Transitioning to College
Deciding to Attend College
The decision to attend college may be one of the most important in your life. Forbes reports that "the economic benefits of a college education remain numerous, substantial and durable" (2020, January 15). Those who earn a bachelor's degree are more likely to be employed, earn higher median salaries, are to be engaged within their communities.
Although the benefits to earning a college degree are significant, the transition to college can be intimidating. It can require you to step outside of your comfort zone and into a new and unfamiliar environment. It is important to know that you are not alone and some level of anxiety as you begin college is normal. However, it is often our fear of failure in college, rather than our actual failure, that is the source of student anxiety (Cox, 2009). Believing in yourself, having the right mindset, and seeking help can ensure that you are successful in that transition.
" How to Get Over the Fear of Starting College " by Thomas Frank,
located https://youtu.be/7Gv7natvOcw
Attributions
"How to Get Over the Fear of Starting College" by Thomas Frank, located https://youtu.be/7Gv7natvOcw
References
Cox, R. D. (2009). “It was just that I was afraid.” Promoting success by addressing students' fear of failure. Community College Review, 37(1), 52-80. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0091552109338390
Nietzel, M. T. (2020, January 15). New evidence documents that a college degree pays off - by a lot. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2020/01/15/new-evidence-documents-that-a-college-degree-pays-off-by-a-lot/?sh=15b48e673a98
First-Year Success
The initial transition to a new college or university can be challenging. You are learning to navigate a different environment with new people and places. This is likely in part why only 75% of first-time freshman are reported to return for their second year in college (National Student Clearinghouse, 2020). Research has explored the factors affecting student success. Although there are many and success is defined in different ways, most agree that student involvement and connections to campus are a critical component of your success. As such, institutions are committed to creating programs that support your transition.
First-Year Experience Initiatives
The First-Year Experience (FYE) is a term commonly used to describe a combination of curricular and cocurricular programs to support student transition into college. Orientation is an example of a first-year experience program and one you likely participated in as you registered for classes. SHSU offers several different orientation options, including one for freshman students, transfer students, graduate students, and international students.
Following participation in orientation, it is important to become familiar with many of the programs and services at SHSU. Even if you are transferring from another college or university, services may vary or are sometimes provided through different offices on campus. The office of accepted students and orientation provides many helpful links on their website to help direct you to these important services. A few of those services are listed below:
- Academic Advising
- Bearkat OneCard Services
- Busar's Office
- Financial Aid
- Parking
- Residence Life
- Services with Disabilities
- Student Legal Services
- Student Activities
- Title IV
First-Year Experience at SHSU
Sam Houston State University also maintains a First-Year Experience office to support your transition to campus. The FYE office operates several programs including first-year learning communities, peer mentoring, Forward, and the common reader program.
Learning Communities are “small groups of students or cohorts who are placed together based on shared common academic goals” (Lane & Miller, 2019, p. 26). Sam Houston State University offers several different types of First-Year Learning Communities depending on your major, interests, or your college. Students enrolled in these communities usually take classes together, including UNIV 1101, and may live in the same residence hall together.
Peer Mentors are currently enrolled SHSU students who help other students connect with resources on campus. Peer mentors are located in the Academic Success Center and help to support students with:
- Study skills and test prep
- Planning weekly schedules that balance work, life, and school
- Information about how to seek financial assistance and scholarships
- Strategies for better communicating with faculty
Forward is a program that supports former foster youth, orphans, and wards of the court or homeless students with resources important to personal and professional success. This includes support into, through, and out of college.
The Common Reader is a program where a new book is selected each year to facilitate meaningful conversation on campus. Faculty, staff, and students engage in critical dialogues through coursework and co-curricular events.
References
Lane, F. C. & Miller, A. P. (2019). First-year seminars: A comparison of course characteristics and high-impact practices at 2-year colleges. Journal of College Academic Support Programs, 2(1), 25-35. https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/8563
National Student Clearinghouse. (2020). Persistence and retention: Fall 2019 beginning cohort. https://nscresearchcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/PersistenceRetention2021.pdf
First-Year Seminars
Many colleges offer first-year seminars in addition to some of the co-curricular programs and services discussed previously in this unit. The structure and names of these courses vary (e.g., first-year experience courses, student success courses, and frameworks courses). Some are centered around specific fields of study while others are offered as part of an extended orientation to the campus. Institutions have also broadened participation in these courses to include other important categories of first-year students, such as transfer students. Regardless, more than 86% of two-year institutions and 91% of four-year institutions are reported to offer a first-year seminar (Young & Hop, 2014). Research suggests that enrollment in a first-year seminar can positively impact persistence and retention rates (see Lang, 2007; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Schnell, & Doetkott, 2003; Porter & Swing, 2006). First-year seminars are also considered a high-impact practice that increases student engagement and success (Kuh, 2008).
Learning Frameworks (UNIV 1101)
At Sam Houston State University, first-year seminars are referred to as learning frameworks or UNIV 1101. This course provides practical strategy development and introduction to campus resources and opportunities. Each section of UNIV 1101 has an instructor and an embedded Peer Mentor. Peer mentors work with students individually and in small groups to ensure personalized attention. Students explore career paths, connect to campus resources and services and learn to develop and apply self-directed learning skills to their own academic programs and career development.
References
Kuh, G. D. (2008). High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why they matter. Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Lang, D. (2007). The impact of a first-year experience course on the academic performance, persistence, and graduation rates of first-semester college students at a public research university. Journal of the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition, 19(1), 9-25.
Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (2005). How college affects students (Vol. 2). K. A. Feldman (Ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Sam Houston State University (2021). University 1101 learning frameworks. https://www.shsu.edu/dept/fye/UNIV1101.html
Schnell, C. A., & Doetkott, C. D. (2003). First year seminars produce long-term impact. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 4(4), 377-391.
Porter, S., & Swing, R. (2006). Understanding How First-Year Seminars Affect Persistence. Research in Higher Education, 47(1), 89-109.