If you are a traditional student, meaning that you just graduated from high school, the transition you are making means that you have to adjust to some distinct differences between high school and college. For instance, you will probably be part of a more diverse student body, not just in terms of race but also in terms of age, religion, political opinions, and life experiences. If you attend a large college or university, you might feel like a “number” and not as special as you felt in high school. You will have more potential friends to choose from, but familiar assumptions about people based on where they live, where they go to church, or what high school they attended might not apply to the new people you’re meeting.

Because of the many competing opportunities you’ll be faced with both in and out of class, managing your time is sure to be more complex than it was in high school. Your classes will meet on various days and times, and you will likely have additional commitments, including work, family, activities, and sports. Your college classes might meet for longer class periods than your high school classes. Tests are given less frequently in college—sometimes only twice a term—and you will most likely spend more time writing in college than you did in high school. You will be encouraged to do original research and to investigate differing points of view on a topic. You will be expected to study outside of class, prepare assignments, do assigned reading, and be ready for in-class discussions.

If any upper-level students work as peer leaders in your college success course, get to know them. Peer leaders are selected because of their knowledge, experience, and willingness to help new students. A peer leader can serve as an informal academic adviser, mentor, and friend.

As discussed throughout this chapter, college is also the time when you will begin making serious plans for your work life after college. Although you may have thought about potential careers in high school, determining a particular career direction takes on special urgency in college. The college success course and this e-book give you tools to help you identify and choose the right career path among the endless choices offered at many colleges and universities. We’ll discuss college majors toward the end of this chapter, and we’ll delve into career options in the last chapter of the book.