Although the transition from high school to college is significant in scope, we also should be mindful of the realities behind how students develop. Today’s college students do not make the jump into adulthood quickly. Rather, they have been identified as “twixters” as within “emerging adulthood” from ages eighteen to twenty-five.

Aspects that students struggle with during these transitions include decision making, acceptance of responsibility, and thinking beyond both the short term and the big picture. Consequently, incoming students are likely to have some difficulty with certain skills and thoughts being encountered.

The Ten Transitional Stages of First-Year Students (taken from Zucker) as described below should orient you to what your student is likely to go through from the summer before college through the fall semester and beyond. By understanding these stages, you can understand what your student is encountering and how to respond accordingly.

 1)    Post-High School Satisfaction/Pre-College Elation. At this stage, students experience much excitement over the prospect of attending college. Expectations tend to be unrealistic and based on glimpses of college from campus visits or the movies.

2)    Early Separation Anxiety. As they begin to pack and prepare for college, students realize that they are actually leaving behind their support systems and family/friends.

3)    Acute Separation Anxiety. They experience emotional moments with loved ones. They realize they do not know the unwritten rules of this new campus culture. As this stage, it is especially critical to meet experienced older students, such as RAs, who can assist with the adjustment period.

4)  The Honeymoon. This is a time of euphoria as students anticipate intellectual excitement and a satisfying social life. Students feel ready to experience all that campus life has to offer.

5)    End of Honeymoon. Students realize that college life consists of hard work, frustration, and disappointment. Normal events such as class schedule changes may be unsettling. Initial grades may be lower than expected, which can come as a shock to the students who “coasted” through high school. Students may work much harder than ever before, only to receive lower grades. At this point, students often experience feelings of homesickness. Students should realize that this is normal and that they are not alone.

6)    The Grass is Always Greener. Midway through the first year, students often think that they can solve their problems by transferring. At this point, students should be encouraged to give the college they are attending at least a full year’s try. Students should be reminded that they might have had a worse experience at another school and situations that seem impossible in the first semester often disappear altogether later in the year.

7)    You Can’t Go Home Again. A first visit home is often traumatic due to a sense that things have changed. Reunited high school friends tend to exaggerate college success. At this time, students may realize that they themselves have changed and may long to return to campus.

8)    Learning to Cope. After about six weeks, students have learned their way around and are expanding their circle of friends. Their self-confidence increases and they participate in more activities.

9) Fear of Failure. Students often panic around the time of midterm or final exams. Students should be reminded that thorough course preparation is the best way to ensure a good grade. Warning signs with indicate trouble are panic attacks, procrastination, sleeping over 12 hours/day, and avoidance of academic responsibilities.

10) Putting it All Together. By the middle of the second semester, students notice that classes, residence life, and social activities have come together into a well-integrated lifestyle. Students are more confident, better able to make decisions, and are aware of opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.

 You can help your student through this transition by serving as a supporter and a listener, by knowing the resources available on campus to support your student, and by encouraging your student to seek out assistance on campus if they find they continue to struggle with the transition.

References

 Taylor, M. (2006, November). Helicopters, snowplows, and bulldozers: Managing students’ parents. Association of College Unions International, 13-21.

Zucker, F. Transitional trauma: Predictable stages in the transition from high school to college.