Each summer, I sit down with students one-on-one to help them prepare for the transition to college. Certain questions come up again and again. Once the initial excitement of choosing a university wears off and the real logistics set in, here’s what surfaces most in those conversations. AND, if you have already been through orientation, that’s okay; you can use this list as a follow-up for anything left unanswered.
Academic
The academic questions almost always start with AP credit. Students want to know exactly how the work they already did in high school will count. AP scores became available July 6th colleges will need an official score report sent directly from the College Board. From there, the conversation naturally turns to questions about first-year classes, majors and minors, because most students haven’t yet been told how much flexibility they actually have. As you head into orientation, here are some excellent questions to consider regarding college academics.
- How will my AP courses from high school affect my academic plan?
- Do AP, SAT, or ACT scores count toward course placement? If so, how does that work and where do I send official scores?
- If I’m interested in changing my major, double majoring, or adding a minor, can I do that at orientation or in my first year?
- How do I connect with my academic advisor after orientation ends?
- What are the key first-semester deadlines? Start of class, course drop dates, add/drop windows, and beyond?
- If I am feeling behind in a class, or need help with a paper, what academic supports can I access ASAP?
Logistics
This is the category students underestimate the most. Summer is the time when colleges pile on administrative tasks, to-do lists, and deadlines, often before your student has had a chance to get their bearings in a brand-new system. Information shows up in their college email or gets buried in a portal they have barely opened. Even the most organized, thoughtful students can hit a roadblock: a missed deadline, an unchecked item, an unread email.
Here are the questions to ask about college-related updates:
- Where will college updates and information be sent: university email, the student portal, both?
- What action items do I need to finish after orientation and before I move in?
- When will my schedule be posted and where can I find this?
- When & how will I receive access to my learning management system (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard Learn, Brightspace?
Student Life
Identifying 2-3 activities you want to explore at your university before your first year starts is key to the college transition. This is also the part students actually get excited about. Living-learning communities, outdoor programs, campus employment, Greek life, these opportunities do not show up on a syllabus. Students often do not know where to find this information or where to start.
Orientation is a great time to ask the following questions about student life:
- What are the best resources for student life?
- Who should I reach out to after orientation with student-life questions?
- Is there a fall Greek life timeline I should know about?
- Is there a kickoff event to join clubs and organizations?
- How do I apply for on-campus jobs?
Want Help Getting Ready?
Orientation moves fast, and it’s easy for a first-year student to leave with more questions than answers. Book your free consultation. I’d love to help you get ready for the start of the semester.
