The transition from high school to college is a defining moment in a student’s life. Gone are many of the safety nets a student has grown accustom to: the comfort of home; the regular support of teachers, administrators, and counselors; and the familiarity of close friends, to name just a few. With so much focus on grades and test scores, it is easy to overlook the new-found responsibilities of life as a college student. Here are a few of our thoughts on what every student should carefully consider before strolling across her college campus in the fall.

You Are an Adult Now
Unlike in high school, in college every academic responsibility is yours. These responsibilities are not your professors’, advisors’, or parents’. If you have a problem, it is your responsibility to deal with it. Do not delay remedying problems. Unlike high school, if you are falling behind, it is incredibly hard to catch up.

Class Attendance Is Mandatory
Attending class, especially the Friday morning recitation, is not optional. The responsibility to attend class is solely yours. The main reason students fail out of college is from not attending classes. If you need to go to bed earlier, miss out on a night out with friends, or buy a separate alarm clock, do so! Please remember, never miss class.

Assigned Reading Is Mandatory
Follow the course syllabus carefully. If the course calendar says you will be covering chapter 5, it is your responsibility to read chapter 5 without being officially told to do so. Do not think your class notes are a substitute for doing the supplementary work out of the official course texts.

Always Take Notes
Write down what is said in class in your own words. Do not simply take notes verbatim from what is discussed or written in class handouts. Taking good notes is an art form that many high school students have not mastered. Don’t wait until a big mid-term or final to catch up on your notes.

Deadline Means Deadline
Unlike high school, professors and teaching assistants are not going to dole out assignment extensions or test make-up dates. You may have been able to get away with this in high school but not in college. In order to effectively meet deadlines, you must be well-organized. If you did not do so in high school, you must keep a regular calendar whether it be electronic or paper. Every school commitment should be kept on this calendar, and it should be a living, breathing document that is updated regularly. If you are given two weeks to do an assignment, do not wait until the night or day before to start working on it. Start assignments well in advance of deadlines.

Request Help Early
If you are falling behind, have problems with an assignment, or generally need support, request help early. Professors and teaching assistants will maintain regular office hours, and it is your responsibility to seek out their help. It’s much more difficult to build close relationships with professors in college than teachers in high school. Showing your face regularly sends a clear signal that you have skin in the game and are motivated to do your best. Don’t forget to seek out peer tutors and rely on other tutoring services your college or university likely offers.

Do Not Cheat
This should go without saying. Do not ever cheat, not even on homework. Cheating, whether it be on homework, an exam, or through plagiarism, is a serious offense that will absolutely be reported to a school’s Office of Academic Integrity. With today’s technology, it is incredibly easy to share information or copy work from the Internet. It is your responsibility to do the right thing. Period.

If you have questions about your son or daughter’s transition from high school to college, please contact our team at (720) 605-6622 or via email at info@mosereducational.com.