GETTING READY

REINVENTING YOURSELF

A Fresh Start, New Opportunities and New Experiences

By Bill Sommers

You are probably in the midst of your high school experience or maybe in your senior year. I am sure you are part of a social network of friends, and have a teacher, coach or staff member who serves as your mentor. You probably are involved in co-curricular activities like band, drama, sports or student organizations. I would guess you have also been challenged over the years with tough choices, and have made some good decisions and some not so good. Guess what? New opportunities await when you make the transition from high school to college.

A Fresh Start
To some degree, your transition to college can be viewed as a “fresh start.” You cannot wipe away your high school academic performance, but you should take what you learned in high school (inside and outside the classroom) and apply it to your approach to life in college. Think back on some of the tough choices and decisions you made and use that as an opportunity to improve how you will approach your college experience and performance.

New Academic Opportunities
At many colleges, students have flexibility to choose from a variety of courses to fulfill elective requirements. Look at this as an opportunity to sample courses you have never had an opportunity to take before. Explore an academic subject that is totally new to you. This may help you to identify an academic major. Education and learning is a lifelong journey and exploring new subjects should be part of that journey.

New Co-curricular Opportunities
Most colleges and universities promote many activities for students to get involved in outside the classroom. Student government, drama, sports (varsity or intramural), student clubs, and volunteer programs are just a few of the options for you. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Social Networks
Develop a new social network. Students who are successful in their first semester and first year of college make three “key” connections. Make a key connection with at least one faculty member, one staff member, and one student. Get to know them and build a relationship for success. Push yourself and get to know classmates from other states or countries. Maintain relationships with high school classmates who are attending the same college, but expand your network of friends. In addition, it is a wise choice not to choose your best friend from high school as a roommate.

Bill Sommers is the Dean of Enrollment Services for Colorado Mountain College.

*Story from Fall 07 issue