Easing the transition to college

June 26, 2003

EDITOR'S NOTE: This document may be reproduced in whole or in part. Please credit Maurice Elias, professor of psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

NEW BRUNSWICK/PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The level of independence a student has at high school and at home is a strong influence on how well he makes the transition to college, according to Maurice Elias, professor of psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

“Students who are sheltered by parents, overly programmed to achieve, treated like children or given little independence in school may have a harder time adjusting to the new responsibilities and demands of college life,” Elias said.

Elias recommends the following tips for stress-free adjustment:

Get known: Get to know as many academic or resident advisers as possible until you find at least one you can trust and with whom you can communicate. Show up for professors’ office hours and communicate with them through e-mails and phone calls.

Get help: College work is demanding, even for students who were at the top of their high school class. Check out tutoring and special learning centers to get help studying. Time management is also critical to success.

Get active: Joining clubs and organizations is a good way to make connections, but some students overdo it. Shop carefully for those activities that best meet your interests and needs.

Stay in touch with high school friends who can offer stability and support when things get rocky.

Help parents accept the new you: Some parents are good at giving their children room to experiment and grow, while others are afraid to let go.

Try not to alienate your parents, but don’t feel compelled to go to incredible lengths to please them. Strike a balance, and parents should be able to adjust. Here are some suggestions to help the process along:

You didn’t change overnight, so give your parents time to adjust to the new you.

Keep the lines of communication open and let your parents know what is happening in your life.

If you have a problem, tell your parents. They have helped you through countless situations and they only want the best for you. Most will try to help in any way they can.

For more information, contact Elias via e-mail at hpusy@aol.com.

Contact: Miguel Tersy 732/932-7084, ext. 616 Email: mtersy@ur.rutgers.edu