| Being a college freshman is not an easy experience | | | | shoulders. |
| for any student, much less one with a learning disability. | | | | 4. You are going to face moral dilemmas that you |
| Transitioning from high school to college can be similar | | | | may never have encountered before. Think carefully |
| to moving to a foreign country where everything as | | | | before engaging in behavior that could have |
| you once knew it has changed. The more | | | | unfavorable consequences. Let your upbringing be |
| knowledgeable students are in advance of college life, | | | | your moral compass in situations like these. |
| the more they can mentally and physically prepare for | | | | 5. The thought that you have crossed the threshold |
| the upcoming challenges. | | | | into adult territory will suddenly dawn. You will be faced |
| What can you expect to be different in college? Here | | | | with making decisions that will affect your future |
| are six things for starters: | | | | career. If you are clueless about the direction you want |
| 1. The college work and study load will be faster, | | | | to take, get over to the Counseling Center to take a |
| heavier, and more difficult than what you were | | | | Strong and Myers-Briggs Inventory that will help shed |
| accustomed to in Special Education classes in high | | | | light on your interests and perhaps point to a specific |
| school. It will require more time, more organization, and | | | | career path. |
| a greater mental commitment. | | | | 6. Remember that even confident students experience |
| 2. Your personal relationships have to be built all over | | | | periods of self- doubt, frustration, and sometimes |
| again since everyone around you is new. Take your | | | | loneliness at college. It is all part of the assimilation |
| time in selecting friends, and be understanding of the | | | | process. If these feelings do not pass after a short |
| feelings of others, especially a roommates, and make | | | | while, or if they become more intense, seek counseling |
| a real effort to get along. College is probably you first | | | | help on campus. |
| exposure to a widely-diverse peer group. Treat others | | | | College life can be overwhelming for college freshmen, |
| the way you expect to be treated. | | | | but students who have even vague career goals |
| 3. A sudden shock for students, and sometimes the | | | | seem to be able to weather the storms better than |
| cause of their downfall, is the realization that they are | | | | students who have no idea why they are there. It is |
| now their own boss. There are no parents telling you | | | | normal to be intimidated, but never lose sight of your |
| what to do or reminding you of assignments and due | | | | true goal; college is a means to that end. |
| dates. The responsibility now falls squarely on your | | | | |