Managing Successful Transitions Moving From High School… to College / University

What’s important to remember during transition planning? What does the student want? How well prepared is the student? How supportive/informed are the parents? What steps do you need to take to insure a solid transition?

What next… If college is the student’s plan for their life, talk to them about the differences in environment, support, responsibilities and expectations.

What differences should the student prepare for? General High School General College Frequent teacher contact Small class size Less academic competition Strong support system External motivation Structured time 25-30 hours per week of instructional time Many opportunities for grades Decreased teacher contact Very large class size Greater academic competition Build their own support system Must be intrinsically motivated More freedom to make choices 12-15 hours per week of instructional time Fewer test-more information to recall

Student Support Systems To build support systems, students should be encouraged early in the process to become socially involved in their school of choice. The more socially involved a student is, the more academically committed they tend to be. Support departments are located throughout college campuses. Students should locate and learn about all departments *Disabilities Offices *Math Labs *Writing Labs *Tutoring *Computer Labs *Mentor Programs

Differences in Responsibility Issues Secondary Post-Secondary Identification School/Parent/Team Student Assessment School/Team Programming Student & Institution Advocacy Student/OSD Decision Making IEP Team Transition Planning

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success College schedules will be less structured than in high school. Some classes meet every day. Others one, two, or three times a week. Students must learn to establish their own priorities and manage their time to meet the demands of school, work, and personal life.

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success The volume of work required in university is significantly greater than in high school. Studying 1-2 hours for each hour spent in class and more independent learning are expected. Academic advisors, professors, and student services professionals can help students identify academic support resources on campus to improve study skill or develop better time management or organizational skills

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success Classes are often longer and more intense. The 45-50 minute classes extend to 1-2 hours. While individual class session may be longer, students spend less time in class than they did in high school. Much more student work and learning happens outside the classroom. Students can make use of breaks in their schedules to study, work on assignments, or prepare for the next class meeting. Students should take advantage of the campus library, which offers access to great learning resources.

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success Classes will be larger. Many courses contain more than 100 or more students in a section, especially introductory courses. Attendance may not be taken. Students are expected to learn course material, but they may have limited individual interaction with the professor Forming study groups with students in large course can make the environment feel less intimidating and enhance student learning. Student should schedule appointments to meet faculty or make use of scheduled office hours to ask questions about concepts that are unclear or address other concerns they have about the course

Differences Between High School and University Strategies for Success deadlines and expect work to be done on time – few expectations are allowed. Students should talk with professors about their responsibilities and ask for suggestions on how to balance them successfully. Seeking out the professor’s advice will suggest that the student wants to succeed.

Addressing support systems issues Services after hours, too! Food services Campus Recreation Safewalk Lockers Food services – flexible meal plans, i.e. optional meal plan. Costs about $1300, items are HST free, no expiry, rollovers Campus Recreation – classes before, during, and after the “school day” Safewalk – 6 to late, getting to your vehicle after you stay late Lockers – day use, being built this summer

Addressing belonging issues Gay / Straight Alliances Volunteer Programs Disability Concerns Etc. Etc.! Commuters sometimes comment that they have a hard time feelings like they belong when they are on campus They don’t have the added benefit of an entire group of neighbours at their door like those who live in residence

The official welcome to University! New Student Orientation The official welcome to University! Helps your student get to know other new students Helps build a sense of the campus Free food and free stuff We cancel classes just for you! We will be welcoming about 2300 new students with the help of 250 volunteers Free

Spark discovery Spark connections Spark success Spark is UBC's Okanagan campus' extended orientation week, designed to support students as they transition into our campus community and to welcome back returning students. Spark's five-week program includes events and activities curated into five key themes Wellness Week (Sep 8 – 14) Involvement Week (Sep 15 – 21) Academics Week (Sep 22 -28) Diversity & Equity Week (Sep 29- Oct 5) Spark discovery Spark connections Spark success

4 spaces on campus in 3 different buildings Collegia (latin) colligo : to collect, gather together, assemble What is a collegium? 4 spaces on campus in 3 different buildings Different themes for each Graduate and Non Traditional Students Upper Year Students (aka Senior) First and Second Year Students (aka Junior) Global (aka a space for all students)

Open 7:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday The Collegia Open 7:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday Events and activities in the space help students break the ice with one another A great place to hang out after a class to get to know someone better

A great place to hang out after a class to get to know someone better The Student Union Building Events and activities in the space help students break the ice with one another A great place to hang out after a class to get to know someone better