When you think about college, you may think first about studying and preparing for a career. But college also enriches your personal life. It helps you make important transitions.
Like many students, you may find that your first real opportunity to live away from your parents and family comes when you go to college. You will have to take greater personal responsibility on a day-to-day basis.
For example, you may be used to someone asking you every day whether you’ve finished your homework. Maybe you’re not allowed to do certain things—watch TV, play computer games, talk on the phone—until your homework is done.
When you go to college, you probably won’t be asked about homework all the time. You won’t be told when to do it. Although you might like this freedom, you might find that being asked about homework helped you stay on track. Now you will have to motivate yourself to succeed. You will have to set your own schedule.
For every freedom that you gain, you also gain a responsibility. Learning to balance these two—freedom and responsibility—is just one part of college. But it is a very important life skill.
You’ll find lots of support at college for making this transition. Professors will usually tell you when assignments are due and exams are scheduled. And lots of college services will be nearby, ready to help you organize your time.
