Transition To Independence

Coming to college for me was absolutely terrifying. I am a very independent person so it was not all that difficult to leave behind my family and I knew that I would talk to them all the time. Coming to a state I have never been to before with no one I know nearby was definitely a huge challenge. I am a very social person I love people and enjoy socializing but I have had a group of the same close friends around me since kindergarten so it was really hard to leave them behind. Another challenge for me is learning what switching from a high school institution to a college institution truly is. Even though I’m very independent and honestly did pretty much whatever I wanted my senior year of high school, it is still the most

Starting college in August of 2008 was completely different than what I was expecting. My parents loaded up my car and sent me on my way to gain a college degree and experience life on my own, but looking back over the situation, I tend to ask myself numerous times do I think I was ready for college and the responsibilities that were to come along with it. Each time the answer was no. Being the first person in my family to go off to college away from home, I had no idea what to expect, or how to handle the things that come along with college life. Needless to say, it took me several major changes and me leaving my first university and transferring to one at home for me to get a handle of the situation.

In the past, my parents did not have the privilege to go to college. At the age of twelve, they had to help their family with their agricultural work in the farm. There wasn’t time for them to study and go to college. Since this is my first year in college, I feel that it is a whole new different atmosphere from high school. Instead of going to classes meeting every day, it is typically two times a week. Ever since the first semester of college, I feel that I became more independent

According to Lupien, McEwan, Gunnar, and Heim (2009), going off to college involves significant adjustments to their daily routines; sleeping and eating habits, time-management skills, and stress levels will be altered in one way or another. First-year students have to adjust to the new school environment, different social settings, and new schedules, all without the help and guidance from their parents, who have been there for them for eighteen years. Over 30% of college freshman report that they feel overwhelmed (Klainberg, Ewing, & Ryan, 2010), where some students even opt to work as they juggle their class and work schedules. Some students work at a job or study harder than others, but they are all trying to get degrees so maybe one day they will have meaningful and significant lives. It is a constant struggle for everyone who is trying desperately to make him or herself into a success. And every college student wants to be involved in society in a positive manner, allowing contribution of their ideals and values to others.

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.

The shift from high school to college involves a change in identity from a simple high school student to a professional college undergraduate. According to Stephen et al (2012) the school system focuses on “independent” variables, while first generation students need a more “interdependent” environment to thrive. These two variables will be explained in more depth further in the paper. Also, other research articles found that first-generation college student (FGCS) cannot benefit from their parents’ experiences in preparing for and applying to college (Sanez et al, 2007). As a result, FGCS are less exposed to the support and other contributing aspects that provide preparation to their peers, continuing-generation student (CGS), as they go through college (Mehta et al, 2011).

the united states of America is a nation that was born through war and rebellion. the most important artifact that declares we are a free country is that of the decleration of independence. Occording to archives.gov "the decleration of independence was drafted by "Committee of Five" (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson) drafted the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson drafted it, Adams and Franklin made changes to it. Congress reconvened on July 1, 1776." the decleration was intended to tell their people that they were free and to tell the many countries especially the english. according to classroom.monticello.org the artifact was created to state as to why the colonies wanted to be

To start, I have always been the kid that never really had traumatic family issues, as I was also the kid who could be considered ‘spoiled’. My parents typically found a way to give me what was asked, and ensured that my sibling and I always had what we needed. I grew up with a sibling, six years older, who came to be the child who was not athletic, nearly failed high school multiple times, and did not attend college. On the flip side, I was the child making straight ‘A’s in high school, thriving in softball, and planning to attend college. I lived in a very rundown town in Estill County, Kentucky called Irvine. With that, I attended Estill County High School, excelling my freshman through the middle of my sophomore year, where I transferred unwillingly to Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky due to my mother getting a better paying job. The biggest differences between the two high schools would be the amount of students, the success rates, and the different styles of teaching. What seemed to be my whole world turning upside down at the time, turned to being the best decision made for me and my family today.

Young adults are now living on their own, having to balance money and to pay rent, and to have the discipline to get up for school with no one making you. The people at college were there because they wanted to be. I, unfortunately, did not want to be, so I made it apparent in other ways. Having that new found independence does not have to be a bad thing. For me, I would skip class because no one made me go. I would stay out to the late hours of the night because no one told me I had to be home. I would make poor choices because I would not listen to anyone. For me, my new found independence did not work out so well. I was young, naive, and careless. Now I am smarter. No one is paying for me to be in college. I am. No one is forcing me to go; I want to be there. I want to make something of myself and not have this guilt hang over my shoulders anymore. I want to say I have a degree and be the best role model that my children can have. I may not have “new” found independence, but I had the courage to finally forgive myself and try again. It took me many years to convince myself to go back to college. Am I too old now? Am I smart enough? I finally had to put all my doubts aside and give this college thing another try. I am different now. I am older and wiser, and this is my

I knew college was going to change me in many ways. Yet, after my family and I restructured our collective and individual emotional reactivity over the three years that I was away at school, I believed my work in that department was done. I thought transiting into college was difficult, however, I found myself once again unprepared for the aftershock that rocked my family once I return from school. I left college a strong, independent, mature, and differentiated person, or at least I kind of did.

Going into college, I knew that there will be an abundance of life lessons learned, but I did not ken that I would be able to absorb so much in such a short duration. This past year in college, I gained vital skills and grew stronger mentally. College is a place where everyone learns from their failures and successes, and with that, there are numerous things to learn from that. My experiences in college edified me how to work with others, communicate with professionals efficaciously, and make perdurable relationships. In addition, being away from home and living in an unfamiliar environment without my family availed me to become independent. Surviving on my own, I learned to make my bed, cook, do laundry, clean up after myself, and more. College taught me skills beyond the classroom, and it withal a leeway to becoming independent away

The transition into college can be a defining moment in a person’s life. They have opportunities to work hard and be successful and also opportunities to slack off and be disappointed. I feel confident in my ability to transition smoothly into college life. Many parts of my high school career, both at school and away from school have prepared me for what is ahead in my life.

For most, growing up is an exciting time. The feeling of moving along from childhood to adulthood is often indescribable. Graduating appears to be one of the most wonderful and scary paths on the road to adulthood. According to most graduates, the best time of your life comes after high school. We are given the chance to discover and learn more about who we are in the world. For students enrolled at the abundance of universities and colleges spread across the nation, campus life marks an era of extraordinary opportunities. Unfortunately, this also creates a gap for unique risk. Almost all people are away from home for the first time and are adjusting to the to life away from the protection of their parent’s home. Often times, this could be

It may be the first time you are on your own, the first time you left your parents, or even the first time you have been away from the safety of your hometown. And while, no, I do not anticipate that my experience in college will be without obstacle, I can say that I feel more prepared for the changes that are to come thanks to this lifelong experience. I have left “home” every one to five years for eighteen years. I have learned to care for myself, to be self reliant, and to care for my family while my father was gone. Moving to different towns, to different states and areas, has made me patient with people, patient with change, and patient with myself. The struggle of switching schools has taught me to be more responsible. The journeys that I have been on compels my being to leap into the next adventure, not to sit still in waiting. I am eager and ready for the changes that are to come, and with patience and perseverance, I am confident that I can overcome the hurdles that will be in my way. When you ask “What characteristics will help you to be successful?”, the common responses are “perseverance”, “responsibility”, “being adaptive”, and “having an optimistic attitude”.

The Americanization of going to college is idolized, treasured, and held at a historic prestige here in the United States. You put your hope, hard earned money from summer jobs, faith, endless tears, ACT scores, missing high school football games, slaving away your weekends, and giving up your entire “social life” at the age of seventeen is an epidemic. In the end you’re doing it to get a piece of paper delivered to you in the mail. You pace back and forth, you constantly pester the mailman and even know exactly when he gets to your neighborhood just for the sliver of hope today is the day. Don’t get me wrong I’m the same way especially wanting to transfer to an out of state school after I’m done at ccd. But when you take a minute to stop and think about what you’re volunteering for it can be quite frightening. The dorm life is known as having the full “college experience”. It’s truly exhilarating experience but can only imagine the only experience vie had with it first round was helping my sister move into her dorm freshman year at Regis university. You’re finally escaping the tight grasp of your parents who are insane however you’ll miss them. No more sharing a room next door to your pestering little brother who is always asking for rides and never respects your privacy. New friends, cute boys, cool parties, your own rules and freedom finally. You walk out of your dorm and take on that first day of school. You unknowingly put your trust, safety, well-being, and home cooked