For my topic, I searched to find literature that would discuss the transition freshmen go through as they start their college experience. I found multiple articles written for university websites, written by college professors, college councilors, and college students themselves. There are so many resources out there for freshman who are just starting out college and their families.
Many articles written for college websites explained that freshmen will have to face multiple transitions. They will need to learn to manage their time on their own, because they will not have professors and parents to push them to do so ("Adjusting to College"). Relationships are going to change and people are not going to stay in touch with all of the people they knew in high school, but that is all normal (Central College- "Making the Transition"). Though it can be scary to start in a new place, everyone is working at making new friends, and learning how to take on the new found responsibilities and freedoms gained by going to college (NC State- "Adjusting to College"). Professor Duke from Emory University explain how in his forty plus years of working for the institution, and watching incoming freshman get settled in their new home, he knows it is both an emotional experience for the child and the parents. He assures parents that their college kids will be alright, and that it just takes time (Duke). Though Professor Duke says college kids will be ok, this was hard to believe for many of us freshmen at first. Guidance and college councilor, Beverly Low, talks about how common it is for college students to be homesick. This article hit home, as she discussed the importance of college kids needed to grow from the experience, and give it time, that freshmen have to be realistic and know homesickness is a temporary condition, and that is really will go away with time (Low). Even College Confidential, The Washington Post, and The New York Times have advice to give incoming freshmen. Lessons that we all know well, and have been taught are reiterated in the articles. The Washington Post explains the importance of finding and sticking to a daily routine, learning to be independent from your parents, get involved, be safe, and if you need help ask for it (Johnson). Steinberg's article reminds us that college is a time to figure out what it is that you truly value, and work towards your goals. Things are not going to be handed to you and you have to work to get what you want (Steinberg). College confidential even brings home the basic points that while you are on your own in college, you need to think about what it is that you really want, continue to be yourself and make friends, and find time to time manage and get all your work done ("The First Year College Experience-College Confidential"). Though these points are the same throughout many of the articles, the books, and studies, it highlights an important concept. College is hard, especially your freshman year. The transition is going to be tough, you are going to have to learn how to manage and take care of yourself, and be your own person, but all of it takes time (Moustki). |