Transition Issues Transition Issues and Success and Success StrategiesStrategies

From High School to From High School to Saint Mary’s UniversitySaint Mary’s University

Today’s TopicsToday’s Topics

Transition Issues Transition Issues

Student Success—Active LearningStudent Success—Active Learning

Support services in Student ServicesSupport services in Student Services

Personal FreedomPersonal Freedom

Less supervision=more choices, more Less supervision=more choices, more personal responsibility and less inputpersonal responsibility and less input

Less structure in the learning Less structure in the learning process= increased importance of process= increased importance of time managementtime management

More opportunities to get involvedMore opportunities to get involved

Biggest ChallengesBiggest Challenges

Resisting the urge to hang out with Resisting the urge to hang out with friends rather than study/managing friends rather than study/managing their timetheir time

Establishing a regular sleeping scheduleEstablishing a regular sleeping schedule Choosing healthy foodsChoosing healthy foods Using drugs/Overuse of alcoholUsing drugs/Overuse of alcohol Sticking to a budgetSticking to a budget Roommate conflictRoommate conflict

Self-disciplineSelf-discipline

Success does not just happen—it Success does not just happen—it requires effort. Students need self-requires effort. Students need self-

discipline to put their plans into discipline to put their plans into action.action.

Student SuccessStudent Success

Self-awareness

Self-direction Self-esteem Self-discipline

Self-motivation

Motivation and SuccessMotivation and Success

Lack of motivation number one Lack of motivation number one barrier to student successbarrier to student success

– Arriving late to class, being absent, Arriving late to class, being absent, assignments turned in late or not at all, assignments turned in late or not at all, sloppy work, lack of participation; all sloppy work, lack of participation; all symptoms of lack of motivationsymptoms of lack of motivation

Becoming an Active LearnerBecoming an Active Learner

Biggest change from high school to Biggest change from high school to universityuniversity

Puts the student in charge of their Puts the student in charge of their own learningown learning

On the road to active On the road to active learninglearning

Show up for classesShow up for classes

Assess and improve study habitsAssess and improve study habits

Learn excellent time management Learn excellent time management skillsskills

Forming Academic AlliancesForming Academic Alliances

With other studentsWith other students

With ProfessorsWith Professors

With Student Services and support With Student Services and support staffstaff

Benefits of studying in a Benefits of studying in a groupgroup

CommitmentCommitment SupportSupport Shared informationShared information Active learningActive learning Learn important collaboration skillsLearn important collaboration skills

The Value of CollaborationThe Value of Collaboration

Students learn from studentsStudents learn from students Improved communication in smaller Improved communication in smaller

groupgroup Develop friendshipsDevelop friendships Develop leadership skillsDevelop leadership skills Learn to work with others—an Learn to work with others—an

essential skill in any future careeressential skill in any future career

Connecting with ProfessorsConnecting with Professors

Make an effortMake an effort

Visit them during office hoursVisit them during office hours

Behave professionallyBehave professionally

Important keys to Student Important keys to Student Success in UniversitySuccess in University

Time ManagementTime Management

Study SkillsStudy Skills

Stress ManagementStress Management

Know what services are Know what services are availableavailable

Encourage students to find out who Encourage students to find out who is available to help them is available to help them

(counsellors, financial aid officers, (counsellors, financial aid officers, student advisors, etc.)student advisors, etc.)

What do we do at SMU to What do we do at SMU to help?help?

Student Services organizes:Student Services organizes:– New Student and Family New Student and Family

OrientationOrientation in July in July

– FYIFYI (First Year Initiative) (First Year Initiative)

What is FYI all about?What is FYI all about?

Developing key academic skillsDeveloping key academic skills Social interactionSocial interaction Interacting with the SMU communityInteracting with the SMU community Learning all about services available Learning all about services available

to SMU studentsto SMU students Helping students take control of their Helping students take control of their

future!future!

Things to Remind Things to Remind students...students...

It is a transitionIt is a transition

Their success is their responsibilityTheir success is their responsibility

Take a balanced approachTake a balanced approach

Advice for new studentsAdvice for new students

Get involvedGet involved Build relationshipsBuild relationships Protect their transcriptsProtect their transcripts Build their resume from day 1Build their resume from day 1 Set goalsSet goals Make themselves proudMake themselves proud Ask for help!Ask for help!

Questions? Questions? Comments?Comments?