There is much to talk about in the transition into college. Whether you are attending college right out of high school or, like myself, have been here for a few years, the transition is always a struggle. Most issues consist of having to do everything on your own.
Remember in high school and throughout your earlier school days when teachers hounded you about assignments? Unfortunately, that is something not found in college. College professors expect you to look at your syllabus, know what assignments are coming up and their due dates. It is your responsibility – it is not your instructors’ to hand over the bottle and feed it to you too.
Another issue is attendance. This is not like high school where you (and your parents) can get in trouble for truancy. Either you, your parents, or financial aid is paying for your classes; Therefore, showing up to your classes is your own decision.
Nick Vukich, a freshman at NKU, said that ‘being away from friends I’m used to’ is one of the hardest transitions for him. This leads me to something else worthy of mentioning – homesickness and depression. I was born and have lived in the greater Cincinnati area for the vast majority of my life, but that is not the case for some newcomers.
Many have the homesick blues while attending college. Because I am leaving you on the note of depression, here is a funny story – which may or may be true.
A local college had a policy that if a teacher was at least 15 minutes late for class, students would be dismissed with no effect on students’ grades or attendance. One class took full advantage of the rule. In a room full of students not too fond of the course they were taking, was a very sensitive clock. Every time they threw a piece of chalk at it, it would skip one minute. Every day, students came in and threw chalk at it like crazy. Fifteen minutes later, the students would leave. Unbeknownst to them, their teacher wasn’t as oblivious as his pupils thought he was and waited until midterms to get revenge.
He passed out the exams and told students they had one hour to finish. The students started, and all at once, the teacher threw 60 pieces of chalk at the clock.
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