Get College Ready: What I Wish I Knew
- TGlearn tammy@tglearn.com
- Apr 27, 2023
- 4 min read
Graduation is soon and students and families are excited to start their next chapter. It is time to Get College Ready: a TGlearn summer series created to provide upcoming college students with all the knowledge they need to set themselves up for success their freshman year.
College is an exciting, tumultuous chapter in most young adults' lives. We consistently hear anecdotes about college life in popular media—from warnings about the ‘freshman fifteen’ to conflicts with freshman roommates. Despite all of the depictions of college life we see on TV and in movies, college can feel like an enigma to incoming students. It is a new way of life, a time for budding independence and self-change, and a separation from everything we have become so accustomed to.
While going into freshman year is anxiety-inducing for almost all students, it can be particularly so for those with learning disabilities, executive function limitations, and ADHD. While many websites provide comprehensive lists of college preparedness for neuro-typical students, not many provide recommendations for those with academic, social, or emotional struggles. As an academic coach at TGlearn, I have created a thorough catalog of college preparedness through the lens of my own college experience, as well as within the paradigm of executive functioning.
It’s okay to say ‘no’
My first and most pertinent lesson in preparing for college life is the importance of being able to say ‘no’. Balancing social, academic, and personal needs can be difficult. Sometimes, one area has to give so the others can replenish. It’s all about healthy balance. Keeping this healthy balance requires the ability to say ‘no’ to certain activities and outings. This means you may have to miss a night out with friends if you have a big project due in a few days, or you might have to sacrifice an hour or two of alone time to solidify new friendships. The important thing when learning to say ‘no’ is to maintain balance throughout all areas in your college life. Saying no to friends, especially newer friends, can be really difficult. However, good friends will understand the importance of sustaining good grades, as well as taking care of yourself physically and mentally.
Moreover, college is a time where our personal values and self worth are tested. It is likely you will be put into situations where you have to make difficult decisions. This is when to remember it is always okay to say ‘no’ to peers. Set your boundaries before leaving for college and trust yourself to stick to them.
Sleep is the fuel that drives us
When attempting to balance extracurriculars, academics, a social life, and personal needs, sleep can quickly fall into last place on the to-do list. Often, sleep feels like the easiest sacrifice. If we miss sleep we won’t upset friends, hurt our grades, or miss out on fun activities.
However, skipping out on that daily rest will catch up to you very quickly. Not getting adequate sleep can seep into your life in a variety of negative ways. These include poor emotional state, inability to focus, short temper, and increased reaction times. While maintaining balance at college is a constant give and take, it is important to make sure your sleep is not always the area you sacrifice.
Your success is your professor’s success
When in a difficult class or two, it can quickly feel like your professors are actively working against you. They assign long papers, difficult tests, and only give you a handful of excused absences. However, it is important to remember that your success is also the success of your professor. The majority of professors you encounter in college are more than willing to work with you if you are struggling.
Moreover, most professors look forward to students attending their office hours. Office hours are a time when you and your professor can get to know one another on a more personal level and you can prove your dedication to succeeding in the class. Remember, as intimidating as some professors can be, they got into education for a reason. Once a professor knows you are determined to do well, they will often go out of their way to help you do so.
Save the party for the weekend
Freshman year is often a whirlwind of newfound independence and poor decision making with said independence. Life will quickly go from incredibly controlled and restricted to free and unfixed. For example, you used to have a curfew, but now you can stay out as late as you want. While this freedom is tempting, it is important not to let it control you.
While most college parties take place on the weekend, many colleges often throw parties and get-togethers on weeknights. While these can be tempting, it is important not to get into the habit of partying on school nights. Trust me, there will be plenty of parties and excitement over the weekend. Remember, if you are adding extra time for social activities, something else is being sacrificed at its expense.
Wait for the real ones
While making friends freshman year is equally exciting as it is scary, most of the friends you make that first year will not last. Most of these friendships are formed out of an equal sense of desperation for camaraderie and belonging and are filled with personal differences, drama, and selfishness. This is because everyone is just trying to adjust and survive their freshman year. Every student is growing, changing, and just trying to stay afloat. That leaves little room for real, meaningful friendships that last a lifetime. If these friendships fall apart and bridges are burned, try not to stress too much. Most of your peers are going through similar experiences.
Lifelong friends are often made during sophomore year. This is because most students are starting to adjust to their new lifestyle, find a rhythm of balance, and understand their own boundaries and interests.
What if I want more tips and information?
Lucky for you, we will be updating our blog with ‘Get College Ready’ tips throughout the summer. If you need even more resources, I recommend checking out these websites:
-Regan Taylor, Academic Coach
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