When your student arrives at Gonzaga, he or she will be taking on the responsibility of managing his or her own education and lifestyle. This transition to college can be stressful. Many students overlook the stress involved in making so many big changes in such a short time period. Advance preparation can help your student ease into college.

Here are several strategies to make the transition from high school to college smoother:

Academic Expectations

College courses present a greater amount of material at a faster pace. Your student will need to develop effective study and time management skills. Professors won’t constantly remind your student of due dates for assignments. Your student will be responsible for reading the course syllabus, meeting assignment deadlines, attending class and getting any missed material from classmates. A successful student:

• Attends class regularly.
• Develops strong note-taking skills to record import lecture information.
• Uses analysis to identify key points from lectures and readings to determine what material to study for tests.
• Studies often. A college course requires a great deal more reading and research than a high school course. Your student will need about two to three hours of study for every hour of class.

Self-Reliance and Responsibility

College life offers your student greater freedom and in turn greater personal responsibility. He or she will have more responsibility for academics, as well as personal interactions with community members. It may be the first time students have had to budget money, monitor their own health and stress, set their own schedule, and advocate for themselves. Encourage your student to learn and grow from these experiences by doing it on his or her own. But always remember, it’s OK to “guide from the side.” The successful student:

• Communicates his or her needs. When challenges arise, your son or daughter will need to work them out. In the process of negotiating with peers and the University, your student will learn to communicate his or her needs.
• Balances socializing and work. Socializing is an important and meaningful part of college life. Friendships formed in college can last a lifetime. The first-year student may struggle with balancing social activities and school work. Prioritizing study and developing time management skills will help your student achieve this balance.
• Takes care of themselves. Eating well and getting enough sleep will help your student stay healthy and manage his or her stress level.
• Knows when to ask for help. Gonzaga faculty and staff are here to support your student through challenges they may face. There is a network of support available to our students to assist them whether they are struggling academically, homesick, discerning their career path, experiencing an illness, or resolving a roommate conflict. Click here for a list of Gonzaga support contacts.

Time Management

Adjusting to the open and less structured schedule of college courses can be challenging to many first-year students. Not only is the schedule more flexible, but there are numerous co-curricular activities your student will want to be involved in. The successful student:

• Prioritizes. No one can do everything. Your student will develop many interests both inside and outside of the classroom. To avoid burnout, he or she should prioritize activities with education remaining on the forefront.
• Creates a weekly study schedule. Scheduling study time will help your student balance social activities and academics.

Stay Connected

Leaving home and going away to college is exciting for students. However, many experience homesickness not long after their move. These ups and downs are to be expected. It may take a little time for you and your student to adjust. Here are some ideas to help make this time of transition easier:

• Cards and care packages are small ways to show that you love and miss your student.
• E-mail and phone calls will keep you and your student connected and involved.

For more information on transitioning your student from high school to college, check out these resources:

Almost Grown: Launching Your Child from High School to College
Patricia Pasick
W. W. Norton & Company; Second Edition (March 1998).

The Launching Years: Strategies for Parenting from Senior Year to College Life
Laura Kastner and Jennifer Wyatt
Three Rivers Press (Aug. 27, 2002).