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

2. 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?

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Differences Between High School and University
Strategies for Success
Classes are often longer and more intense. The 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. 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 )
Diversity & Equity Week (Sep 29- Oct 5)
Spark discovery Spark connections Spark success

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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