Presentation Transcript

1. The Trip of a Lifetime:making a Successful Transition to The College of New Jersey

   Presented by: Magda Manetas, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
2. Goals To guide you in developing realistic expectations of the TCNJ college experience To assist you as you prepare for the transition to TCNJ To encourage you to develop strategies to build on the benefits and cope with challenges of entering as a transfer student To provide you and your family with information about TCNJ resources
3. Benefits and Challenges Benefits: Maturity Experience with College Environment & Expectations Focus Developed Wisdom, Knowledge & Skills Experience with Change & Transition Living Off Campus Challenges: “Baggage Fees” Dealing with THIS Transition Entry Mid-Year An Accelerated College Experience Timeline Living Off Campus
4. Partnering with Parents Student Affairs Email – sa@tcnj.edu Parents Webpage – http://www.tcnj.edu/~sa/parents/ Parents Listserve Family Weekend 2011- October 21-22 Problem-Solving Parental Notification Letter FERPA Billing Notification - ~sfs/account/ - Auxiliary Access User Parent and Family Association Executive Board
5. Preparing for Success What changes might I experience? How can I prepare for these changes in advance and manage them as I experience them?
6. Health and Safety Transition to: Taking More Responsibility for Personal Health and Safety Increased Level of Independence Change in Environment – Home to College & College to College Change in Consequences – State and College Processes Strategies for Success: Discuss Family & Student Expectations Understand Expectations of the College & Consequences for Violations - Application to Off Campus Life Question/Challenge Connection of Substance Use to the College Experience Knowledge - Students Who Are Actively Engaged in their Education Less Likely to Use Alcohol Anticipate Need for Healthy Coping Strategies for College Health Issues Seek Assistance – Alcohol and Drug Education Program, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Dean of Students Office
7. Campus Safety More Strategies… Think About Safety in New Environment Take More Time Before Trusting Individuals New to You Travel with Others When On and Off Campus Be Aware of and Utilize 9-1-1/Campus Police 24-7/Bike Patrols/Escort Service Lock Residence Hall Rooms & Cars Support Campus Safety Features (exterior doors, 24-7 residence hall card swipe access system) Subscribe to Campus Text-Messaging System
8. Academic Effort and Success Transition to: Fewer Grading Opportunities Different Relationship with Faculty Competitive Environment Our Expectation of Your Active Engagement in Learning Experience Strategies for Success: Build on Success Get to Know Faculty & Work with Academic Advisor Refer to Syllabus and Work Backwards from Major Assignments and Tests to Prepare Develop and Apply a Study Plan Act Quickly to Address Problems – Faculty/Tutoring/Center for Academic Success Keep and Analyze a Time Log
9. Dealing with Personal Finances Transition to: Increased Control Over & Responsibility for Expenditures Increase in Cost of Education Credit Card Management Strategies for Success: Build on Success Family Discussion of Spending/Saving Expectations (including guidelines for credit card use) Use of Debit Card in Place of Credit Card Track Expenses – Checking In Alternate Bill Payer Option for Parents Employment Utilize Student Financial Services – 11:00 Session
10. Navigating a New System Transition to: Need to Accomplish Tasks More Independently Learning to Take Responsibility Embedding in a New College Environment Finding Off-Campus Housing Strategies for Success: Read TCNJ Material and Forms Identify Information Source and Record Information Pay Attention to Deadlines Speak Up and Ask Questions Attend Residential Education and Housing Session & Access Link: tcnj.edu/~reslife/assignments/offcampus.html for information re: off-campus rentals
11. Divesting and Investing Transition to: New Environment Need to Develop New Social Network Feeling Homesick Strategies for Success: Build on Success Anticipate Changes in Relationships & Interaction Anticipate Possibility of Homesickness Put Away the Suitcase & Settle In
12. Getting Involved Transition to: Affiliating & Embedding in New Environment Strategies for Success: Build on Success Attend Student Activities Fair – 1/26/11 Utilize Student Activities Website Join the Student Transfer Association – sta@tcnj.edu & Off-Campus Student Organization – ocso@tcnj.edu Explore Campus – Art Gallery, Hiack Observatory, Concert Hall “Try On” Activities and Organizations Ask Other Students, Staff and Faculty Consider Balance of Academics, Campus Involvement and Personal Time
13. Resources Associate Dean of Students – Angela Lauer Chong/BSC 230: General Support Off-Campus Living – Issues with Landlords, Housemates, Neighbors Faculty/Academic Advisor/Center for Academic Success/Tutoring Center Office of Differing Abilities Services/Career Center/Anti-Violence Initiatives/Counseling and Psychological Services/Student Health Services Records & Registration/Student Accounts/Student Financial Services Transfer Student Association/Off Campus Student Organization/Peers
14. “Light” Bulbs Making The Most of College by Dr. Richard Light, Harvard Graduate School of Education What Did HeLearn About Student Success in College? Students Should: Act Quickly to Address Problems Get to Know Their Faculty Study in Groups Track, Analyze & Improve Time Use