June 18, 2024
Though the August start date may seem distant, there’s plenty of preparation that rising freshmen can start doing now to ensure a smooth transition to college life. College life is more than attending classes. Many teens and young adults have not lived on their own or organized their entire routine from breakfast to bedtime. Many incoming freshmen, whether living at home or in a college dorm, do not realize the organizational demands that are thrust upon them.
When I left for college, my mother made me a folder containing individual instructions and lists of items I needed to consider purchasing for living efficiently on my own. For example, I was provided with explicit directions on how to wash clothes that required different settings: delicates, wool sweaters, jeans, bedding, etc. Personal budgeting was something that I did not really prioritize before moving away from home, and having a list of monthly expenses to consider was extremely helpful. My mother created my first “executive functioning” workbook!
Prior to leaving the comforts of home, some secondary education programs require summer coursework to help students gain an awareness of Title IX regulations, safety/security resources, or alcohol consumption. I also remember having to take a math assessment for placement consideration. Some colleges require roommate preference questionnaires to match students accordingly. Incoming freshman need to be aware of the deadlines imposed to complete any summer requirements to ensure accommodations and increase preparedness before setting foot on campus.
You should also review your college’s health insurance plans and deadlines. Based on your family’s insurance coverage, you may be able to waive specific fees, resulting in potential cost savings. One of my children had to determine whether they wished to secure legal services and pay for them in advance. While I was less concerned about my teen engaging in delinquent behavior, legal services were beneficial when dealing with an unreasonable landlord who tried to take advantage of inexperienced college students.
Familiarizing yourself with your school’s Learning Management System (LMS) is also a highly beneficial summer goal. Whether it’s Canvas, Blackboard, Google, or another platform, you’ll need to know how to use the system for accessing assignments and submitting your work. By taking a comprehensive virtual or in-person tour of your campus, you can gauge how much time you should allot when walking to classes or attending social activities. Familiarity with the locations of important buildings such as the library, cafeteria, and classroom facilities will give incoming students the confidence to navigate their new environment.
Exploring campus organizations and activities ahead of time is another great way to prepare. Investigate what clubs, religious institutions, athletic opportunities, and/or Panhellenic organizations (sororities/fraternities) are on campus, and check their social media pages to see what sounds interesting. It is important to find like-minded peers when trying to meet new friends and build feelings of belongingness.
If you have secured learning or physical accommodations in high school, it is essential to contact the college or university Student Accessibility Services well in advance. If documentation of impairments is not up to date, additional records may be required. Before classes start, students must ensure that everything is in place, as professors cannot be held accountable for providing accommodations without clear documentation of student needs.
Parents and students should discuss and complete FERPA, HIPAA, and Power of Attorney forms to ensure open communication in emergency situations. Students should also know that once they reach the age of majority and become independent adults, parents cannot readily intervene in academic or medical situations.
Executive Function Strategies
If a student previously used a planner or calendar that efficiently monitored activities and assignments, then they may wish to follow this “tried-and-true” practice. However, for students who relied solely on looking at teacher syllabi and working from deadlines posted, this system may not be as effective when juggling academic and daily living responsibilities. Deadlines are subject to change, and professors may move either faster or slower than what is originally planned.
Students may choose to maintain a system for recoding daily tasks, deadlines, or goals to accomplish prior to the fall semester. As an outgrowth of maintaining a daily schedule, students may also consider estimating or calculating the amount of time it takes to complete certain activities. Often, teens and young adults underestimate the time it takes to complete more challenging tasks. When beginning their secondary education journey, students will also need to account for travel time, waiting in line, and inclement weather (among other unexpected impediments).
Health and Wellness
One’s physical and mental well-being are just as important as academic preparation. Most people require between 7and 10 hours of sleep to boost memory retention, maintain alertness, and engage in purposeful learning. Don’t deprive one’s body of sleep or proper nutrition. Maintaining a balanced diet — rich in protein, fruits, and vegetables — can help keep energy levels stable. Low energy results in ineffective studying and retention. Plan on keeping a refillable water bottle in your bookbag and healthy snacks when studying. Listen to your body and brain. One must take care of emotional and physical needs before attempting to absorb new concepts or engage with others effectively.
If your rising college freshman needs help identifying effective strategies to feel prepared this summer or as the fall academic term unfolds, Cogmotion Learning can help! Thriving as a young adult often requires guidance and exploration before settling on preferred strategies that work. Commitment, perseverance and accountability are all essential attributes in building meaningful executive function and wellness skills that will improve performance now and in future endeavors!
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