COL 103 - Note #1

The First Day of Course

You are probably reading this chapter in association with your first or second class meeting in this college success course. You are not in this alone. Look at your fellow students. Do they look like you? Do you think their thoughts and feelings are the same as yours? Surely many of them are excited and nervous. Maybe some are even scared. Some are overconfident; some are already bored. Some are confused or even clueless about why they are here, now, at this institution. Others are highly motivated and very goal oriented. In sum, they are different from one another.

You will get to know these students much better than students in your lecture courses. Your college success course will include a great deal of discussion, conversation, and group work so you will have the opportunity to make friends and learn from your classmates. Help them when you can, and they will help you. Don’t prejudge them, and don’t prejudge yourself. You don’t know yet what you are going to do in college and how it many transform you. This course will help you discover your own unique strengths and aptitudes, so make the most of it.

INTRODUCING VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE (VIPS)

When you talk to college graduates and ask them what part of college was most memorable and most influential, they will often tell you that it was the people. To whom are they referring? There are all kinds of people in college. Some of them are truly memorable characters. Some of the characters will be fellow students, but many will be instructors. Colleges and universities give instructors a great deal of freedom in their interests, ideas, speech, and dress, and some of them you are never going to forget! Trust us on this. There will also be very special administrators, advisers, and other staff members who will give you support and assistance that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Let’s consider the opportunities and challenges you will encounter in interacting with each group of people and how they can influence your college experience. With mutual understanding, it will be easier to support others and to know how they can support you.

Students

Of all the different types of people on campus, the ones who will likely have the most influence on you and the choices you make are your fellow students.They can be traditional-aged, older, veterans, part-time or full-time, roommates, or those who come from another country. But all of them can be tremendously important to your success.

Traditional Students

If you are a traditional student, meaning that you are around 18 years old and have just graduated high school, the transition you are making will involve an adjustment to some significant differences between high school and college. For instance, in college you will probably be part of a more diverse student body, not just in terms of race and ethnicity, but also in terms of age, religion, political opinions, sexual orientation, identity, and life experiences. If you attend a large college or university, you might feel like a “number” and not as special as you may have felt in high school. In college, you will have more potential friends, but you’ll have to explore new ways of getting to know them. Familiar assumptions about what people are like 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.

It is easy to understand why traditional students feel more drawn to and comfortable with fellow traditional students. But we want to remind you that college is a perfect time and place to step outside your comfort zone and peer group. You will find your college experience significantly enriched by spending time with those who are older or younger than you are, or different in some other way.

Nontraditional students

If you are a nontraditional or adult student, you might have experience in the job market, and you might have a spouse or partner or children. You might be returning to college or beginning college for the first time. You will face a special set of challenges, such as trying to relate to younger students and finding enough time to juggle the important, competing responsibilities of work, caring for a family, and being in college. Remember, though, that nontraditional students have intrinsic motivation that comes with maturity and experience, and they appreciate the value of an education. You will have the advantage of approaching college work with a very clear purpose for why you are there, which your instructors will notice and appreciate. You may be intimidated by the advantages many younger students seem to enjoy by virtue of being in school more recently, and you may also be intimidated by technology. But your cohort also has many advantages as well, and you need to build your college success on those advantages.

Veterans

You might be one of hundreds of thousands of veterans who have come to campus after service during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts or in other areas of the nation and world. If you are a veteran, you may have traveled the world, met all kinds of different people, and faced life-threatening experiences. You may have already started college while you were on active duty. You likely made sacrifices such as leaving your family behind, and you might have suffered either visible or invisible injuries. We believe that others on campus will find you and the stories you share about your time in military service very inspiring. Let your instructors know you are a vet. But also associate with students who have not had military experience. You may observe that some of them are less focused and serious than you are. But be patient; they are developing people just like you. Your knowledge and global experiences will enrich classroom discussion, and your perspectives will be appreciated. Speak up and join in as much of campus life as your time will permit. Finally, we urge you to take advantage of special support services on your campus for veterans. Your institution’s Office of Veteran Services is there to help you maintain good grades and keep up with your veterans’ benefits as Congress regularly revises benefits legislation.

First-Generation Students

Are you the first person in your family to attend college? If so, both you and your family will be experiencing transitions such as navigating admissions and financial aid processes, adapting to the college schedule, and experiencing more independence from each other. Because you will also be setting an example for other family members who will follow in your path, you may feel some additional pressure to succeed. Many colleges and universities now offer special support for first generation students; taking advantage of these kinds of services will help you experience a smoother transition into college life.

International Students

If you are a student who has come to the United States from another country, the U.S college campus may seem very different from what you expected. Perhaps you have immigrated with family members or on your own. You may be a refugee, or you may be undocumented. Whatever your particular situation, learning the unique language, culture, and what others expect at a U.S. college or university can be a challenge. Do instructors’ expectations and students’ behaviors seem different from what you experienced in your home country? Are you not a native English speaker? If you need help with your English skills, seek out English as a second language (ESL) courses or programs. Also, visit the international student center on your campus to find out how you can continue to increase your understanding of life in the United States, both on and off campus.