Watch: Personal responsibility in college

Transition to college

College can be a huge change. Meeting new people, leaving your home support system, unfamiliar academic work, and financial stress can all be very new experiences. In this video, Rachel talks about balancing college work with a part time job she needs to fund her food and rent.

What does this mean for me?

Whether we liked or loathed secondary school, one thing it gave us was a regular routine and structure. It was clear where we had to be and what we had to do. There were plenty of teachers to keep an eye on us and to crack the whip when needed.

When we start in college, there is usually less direct scrutiny. This increased autonomy can be exhilarating, but also quite daunting too.  Get into good habits early to feel on top of your workload.

Here are some things that might help:

Get into a routine

You don’t have to be rigid, but try to adopt some sort of weekly schedule. This can help feel more in control. It may also lead to better sleep, which can impact on our mental health and concentration levels.

Maintain a balance of activities

You’ll have heard the importance of ‘work, rest and play’.

We need to pay attention to keeping a balance. Try not to be too focused on college social life or on achieving a 1.1. This can lead to increased stress.

Be kind and allow yourself to settle in

We can slip into being self-critical if we feel we are not getting on top of things quickly enough. Give yourself a chance to get used to your new situation.

Ask for help

If you find yourself falling behind on course work or are struggling to keep up with all you have to do, let someone know. Your student services centre might be a good place to start.