The University Environment

The environment at four‑year universities is unlike any high school or two‑year college you will ever experience.  Make note of the following differences and the methods that you can use to adjust. 

Class Size, Professors, and T.A.'s

             Coming from smaller schools, many students feel over­whelmed by the number of students in their university classes. This is problematic for several reasons. Lectures often offer little interaction with the professor, leaving many students confused and frustrated. Also, some students are intimidated to ask ques­tions in class and feel they could ask their questions after class. However, be­cause most students hold their questions until after class it is very difficult to get any sort of meaningful answer to their questions. To solve this dilemma, try visiting the professors during their office hours. In community college and especially in high school, it is easy to get spoiled by the accessibility of some instructors. At the university, using office hours is crucial when you are feeling lost in a class. It is a wise idea to treat office hours as an extension of the class.

Some professors and teaching assistants can be very in­timidating, and at times they may seem very unapproachable. What you need to remember is you are paying a lot of money to be here, and it is their respon­sibility to provide answers to your questions during the class and in their of­fice hours. The key is to attend office hours early in the term, during the first week if you can. You must plan time to visit your professor’s and T.A.’s on a regular basis. Far too many students only go to office hours during mid‑terms or finals week in a desperate attempt at gaining some insight. Your professors or T.A.s are much more receptive and accom­modating to those students who have made a practice of regular visits to their offices. This also enables a connection to develop between you and the pro­fessor which will be useful if you need to speak to them about assistance for the class, a grade dispute, or a letter of recommendation.

“Knowing it All”

            This seems to be the attitude of many of the faculty and staff on campus. Transfer students (and even freshmen) are commonly expected to step on campus and know where to find everything and everyone. School officials assume that since transfer students have been to college before, they should be able to figure the system out. Here as well, some faculty and staff do not want to be bothered with questions concerning logistics. The key to solving this prob­lem is to network with as many resources and fellow students as you can. Take down phone numbers of fellow students or get an email address. The more people you meet and get to know, the more people you have to ask when a question arises. Famil­iarize yourself with as many campus resources such as helpful faculty, staff, and fellow students as you can and use them to their fullest extent. That’s what they are there for. Remember, no one cares about your progress on campus as much as you do. It is in your best interest to inves­tigate and become as resourceful as you can.

Competition

            The level of competition at a university can be fairly intense and might become a source of frustration to some students. Many students are looking toward graduate school, and as a result, these students feel as though they are in competition with each other for a seat in grad school. To lessen the frustration, allow yourself to take inventory of your resources to in­crease your level of course understanding. The most useful and valuable of these resources can be study groups. Try to form a study group for each of your classes to make studying significantly easier. By using a study group all the members are working toward a common goal, and thereby eliminating any feelings of competition, at least among your group.

Realistic Goals

            Many new students who come to a university system come in with very high grade point averages and expect to continue that success upon arrival.  It is important, however, to understand that the strategies that proved successful in previous schools might not work at the university level. Lectures and material might be presented quite differently, and discussion in some lectures might be very minimal. Upper division classes will require more reading, writing and research than you may have previously experienced. Remember that your professors expect the same results from you as those of everyone else (traditional, non-traditional, transfer, etc.). You might have to alter the way you prepare and study for your classes. Talk to students who have taken the classes you are enrolled in and ask them for advice on how to be successful in your classes. Since your first term is period of adjustment when you will be dealing with a myriad of other alterations and adaptations, it is imperative that realistic academic goals given these circumstances. 

            Walking into your first term with expectations of obtaining a 4.0 might be unrealistic and ultimately discouraging.  The process of adjustment takes up a considerable amount of time and energy that will be diverted from your studies.  A new home, new environment, new classes, new expectations, new friends, and new responsibilities are a lot to deal with all at once.  Understand that your grades for your couple of terms will most likely be negatively affected by the adjustment process.  This does not mean you are a poor student or unfit for a university education.  Shooting for an “A” in a class is a good thing, but be sure to set a goal that is adjusted accordingly so that improvement can be made while discouragement and self-criticism can be avoided.

Adjusting to the Quarter System

            Most high schools and community colleges are based on a 17-week semester system.  Students from these schools find it very difficult to adjust to the fast pace of the 11-week quarter system.  Understand that due to the short amount of time, professors tend to cram a lot of information in a little space.  It is vital that you keep up with the work and complete all of the necessary readings.  Midterms can start as early as the third week and appear as late as the eighth week.  Make a study schedule and stick to it.  Once you fall behind in the quarter system, it is very difficult to make up for lost time.  Without the proper preparation, lecture and discussion can be difficult to understand, let alone participate in.  If the quarter system is new to you, overestimate the amount of time you will need to study for your first term.  Ask other students about the hidden curriculum (see Introduction and Time Management & Dealing with Procrastination) they use to achieve success.  Take a safe approach by planning ahead and making adjustments accordingly.

Feeling of Disconnection to the Campus

            Many students who transfer to a university feel disconnected from the campus and other students who have been their longer.  In addition, shy freshmen typically feel lost during their first couple of terms.  Regardless of what kind of student you are, there is a good possibility you are far away from your home, your friends, and other comfortable surroundings.  Students who commute are at particular risk of feeling disconnected from the campus. They get to campus just in time for their first class, and rush to beat traffic right after their last class, giving them no time to meet people or get involved in any on-campus activities.

To rem­edy this problem, students may wish to become involved with various on-campus groups, organizations, and clubs where they can participate in activities during their time spent on campus. Such groups are a great way to meet people with your similar interests and quite possibly students who have recently been in your exact position. This can make you feel less anxious as a new student and more comfortable being at a new campus.   Getting involved with campus organizations and meeting new people will invariably lessen any feelings of disconnection

Get to Know your Campus

             Many students feel overwhelmed and intimidated by the large size of a university. With so many buildings and a large student body, transitioning students may feel lost during their first few weeks at their new campus. To minimize these feelings, visit your new campus at least once and familiarize yourself about locations of classes before school starts. Try to gain an awareness of important buildings, parking, student health, and other main offices.  If you can, attend orientation sessions in order to receive a formal introduction to the university.  If you can’t, take a campus tour and devote an entire day to knowing the ins and outs of your university.  Make an appointment with your department advisor to learn more about your major requirements, classes and professors. The more you know about your new school, the less anxious you will feel which will help you feel comfortable and confident as a university student.