Twelve Jackson Academy alumni returned to campus on Monday to share what they have learned during their first semester of college. Sponsored by the JA College Counseling Office, this event helps upcoming graduates prepare for their next steps after graduation.
The new alums talked candidly about their transition from high school to college. They answered questions on topics such as college orientation, class scheduling, choosing (and changing) a major, college credits and the grading system, dorm life, roommates, homesickness, budgeting time and money, Greek life, and others. Alumni met with senior boys at 9:45 a.m., and alumnae met with senior girls at 11:45 a.m.
Alumni Advice to Seniors
Get to know your professors
Your professors may be teaching hundreds of students, particularly at large universities. Take the initiative to establish a relationship with professors and ask for help when needed. Professors keep office hours, so find out when those are if you need to request additional time.
Prepare ahead for sessions with your advisor
Each student is assigned an advisor. This person helps students determine their class schedule and signs off on the final schedule. Alums recommend getting prepared for advising sessions rather than relying entirely on an advisor who may be advising many others. Talk to people in your major to ask about what classes you need to take, how different teachers approach their classes, and how to choose and schedule classes for the best success. Be familiar with your AP and dual enrollment college credits to avoid repeating a class in which your JA work has met that course requirement. Review online teacher recommendations. Think about time as well. One commented that if you schedule 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. classes, you will not have time to eat lunch. Also, look at the campus map and ensure you have enough time to get from one class building to the next.
Develop discipline in studying
Alums advised seniors to eliminate cramming, manage time, and find ways to get their work done in the earlier part of each week. Students said in college it is not reasonable to think you can cram the night before a test and be successful. One noted that the libraries are jam-packed the night before midterms, making studying harder. Several students talked about time management, such as using gaps between classes to study and work. Commit to completing most work on Sunday through Wednesday because social events and ball games that are planned from Thursday through Saturday may compete with study time. Another recommendation is to do the assignment soon after it is given because other assignments also come in. “You have a lot of free time in college,” one alum remarked, noting that unlike a high school schedule, college schedules have large blocks of free time. Also, put the effort in. No one is monitoring your study habits. Mom is not there to remind you either, one commented.
If you don’t discipline yourself, you can have a bad first-semester average that takes a long time to correct. Several students recommended using Google spreadsheets to manage the deadlines from multiple class syllabi. With the spreadsheet, they could access the schedules on their phones and keep track of them. “Teachers may mention deadlines, but they don’t always remind you,” one said. Others found that physical planners are best for them. They suggested students print out each syllabus. Whichever method you choose, “don’t let things pile up,” they agreed. “I learned that the hard way,” one said.
Avoid being late
When students have been in a supportive environment such as JA, they may believe all teachers will work with them when school activities or circumstances interfere with the completion of work. College deadlines are more rigid, JA alums said. Some found little to no leniency on late assignments. Alums talked about the expectation for college students to keep up with the class requirements independently for the entire semester (using the syllabus) and get work in on time without relying on the teacher to prompt them.
It’s OK to branch out
College is a time of exposure to new ideas and people who may differ from what students have experienced previously. Alumni told seniors it was OK to branch out, meet new people, and make new friends. In some cases it may mean going in a different direction than your JA friends. One alum reminded students just to be themselves amid all the newness.
Making the most of dorm life
Students said to expect dorm life to be fun but know yourself and what you need in your living arrangements. Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with your roommate in which you share details about what would make dorm life comfortable. Talk about routines, such as visitors and shower times, and habits, such as music volume or times for winding down, before they become a problem.
Finding friends
Introduce yourself and be confident in the first few weeks of school. You will meet many new people. The female alums shared ideas on how to accomplish this. Early on, they introduced themselves to everyone on their dorm floor. They said there were a few awkward moments, but it was mostly positive. Later, the girls they met told them how much they appreciated their initiative; the other girls did not know how to break the ice. Another alumna said her floor kept doom room doors open during sorority recruitment and the first week of school. This open-door environment made it easier for the girls to meet one another.
Staying well
Alumni recommended being aware of how easy it is to get sick in an environment with many people. They also recommended taking preventative supplements to boost immunity and keeping a first aid kit.
Living the Greek life
If you choose to be part of a sorority or fraternity, the alumnae recommend keeping a calm perspective on the whole process. Ultimately, the recruitment process is a great way to meet people, regardless of the group you end up with or even if you don’t join a group. Advice included being yourself, being open-minded, and trusting the process. They recommended not getting too worked up when things don’t go exactly how you envisioned. How you act during recruitment may make many friends for you, both inside and outside the sorority or fraternity. One alumna said the people she met during recruitment are now ones she attends church and Bible studies with, even though they are not in the same sorority.
Give yourself grace
JA alums gave these bits of closing advice: The time from high school senior to college freshman is a growing period. It is a big adjustment for every student. Everyone is suddenly out of their comfort zone and doing something they have not done previously. Be excited. High school is just the beginning. You can make the best of these times when you are starting fresh. Know your identity, though, and recognize when you are being drawn into something that does not match your values. Enjoy every minute. It all works out. Be patient making friends, said one: “Don’t think the first person you meet will be your best friend. You will meet a lot of people in college.”
You are prepared
The first-year college students gave their former classmates an encouraging word as they concluded: “JA has prepared you for college.” Graduates described how well prepared they were to respond to the rigors of college, particularly writing. Some college freshmen’s classes covered material they had seen in the tenth or eleventh grade. They observed students beside them who were seeing the material for the first time and struggling. JA’s new alums expressed gratitude for how well JA prepared them to succeed in college.
