Transitions: Tips to Help You and Your Student Adjust to College University of Maryland Counseling Center www.counseling.umd.edu (301)314-7651

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland The Counseling Center Counseling Service Disability Support Service Learning Assistance Service Testing and Research Unit www.counseling.umd.edu (301)314-7651 University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland Transition Memories Transitions are times of ebbs and flows… ups and downs in performance, changes in emotional state, and changes in behavior. Transitions to college involve four major developmental challenges: Competence Autonomy Identity Intimacy/Relationships University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland Competence Can I make it in college and in the world? Am I ready to take on this challenge? Am I capable of making my own decisions? What are my strengths? How do I deal with my weaknesses? Do I have the coping strategies to deal with failure or mistakes? University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland Autonomy Struggling to grow up as a young adult; to establish oneself as an individual Learning to separate from home, parents, friends, and family Learning to make independent decisions Learning to manage one’s life University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland Identity Who am I? What do I want to be? What do I want to do? Learning to develop a sense of self Interests Values Belief System Career Direction University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland Relationships Learning to establish new and different relationships with students from diverse backgrounds. Understanding oneself in the context of relationships with others. Dealing with issues of personal intimacy Managing conflict and disagreements University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

Common Parent Concerns What is the best advice I can give my student? How soon should my student choose a major? What are students’ biggest transition problems? How should we handle the large campus size? Are my expectations realistic? How will parent-child relationships change? What if things go badly? University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

Best Advice (for parents) Encourage a healthy daily routine Foster independence and self-responsibility Help to make academics the priority Help your son/daughter learn from mistakes Know campus resources UMCP Resource Directory www.counseling.umd.edu/ (Click on Self-Help → Resource Directory) University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

Best Advice (for students) Go to class Have realistic expectations Develop a healthy, daily routine Explore and make connections to UMCP, to peers, to faculty, to clubs & organizations Create “neighborhoods within the city” Get to know one faculty member well Use resources Be assertive and persistent Understand the academic demands University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland Choosing a Major Many students don’t know or change their minds By the end of freshman year, 40% of students change their major Encourage exploration (100+ majors) – Assessment of strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes EDCP 108C: Choosing a Major (1 credit) Genuine interest in the subject matter Know what jobs they can get www.careercenter.umd.edu Prepare beyond the classroom internships, leadership roles, clubs, mentors University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

Biggest Transition Problems Overall adjustment to college Sleeping, eating, exercise & technology Adjustment to a large campus Lack of a consistent daily routine (time management) Social isolation and disconnection Change in academic demands Class attendance Academic rigor Change in support network and creating a new one Inadequate coping and/or problem solving skills Reluctance to ask for help, not using available resources Financial management Juggling work/family demands (for some) University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

And for transfer students… They have college experience, so may Underestimate adjustment to new setting Be overly confident about academic performance Transfer student e-community www.counseling.umd.edu/LAS/html/specserv.html#transfer EDCP 108G: The Transfer Student in the University (1 credit) University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland Campus Size Think of the campus as a city with smaller communities. Classes range in size from 20 to 300. Larger classes have smaller discussion groups. Encourage your student to take advantage of the discussion groups where more interaction and individual attention may be given. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

Realistic Expectations Expect some changes in academic performance. There will be problems and things may go badly. The key to resolving problems is to help your student develop good problem-solving and coping skills as a means to foster growth. Effective problem solving is the goal. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

Changing Parent-Child Relationships Parents are consultants. Work through problems together, resist the temptation to do it all for your student; doing it all impedes the learning process, maturity growth, and independence. Important consultation skills Listening Asking questions More listening Knowing your subject University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland What if things go badly? Effective problem-solving. Try something new. Consult experts. Hang in there. University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland Conclusion College is fun and challenging for students and parents. Enjoy it! Learn as much as you can today about the university and its resources. Making this connection will help your student and you. If things get too challenging and you need help, contact the Counseling Center. We’re here for students and parents. University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland

Counseling Center Resources Academic skills: counseling, workshops, & courses (time management, study skills, exam skills, test anxiety, math, writing) Emotional-Social counseling: stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, adjustments Career counseling & workshops Disability support services: advocacy & accommodations University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

Transitions: Tips to Help You and Your Student Adjust to College University of Maryland Counseling Center Shoemaker Building 301-314-7651 www.counseling.umd.edu