students prefer staying in their rooms or
going to the library. Lack of friendship and peer support make the student feeling
overwhelmed, isolated and lonely. At this point, the decision to return home is
rather common. In order to overcome this challenge, first year students should
not be shy to talk to other students, to introduce themselves, and strive to
participate in diverse college community projects. In other words, first year
students should be visible to others.
The third but not the least important challenge is
academic workload. Many students are not prepared for the academic workload at
college and they do not keep up with all assignments and homework. They have to
read and write a lot and are expected to have deep understanding of the course
materials. Students are no longer treated as irresponsible children; they are
treated as adults with responsibilities. In addition, academic challenge
requires being self-reliant in time management. Some students may end up
cheating (coping homework from online resources) with the hope of not being
caught. The consequences of such a choice are immediate and the trust to
student is lost. In order to deal with this challenge effectively, students
should ask professors and tutors for help and clarification. Most college
professors are rather friendly and willing to help a student.
In conclusion, first year college students may find
it difficult to make successful transition into college life. Yesterday’s high
school students are today’s freshmen who have to deal with newly gained
freedom, plan their time carefully, make new friends, fit the new social
groups, and handle academic workload.
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