Top 5 High School To College Transition Tips


Monday, July 11, 2022

The actual transition from high school to college can be challenging for both parents and students. We share 5 high school to college transition tips from experts to ease the important process.



Students should start protecting their emotional well-being even before they are on campus.

Media attention on admissions frequently highlights scandals, absurdly low acceptance rates, and other topics that make people -especially students and their parents- anxious. This leads to an excessive amount of time being spent trying to improve the college application process for certain kids and those who support them, to try to get and move into these universities.

Check this article for more details: Applying for college soon? Avoid these 5 mistakes

The actual transition from high school to college receives disproportionately less attention according to experts in an article from nytimes.com.

The way students tackle this critical period of adjustment can determine whether or not they have a successful college career. If ignored, it can result in dissatisfaction, disinterest, or in the worst scenario, disenrollment.

Take into account these tips from experts in their field who have assisted young adults and their families during times of change according to an article at Forbes.com.

1. Mental Health Check

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a large number of teenagers are struggling. At least 1 in 3 high school students have said to feel sadness or hopelessness, a 40% increase since 2009.

But when it’s time to help teenagers prepare for college or postsecondary school, mental health is the least of the priority for parents. A 2017 survey reported that more than 700 parents and guardians did not discuss whether their teens felt any anxiety or depression.

Both parents and teenagers need to start making plans now to prepare for and maintain mental health during the significant move to college.

Experts say that well-intentioned remarks implying that college years are the pinnacle of life don't truly benefit college students. There will be good and bad days for every student, therefore we shouldn't make any assumptions otherwise.

“Instead, we can focus on the fact that colleges are designed to help students grow, and that all growth comes with its ups and downs.”, according to Lisa Damour, Ph.D., author of “untangled: Guiding teenage girls through the seven transitions into adulthood”.

2. Take Your Time

Experts seem to have reached a collective consensus that the first year should be thought of as ‘The Getting Comfortable year’ to relieve the pressure.

Harlan Cohen, bestselling author of “The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College”, agrees: since “allows for the normal and natural discomfort that comes with change”.

We are frequently excited and even distracted by the many changes simultaneously taking place in our adaptation to the new surroundings and in establishing routines when moving to somewhere new, such as a college or university campus, or living in a different location or community.

3. Embrace Change

When the novelty and thrill of the change has worn off, people may realize they may have forgotten to find local resources or support "networks" in their new location.

“We strongly encourage students to identify sources of connection in their new community as they begin their transition and before moving to campus. Networks of support on a college campus could be First-year Advisors or Counselors, Resident Assistants (RAs), professors and university staff members, peer groups with similar interests, or from similar communities”, says Megan Corazza, Ed.D. Counseling Department Chair, Sage Creek High School, CA.

4. Dance To Your Own Beat

Anthony E. Jones, M.Ed., Vice-President of Enrollment Management and Student Experience, Bethune-Cookman University shares that in his opinion: “There is a rhythm to college life. Every student habitually settles into a waltz with their environment as they navigate the daily dynamics of their lived experience, and so will you. So, create good habits and enjoy the dance."

“Studying is important, but also finding a community that will sustain you for the next few years is probably more important right now.” shares – Denise Pope, Ph.D., Challenge Success co-founder, Stanford University senior lecturer, author of “Doing School”: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed-Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students”.

5. Taking Care Of Yourself

Make a plan for how you will manage your stress. Stress can result from the very things that make college so wonderful. College is a period of enormous growth because it introduces you to new people, challenges you in the classroom, and leaves you unsure of your place in society..

The typical college student sleeps far too little. For learning, sleep is essential. creativity, physical prowess, and mental wellness.

Ned Johnson, co-author, “The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives” explains that “because sleep deprivation has the same corrosive effects on bodies and brains as stress does, ‘pay yourself first.’ Structure your time for sufficient (49-63 hours a week) and regular sleep and then ‘spend’ the rest of your time on all the things that matter to you inside and out of class.”

Whatever the shape or form you choose to communicate, just make sure you do especially to your parents, since they may want to hear from you to make sure you are ok.

Pope explains in an article for Forbes.com that “both sides need to agree that daily communication is probably unnecessary – but that a regular weekly or (insert appropriate interval here) check-in might make sense, especially at the beginning.”

So there you have it—5 expert tips to ease the transition from high school to college form experts. Feel free to explore more about the educational programs we offer.

To register, please fill out the form on the right side of the page. You will get in touch with an academic counselor who can provide you additional information about your future career, you can also browse our website.




Get Instant Information about the University

By clicking “Get Information Now,” I hereby authorize besthighschools.info, their dependents, subcontractors, or associates to contact me in regards to education proposals offered by universities in the United States.