Got Game? How to Win at College

High school graduation is a time to celebrate the growth of the twelve magical years that have passed. Many families show that growth in inches marked each year on a door frame. And while those years were filled with changes, the coursework was relatively prescribed by our education system. The choice of classes is often designed to ensure our students meet the criteria for college admission. One of the biggest changes in the transition from high school to college is that the future is open and the game plan is now yours for the making.

If your child has accepted their college offer and you are busy thinking about what needs to be done to prepare, here is a new perspective and some tips to consider:

What is the purpose?
College and high school expectations are different. It might help to think about starting college in the same way you go about learning a new sport or game. When learning a new game, the instructions start with the purpose of the game or what you need to do to win. A typical win in college is earning a Bachelor's degree in a field you enjoy within four years, with a plan for the future. Too often we spend more time trying to help our students select and get accepted to a college than we invest in helping them create an informed plan that outlines what they need to accomplish in order to graduate and move on. In essence, we put them out on the playing field, the clock and meters running, but they often don't really understand the purpose and rules of the game.

Understand the rules of the game
What are the expectations and requirements for
graduation? While most universities will require
120 to 130 credit hours to graduate, the actual
number of credits, their composition, and the sequencing of those courses will vary. Will you
earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science? Just like
players on teams have different responsibilities,
the requirements to achieve a degree can vary
from college to college, department to department
and major to major. The sooner your student
knows what rules apply to get in and graduate for
his or her major, the easier it is to play the game
and win.

Once a major is selected, students have a myriad of choices. They can be selective about finding the best professors, schedules or courses to achieve their goals. And while the choices are many, they are subject to rules. There is an eligibility period for registration and pre-requisites for many classes. Substitutions may or may not be allowed. Again, success depends on understanding the rules, working a plan and being proactive. Unlike high school, the responsibility is theirs.

Time management is a basic skill in college success. Without the structure provided by the high school and parents, many students aren't prepared for the increased work load and independent planning and learning. A rule of thumb to factor in is to schedule two hours of study time a week for every credit hour, or an average of 30 hours a week. A good plan anchors the week with class and study time first to see what can be incorporated a semester at a time. This supports a critical rule: Grades matter!

Financial aid has another set of rules. Read the fine print. For example, in some cases, if a student drops semester hours, their financial aid may be cancelled. Often if a student drops out mid-semester, or earns all F's, Withdraws, or Incompletes, all or part of their funds may be lost. Scholarships may operate under a different set of rules than federal grants. Make sure you understand the requirements to retain assistance from year-to-year and if you need to reapply annually.

Get to know the game board or community
Getting ready to move away from home can be exciting and often becomes the only planning that takes place. The focus is on the immediate transition needs and addresses the essentials such as setting up the residence hall room, buying supplies, finding a roommate, where to find and store food, do laundry, and locate transportation. These are concrete and fun. Other critical resources to identify, locate and visit are: library, banking, medical, counseling, and fitness services and centers, academic advisors and support services, career center for internships, and access to clubs and other organizations. As an adult, college students are responsible for putting these pieces in place themselves. Parents, it is important to realize that your role in your student's community is not the same as high school. You may not get information about your student unless they have signed a release authorizing the sharing of information such as grades, health issues or other matters. Learn as much as you can about the rules of the game, the community of resources, and expectations so you can coach as needed.

Establish a four year timeline
What benchmarks can be defined to keep an eye on the big picture? As an example, to complete 120 credit hours in four years requires carrying 15 hours a semester. Define what the benchmarks are and when they need to be achieved for your major. If there are sequential courses necessary, map them out on the timeline. It is often easiest to layout a timeline by beginning with the end in mind and working backwards. Adjustments in the details can be made by semester, the same way they are in each quarter of a basketball game or on a golf course when the wind picks up. Understanding the game rules and creating a plan with benchmarks and timelines are key skills and motivators for college success. Game on!

Related articles:

How Will College Be Different From High School?
Backwards Planning: A Great Strategy for Those Who Find It Hard to Get Started

© Copyright 2010, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted with permission.

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