Embracing Change: Our Guide to a Postive College Transition

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted…now what? Starting college can be one of the most exciting periods of your life – But it can also be extremely stressful. Transitioning from the knowns of high school to the unknowns of college can cause immense amounts of stress and anxiety. 

According to a report by The American College Health Association, 63% of college students in the U.S. felt anxiety in their first semester. Honestly, this is not surprising. The transition to college brings about many new life stressors, such as living on your own, increased academic pressure, creating new social networks, balancing school and extracurriculars, and managing finances.

While the college transition can feel overwhelming, it doesn't have to be! Here are some ways to help ease the jump from high school to college and make sure you’re set up for success. 

Set Realistic Expectations

Many people expect college to be the best four years of their lives – but that is not always the case. Some people love the college experience, but many do not. And that’s OK. What college “should be” often gets over hyped in movies, shows, and on social media. These set unrealistic expectations and inevitably lead to let down. 

In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 1,206,316 students transferred in the fall of 2022 alone. That tells us that it’s pretty common to not have a magical freshman year. 

The truth is, the first year of college is different for everyone. There are highs and lows just like any other transition. It’s helpful to realign your views of college. For some, it's a social outlet, others it’s purely academic, and even more view it as a necessary stepping stone to achieve their future goals. Do not compare your college experience to anyone else’s and give yourself grace if it does not live up to your expectations. 

Build a Community 

The biggest stressor when transitioning from home to college can be a loss of community. Family, friends, and even school all give us a sense of connection and belonging. While some people might find immediate community when they enter college, others might need to take a more active role in building connections. 

First, try connecting with those in your dorm. Ask people to watch a movie in the common area or go out to dinner at the dining hall. By building connections with those physically close to you, you may start to feel more welcome in a new space. 

Once you feel connected with your residence, try branching out to the broader campus. Start by getting involved in extracurricular activities, such clubs, sports, Greek life, and more. These activities can introduce you to other students with similar interests and help build friendships. 

Finally, connect your major. You can start by attending office hours, scheduling study dates, and joining organizations in your major. By getting to know the students and professors in the same area of study, you’ll feel supported through your academic career.

Plus, building a community on campus not eases the transition, it actually helps our mental health. According to The Journal of College Student Development, there is a positive correlation between campus involvement and positive psychological well-being. 

Ask for Help

You don’t have to manage the college transition alone! The best way to make a healthy transition is to lean on supports and ask for help when needed. Just because you’re not living at home, you still have access to support from family and friends. Keep lines of communication open. Check in through text and phone calls. Close relationships provide us with a sense of safety and allow us to reach out for support when times are tough. 

Therapy can also be a huge support when transitioning from high school to college. In fact, the rate of mental health treatment for college students continues to rise. If you already have a therapist you trust, try to schedule consistent appointments through the college transition. Remaining connected with a therapist during this time can better help you identify stressors and build skills to manage distress.

Most colleges also offer mental health support on campus. If you’d like to start therapy, try reaching out to your school’s mental health services department to access care. Additionally, they can provide you with local services providers who can also offer support. 

The transition from high school to college can feel exciting, overwhelming, and everything in between. By following our simple guide, we hope you’re able to have a stress-free transition into this next phase of life. You’ve got this!