College Adjustment Counseling
Stressed by course work? We can help you:
* Adjust to college.
* Balance academic, personal and social demands
* Set realistic goals and create steps to reach them
* Explore options for changing majors
* Learn ways to remedy academic underachievement
* Learn how to reduce test anxiety
Adjusting to College
College marks a major transition toward life as an independent adult. Living away from home (if you're in the Residence Hall or an apartment) is an even bigger adjustment. Your world is opening up socially. You'll be living with and/or studying side by side with people of different ethnicity, races, religions, countries of origin, as well as different ideas and values.
On the academic front, teachers demand effort, you can't just scoot by. You'll have to study, and get help when you need it. Figuring out how to bring all the pieces together, school, study, family, friends, maybe work, requires maturity, good judgment, and new skills. Here are some suggestions to make your adjustment to college smoother:
1. Learn how to schedule your time effectively. Some students find it helpful to schedule "Study Time" "Family Time" "Me-Time" and if you're working, "Work-Time." Allocate your time to make the best use of it. Early burn-out occurs when people try to cram in full-time work, full-time school, and relationships or social time everyday. The education process may take a little longer if you must take fewer classes, but school for the most part should be enjoyable, not a burden. You can only do so much! Better to do less and finish than burn-out half way there and quit.
2. Talk to and work with your family. Talk about the changes you're going through. Talk about what you need from them during this time. Find out what they need from you as well. Remember that communication and planning WITH each other helps to prevent blowups!
3. Work to be successful in each class.
- Find out what is required - tests, papers, presentations - so that you can plan ahead.
- Attend all classes.
- Sit in front.
- Prepare for each class by scanning your notes and reading the text before class.
- Ask questions during class.
- Take good notes. Review them often.
- Study regularly instead of cramming.
- Hand in work on time.
- Be aware of any extra credit that may be offered by your instructor. Extra points can boost your grade!
4. Learn how to take tests successfully. Get information on how to do this in the Learning Center (first floor of the Academic Building) or the Counseling Center. Learn how to manage test anxiety.
5. Communicate! If you need to miss a class or two contact your instructor and let them know why. Never just stop showing up.
6. Be realistic. If you need to withdraw from a class, do s before the deadline. If you just stop showing up, but do not file the necessary withdrawal form, you will receive an "F". That will stay on your academic record forever!
7. Use the resources at Manor. You don't have to do it all alone!
- Counseling Center: Free, confidential counseling is available for all Manor College students.
- Your advisor: Your academic guide. They have information about Manor, your program, transfer, changing majors, etc. Make and keep your appointments with them.
- Learning Center: Struggling in a class? This great resource offers free tutoring and study skills help.
- Your instructors: Talk with them- ask questions, keep them posted. Show them your efforts. They want you to succeed!
- Classmates: Set up informal study groups. Working in a group involves many kinds of learning- visual, auditory, and verbal- that reinforce each other. Being able to explain a concept out loud to someone, helps embed it more firmly in your mind. You also find out what you don't know thoroughly!