| For Seniors: |
| life after high school. |
| As you separate from each other and from your families to begin your college experiences, please keep the following thoughts in mind. |
| 78% of all freshmen have feelings of anxiety, homesickness and loneliness during the first six weeks of school.� No matter how cool most of your fellow freshmen appear to be, remember this statistic.� Remember, you're not alone. Do not eat alone during your first six weeks on campus. Meeting new people can help you learn a lot and will help you feel less lonely. For 17+ years adults have been around to warn you of the consequences of any poor decisions you might make.� Now you are on your own.� For academic safety, the first six weeks, make a daily schedule of what you plan to do all week and stick with your plan no matter what.�Study two to three hours for each hour in class.� With a plan to stick to, chances of success will increase.� Modify your schedule, if necessary, when you receive your first grades. Establish guidelines with your roommate before you get to know each other�(i.e. no smoking or smoking, quiet hours, opposite sex visitors, etc). Before you leave home make sure you know who is paying for what, i.e. books, weekend trips, for personal items, etc.� Discussions with your parents before you leave will prevent unwelcome surprises and arguments later. DO NOT take a car first semester, even if it is allowed and you are lucky enough to have one.� Popularity based on how many people you can take to where they want to go is not genuine.� You could easily be used by others and feel guilty when you turn down someone who asks to borrow your car.� Or you might be pressured into taking time away from studying to take others where they want to go.� There are numerous complications, including parking, involved in having a car on campus.� Weigh both sides before deciding to take a car your first year. Save $250 this summer and put it away so no one knows about it, not even your parents or best friend.� This is your emergency fund that can help cover a lost key deposit, and unexpected textbook purchase, etc. If you are receiving financial aid and your financial aid package included work-study, the best policy is to, immediately after you are paid, endorse the check for deposit only and give it to the business office to apply toward your account.� This way you will not come up short when you register for second semester. Be sure to write down on your course syllabus, when your professor has office hours, the number of his or her office and where the office is located.��Most professors are work knowing and enjoy meeting their students. Find out where tutoring services are available to you.� You may not think you need help but don't be too proud.�Most people could benefit from help navigating college level writing and studying for large exams. Take advantage of college counseling services.� If you are feeling scared, lonely, out of control or simply sad, visit the college counseling office.� Most often the first ten visits to these centers are free and no one has to know that you are going there - not even your parents. When you get to college, write your parents and whoever else, a letter thanking them for sending you to school.� It will mean a great deal to them and it is easy for you to do.� You can buy a card in the campus bookstore. You will be studying for many tests during the next four plus years but the greatest tests will be personal ones.� You will make many choices - perhaps ones that will be new to you.� Spend some time this summer in self-reflection, thinking about who you are and what you value.� Don't be disillusioned.� You are going to college with a community of scholars not a community of saints.� Be careful, take good care of yourself and don't take chances with the only self you have. Let us hear from you to know how you are doing and how you like the college you are attending.� Write with advice for underclassmen. Take care of yourself and do your best.� You are all blazing new trails for future MKHS graduates who will apply to your college.� If I can be of any help be sure to call or email me. |
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