Transition Issues and Success Strategies From High School to Saint Mary’s University

Today’s Topics Transition Issues Transition Issues Student Success—Active Learning Student Success—Active Learning Support services in Student Services Support services in Student Services

Personal Freedom Less supervision=more choices, more personal responsibility and less input Less supervision=more choices, more personal responsibility and less input Less structure in the learning process= increased importance of time management Less structure in the learning process= increased importance of time management More opportunities to get involved More opportunities to get involved

Biggest Challenges Resisting the urge to hang out with friends rather than study/managing their time Resisting the urge to hang out with friends rather than study/managing their time Establishing a regular sleeping schedule Establishing a regular sleeping schedule Choosing healthy foods Choosing healthy foods Using drugs/Overuse of alcohol Using drugs/Overuse of alcohol Sticking to a budget Sticking to a budget Roommate conflict Roommate conflict

Self-discipline Success does not just happen—it requires effort. Students need self-discipline to put their plans into action. Success does not just happen—it requires effort. Students need self-discipline to put their plans into action.

Student Success Self- awareness Self- direction Self- esteem Self- motivation Self- discipline

Motivation and Success Lack of motivation number one barrier to student success Lack of motivation number one barrier to student success –Arriving late to class, being absent, assignments turned in late or not at all, sloppy work, lack of participation; all symptoms of lack of motivation

Becoming an Active Learner Biggest change from high school to university Biggest change from high school to university Puts the student in charge of their own learning Puts the student in charge of their own learning

On the road to active learning Show up for classes Show up for classes Assess and improve study habits Assess and improve study habits Learn excellent time management skills Learn excellent time management skills

Forming Academic Alliances With other students With other students With Professors With Professors With Student Services and support staff With Student Services and support staff

Benefits of studying in a group Commitment Commitment Support Support Shared information Shared information Active learning Active learning Learn important collaboration skills Learn important collaboration skills

The Value of Collaboration Students learn from students Students learn from students Improved communication in smaller group Improved communication in smaller group Develop friendships Develop friendships Develop leadership skills Develop leadership skills Learn to work with others—an essential skill in any future career Learn to work with others—an essential skill in any future career

Connecting with Professors  Make an effort  Visit them during office hours  Behave professionally

Important keys to Student Success in University Time Management Time Management Study Skills Study Skills Stress Management Stress Management

Know what services are available Encourage students to find out who is available to help them (counsellors, financial aid officers, student advisors, etc.) Encourage students to find out who is available to help them (counsellors, financial aid officers, student advisors, etc.)

What do we do at SMU to help? Student Services organizes: Student Services organizes: –New Student and Family Orientation in July –FYI (First Year Initiative)

What is FYI all about? Developing key academic skills Developing key academic skills Social interaction Social interaction Interacting with the SMU community Interacting with the SMU community Learning all about services available to SMU students Learning all about services available to SMU students Helping students take control of their future! Helping students take control of their future!

Things to Remind students... It is a transition It is a transition Their success is their responsibility Their success is their responsibility Take a balanced approach Take a balanced approach

Advice for new students Get involved Get involved Build relationships Build relationships Protect their transcripts Protect their transcripts Build their resume from day 1 Build their resume from day 1 Set goals Set goals Make themselves proud Make themselves proud Ask for help! Ask for help!

Questions? Comments?