The reality of transitioning into college is getting closer and closer. I automatically thought that the transition would be as simple as going from middle school to high school. But then I really had to sit and think about all of the upcoming responsibilities.

I’ll need to choose my own classes, go to classes all on my own, pay for my housing, pay for my own school supplies, pay for food, get a job, taxes, and so much more. It’s sooooo much to learn in such a short amount of time between senior year and college.

This is where I discovered the Freshman Myth. It’s when a college freshman thinks that college will be filled with big & easy expectations. Usually, they end up entirely unprepared and have a tough transition into college.

If I were to head into college next semester, I think the transition would be a slap in the face. I usually don’t have to study much for my tests and rarely have to do any homework. But I know the workload will be much more rigorous, and the tests will require long hours of studying.
Luckily, I am taking a few dual-credit classes that give me a glimpse into what the college workload is like. I’ve found that I’m lacking in time management and need to be very organized to do my assignments on time and with quality.

In college, I plan to juggle a Public Relations degree, a Marketing Minor, Track Practices + Meets, Content creation/Influencing, Freelance graphic design, clubs, and going to creative events. All of this without careful planning and time management is a recipe for disaster.

I’ve also heard that making friends in college can be difficult. People may be introverted, anti-social, or just rude. It’s easier to make friends in high school since you see the same people around you every day. It’s like you have no other choice but to become friends with them or stay lonely. I thought college would be the same way until I heard the complaints of people actually in college.

To make sure I don’t crash on my own, I compiled a list of tips and skills I need to learn & grow.

Skills Needed:

Budgeting

Time-Management

Good Study Habits

Self Care

Anti-Stress Coping Habits

Tips:

Prepare, prepare, prepare

Life Balance

Get Things Done BEFORE They’re Due: Stop procrastinating, get a planner

Journal about what you think your college experience will be like (accurately)

Take advantage of campus resources

The transition out of high school, whether into college or straight into life will inevitably be tricky. But it’s up to us whether we’ll make it harder for ourselves or easier.