Leah Coyle's Adjusting To College

Even after making the transition to Deer River High School in sixth grade, I continued to glide through school. My pattern of being underchallenged continued until I discovered College in the Schools classes this past fall. Finally, I was challenged (perhaps at times even more so than I imagined,) and I’ve grown exponentially in the past academic year. However, I feel as if that exponential growth is reaching its capacity in this specific environment. Becoming a part of the College of St. Scholastica’s academic environment would allow me to begin a new pattern of exponential growth both as a student and as a person.

The transition from high school to college is a dynamic time in one’s life that parallels the change from childhood to adulthood. Both of these changes are dramatic and, as a result, feelings are difficult to put down into words. A messy combination of emotions fills the heart, surfacing in strange ways. Confident high school seniors go right back to the bottom of the chain when entering college as freshmen. These students start all over, just like entering grade school or high school for the first time. The move up from high school to college signals the switch from dependence to self-sufficiency. From a personal point of view, going through the experience of graduating high school and transferring to a residential college campus at STLCOP, made me realize I was no longer a kid and capable of making my own decisions.

As I look back on my four years at Lisgar Collegiate Institute, I see a profound impact in all facets of school life, from academics and arts and athletics to clubs and school society and community service.

I, Ella Dutton, have officially been a “lifer” at St. Anne’s. From Pre-K to eighth grade, I have continued to be a contributing member of the community. Throughout the years, I have been a tour guide, led an activity period, been a member of Tech Crew, and participated in as many sports as possible, been in three drama productions. I’ve also made many amazing friendships with people who I never thought I would be friends with. At St. Anne’s, I have learned everything from diagramming sentences to how to strive to be the best person I can be. It has definitely been a long, but wild ride at St. Anne’s.

When asked about her time so far at UM she stated, “I don’t like it here. I just don’t like school and I think the people here are too different then back home.” Further expressing a concern that she feels very isolated while at UM, a contribution to Sarah’s poor grades may derive from the fact that she was too preoccupied with adjusting to an environment that is so new to her that it is a shock. The oddity of Sarah’s comment though is that she has already built strong relationships with many people at the university, including her roommate. Sarah states her roommate is most influential in making her feel as if she is not alone as she is always there to talk to and comfort her. This scenario is not uncommon among many college students, but it is especially prevalent among first generation college students because of the strong ties to family that are often seen with these type of students.

Jenn McCabe and Jamie Valente are a fantastic team and are role models to our chapter. They consistently work hard to plan and implement the chapter’s goals along with the officers. Without their constant hard work and guidance we would not have been able to accomplish every goal we had set. They always go out of their way to encourage the officers to strive to do their best. Jenn and Jamie have worked as a team planning any and all trips that we have attended and will be attending. This includes everything from regional and international conferences, hosting the Mini Honors Conference at Macomb Community College, and Alternative Spring Break. They work as a team to facilitate and implement a commencement ceremony twice a year. They help to

R/s Mary (mom) drinks a lot and goes out and leaves Leah (13) home alone. R/s Leah has to get herself ready for school because Mary is usually drunk or hungover.

She is a born leader, and works excellently in groups and frequently pushes her groups to reach their goals. Furthermore, I have rarely seen a student more respectful to both teachers and her peers than Georgia. She is a very social person, and is both outgoing and funny. Georgia is also exceptionally creative. She is always pushing herself to look at challenges and assignments in a different way and it always pays off, especially when writing essays and in other written assignments, as she is an amazing writer. The characteristics that Georgia has demonstrated throughout her entire high school career have prepared her for the upcoming challenge of collegiate academics. I am certain she will approach these new opportunities with the same persistency and drive for excellence that she applies to all of her endeavors, especially as she challenges herself with the new learning experiences and community that are available in the college setting. To conclude, Georgia is an extraordinary student and person, and I recommend her to this school with my highest regards. Sincerely, Georgia Beckmann Head of College Counselling Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Collegiate

Faith is experiencing her first few weeks adjusting to the life of a college student. This adjustment period created some difficulties, yet also some great experiences for her. She walks around the oceanfront campus unsure of her friendships, schoolwork, and how to successfully live a college lifestyle. However, she continues through this rocky time attempting to engage in positive behaviors and continue active participation in daily life. This adjustment period is proving difficult for Faith, yet with proper goals, and progressive actions, she can reach an occupational balance.

As she states “All across the country, I have been overwhelmed by the prevailing sadness on American campuses”(Caroline Bird). This made me think that Caroline Bird fails to recognize the one major thing is college about: learning. While I am excited to go to college to see all the new and shiny things, I know that it's going to be harder than high school. It's going to be a grind, with all nighters and some final weeks with little to no sleep. I won't be happy during these times, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to be there, or that I shouldn’t go to college because it's hard. College is like a stepping stone for almost everyone. Transitioning from the cuddled high schooler’s life into the real world. Learning to how live on your own is an important part of life, and it isn't very fun. Having to manage your money, cook your own food, or just doing your own laundry, college is where the transition takes place from most people. College, however, can also be very fun. When I visited college campuses, like Cincinnati, all I saw and heard were smiles and laughter, it was almost overwhelming, kinda like a child

Rolling Meadows graduate Abbey Hill (2012) started her college experience feeling uneasy about being away from her friends and family. She says that her first roommate being a complete “slob”, who “devoured their entire room” didn’t help her feel any better. She says this little speedbump didn’t slow her down in any way, and today she is a senior at University of Illinois expecting to graduate this coming spring.

It was kind of inspirational reading about this, and I felt like it related more to me since I'm attending UNCC. She was a strong woman and wanted to build this up herself, and I admire that. It grew because of her own hard work, not the work of anyone else. This reminded me of one of the speeches made during the Day of Convocation, by a student who had actually asked her about transferring to another school. She asked him whether he wanted to be the one to help UNCC grow, or go to a “better” school and just take what they had to offer, having no part in it's success at all. This made me think a little about myself. I was accepted to UNC Chapel Hill. Even though they may be more well known, I still wanted to come here instead. I didn't have the same reasoning behind my choice as what Ms. Bonnie had told that student, but really liked hearing those words. Again, it's all very inspirational and I want to do my part in making things even better than they already

The first experience with Jalisa Scott from CADD was not what I expected at all. Jalisa Scott was so well kept and humble. Her presentation wasn’t long and drawn out, instead it was very inspiring and educational. I was captivated by what her job required of her and how she fulfilled her role faithfully no matter how difficult some situations were.

Many people may recognize high school as a fresh start, their second chance, a clean slate to start anew with their friends, academics, and most importantly, themselves. At the beginning of this school year, I entered CHS as a freshmen, new and inexperienced to the world that we highschoolers call home here at Cactus for the next four years of our lives. Looking back on this past year, I can see how much I’ve grown as a person. I’ve met new people, I’ve gotten involved, and I know that I am not invisible. I’ve struggled through tests with my classmates, and made memories in clubs after school with them. My classmates have become my second family, and I love each and every one of them individually as much as I love Cactus as whole. At the beginning of the year, I ran for the freshmen student council and was blessed enough to be selected as one of the members at large.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one student to dissolve the bonds which have held him to his high school life, he can get fairly intimidated. Making the transition from high school to college can be a tough one. I remember my experience in such a transition vividly, as it was only a short time ago.