1. Transitions: Tips to Help You and Your Student Adjust to College
University of Maryland
Counseling Center
(301)

2. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
The Counseling Center
Counseling Service
Disability Support Service
Learning Assistance Service
Testing and Research Unit
(301)
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

3. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
Transition Memories
Transitions are times of ebbs and flows… ups and downs in performance, changes in emotional state, and changes in behavior.
Transitions to college involve four major developmental challenges:
Competence
Autonomy
Identity
Intimacy/Relationships
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

4. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
Competence
Can I make it in college and in the world?
Am I ready to take on this challenge?
Am I capable of making my own decisions?
What are my strengths?
How do I deal with my weaknesses?
Do I have the coping strategies to deal with failure or mistakes?
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

5. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
Autonomy
Struggling to grow up as a young adult; to establish oneself as an individual
Learning to separate from home, parents, friends, and family
Learning to make independent decisions
Learning to manage one’s life
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

6. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
Identity
Who am I?
What do I want to be?
What do I want to do?
Learning to develop a sense of self
Interests
Values
Belief System
Career Direction
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

7. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
Relationships
Learning to establish new and different relationships with students from diverse backgrounds.
Understanding oneself in the context of relationships with others.
Dealing with issues of personal intimacy
Managing conflict and disagreements
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

8. Common Parent Concerns
What is the best advice I can give my student?
How soon should my student choose a major?
What are students’ biggest transition problems?
How should we handle the large campus size?
Are my expectations realistic?
How will parent-child relationships change?
What if things go badly?
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

9. Best Advice (for parents)
Encourage a healthy daily routine
Foster independence and self-responsibility
Help to make academics the priority
Help your son/daughter learn from mistakes
Know campus resources
UMCP Resource Directory (Click on Self-Help → Resource Directory)
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

10. Best Advice (for students)
Go to class
Have realistic expectations
Develop a healthy, daily routine
Explore and make connections
to UMCP, to peers, to faculty, to clubs & organizations
Create “neighborhoods within the city”
Get to know one faculty member well
Use resources
Be assertive and persistent
Understand the academic demands
University of Maryland Counseling Center
College Park, Maryland

11. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
Choosing a Major
Many students don’t know or change their minds
By the end of freshman year, 40% of students change their major
Encourage exploration (100+ majors) – Assessment of strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes
EDCP 108C: Choosing a Major (1 credit)
Genuine interest in the subject matter
Know what jobs they can get
Prepare beyond the classroom
internships, leadership roles, clubs, mentors
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

12. Biggest Transition Problems
Overall adjustment to college
Sleeping, eating, exercise & technology
Adjustment to a large campus
Lack of a consistent daily routine (time management)
Social isolation and disconnection
Change in academic demands
Class attendance
Academic rigor
Change in support network and creating a new one
Inadequate coping and/or problem solving skills
Reluctance to ask for help, not using available resources
Financial management
Juggling work/family demands (for some)
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

13. And for transfer students…
They have college experience, so may
Underestimate adjustment to new setting
Be overly confident about academic performance
Transfer student e-community
EDCP 108G: The Transfer Student in the University (1 credit)
University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland

14. University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland
Campus Size
Think of the campus as a city with smaller communities.
Classes range in size from 20 to Larger classes have smaller discussion groups.
Encourage your student to take advantage of the discussion groups where more interaction and individual attention may be given.
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

15. Realistic Expectations
Expect some changes in academic performance.
There will be problems and things may go badly.
The key to resolving problems is to help your student develop good problem-solving and coping skills as a means to foster growth.
Effective problem solving is the goal.
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

16. Changing Parent-Child Relationships
Parents are consultants.
Work through problems together, resist the temptation to do it all for your student; doing it all impedes the learning process, maturity growth, and independence.
Important consultation skills
Listening
Asking questions
More listening
Knowing your subject
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

17. University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland
What if things go badly?
Effective problem-solving.
Try something new.
Consult experts.
Hang in there.
University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland

18. University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland
Conclusion
College is fun and challenging for students and parents. Enjoy it!
Learn as much as you can today about the university and its resources. Making this connection will help your student and you.
If things get too challenging and you need help, contact the Counseling Center. We’re here for students and parents.
University of Maryland Counseling Center, College Park, Maryland

19. Counseling Center Resources
Academic skills: counseling, workshops, & courses (time management, study skills, exam skills, test anxiety, math, writing)
Emotional-Social counseling: stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, adjustments
Career counseling & workshops
Disability support services: advocacy & accommodations
University of Maryland Counseling Center College Park, Maryland

20. Transitions: Tips to Help You and Your Student Adjust to College
University of Maryland
Counseling Center
Shoemaker Building