A NEW WORLD

1
A NEW WORLD

• Making a Successful Transition
• To The College of New Jersey
• Magda Manetas
• Assistant Vice President for Student Services

2
Goals

• To help you prepare for the transition to college
  life
• To help you develop realistic expectations of the
  college experience and to anticipate ways to deal
  with challenges and opportunities
• To provide you with information about TCNJ and
  the resources available to you
• To review the Student Affairs Curriculum

3
Academic Effort and Success

• Transition to
• Fewer Grading Opportunities How am I doing?
• Relationship with Faculty
• Fish in a New Pond
• More Challenging Than Anticipated
• Engaging in Learning Experience
• Strategies for Success
• Get to Know Faculty Work with Academic Advisor
• Read the Syllabus and Refer to it in Planning for
  Assignments and Exams
• Check Your SOCS Account Frequently Your Faculty
  Will Use it to Communicate with You
• Develop a Study Plan
• Act Quickly to Address Problems
  Faculty/Tutoring/Center for Academic Success
• Keep and Analyze a Time Log

4
Roommate Relationships

• Transition to
• Living in Close Quarters with Someone Youve Just
  Met First Year Housing by First Seminar
  (doubles, quads)
• Communicating Appropriately and Assertively
• Participating in Process of Problem-Solving
• Strategies for Success
• Anticipate Need to Communicate Honestly Early
• Be Honest During Roommate Contract Discussion
• Develop Realistic Expectation of Relationship
• Seek Assistance- Community Advisor/Residence
  Director
• Utilize Mediation Process

5
Critical ChoicesAlcohol and Other Drugs

• Transition to
• Taking More Responsibility for Personal Health
  and Safety
• Increased Level of Independence
• Change in Consequences State and College
  Processes
• Strategies for Success
• Understand Expectations of the College We expect
  you to abide by the law and college policies and
  make good decisions that help you learn and stay
  safe and healthy
• Be Aware of Consequences for Violations
• Question/Challenge Connection of Alcohol to
  College Life
• Know that Students Who are Actively Engaged in
  their Education are Less Likely to Misuse Alcohol
  Perform Better Academically
• Anticipate Need for Healthy Coping Strategies for
  Stress
• Seek Assistance for Yourself or a Friend
  Residence Director, Alcohol and Drug Education
  Program, Psychological Counseling Services
• Avoid Placing Yourself in a Situation Where
  Intoxication Can Impact Your Safety

6
Personal Safety

• Transition To
• Moving from environment you know well to one new
  to you
• Moving from individuals and community you know
  well to one new to you
• Strategies for Success
• Lock Your Room Door
• Dont Let Strangers Into Your Building
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings
• Walk in Groups if Late at Night
• Know Where You Are Going if Heading Off-Campus
• Rely on Good Friends and Be a Good Friend Dont
  Leave Someone Behind
• Resources Residence Director, Campus Police,
  Office of Anti-Violence Initiatives,
  Psychological Counseling Services

7
Dealing with Personal Finances

• Transition to
• Increased Control Over Responsibility for
  Expenditures
• First Experience with a Credit Card
• First Experience with a Meal Plan
• Strategies for Success
• Discuss Spending/Saving Expectations with Parents
• Consider registering an Alternate Payer
• Be Clear Re Family Guidelines for Credit Card
  Use
• Use Debit Card in Place of Credit Card
• Track Review Expenses/Can Track Get It Card
  Expenses Online
• Utilize Student Employment Process

8
Navigating a System

• Transition to
• Need to Accomplish Tasks Independently
• Learning to Take Responsibility for Your
  Educational Experience
• Moving Beyond Your Computer Screen to Access
  Information
• Strategies for Success
• Read TCNJ Email You Are Responsible for Any
  Information Sent This Way
• If You Access Information In Person or By Phone -
  Identify Information Source and Record
  Information
• Read Everything
• Meet Deadlines Critical Deadlines for
  FAFSA/Housing Lottery
• Speak Up and Ask Questions
• Dont Ask Your Parents to Do it For You!
• Resources Student Services Brochure/Advisors/Onli
  ne Resources

9
Getting Involved

• Transition to
• Involvement in the Familiar to Trying New
  Activities
• Less Flexibility in Personal Schedule to Greater
  Flexibility
• Mid-Year Transition into Already Established
  Groups/Relationships
• Strategies for Success
• Attend Spring Activities Fair
• Explore Art Gallery, Hiack Observatory,
  Recitals
• Try On Activities and Organizations Look for
  the Best Match
• Ask Upperclass Students, Staff and Faculty
• Utilize Campus Activities Website
• Consider Balance of Academics, Campus
  Involvement, Personal Time Employment

10
Divesting and Investing

• Transition to
• New Environment
• Distance from Loved Ones
• Need to Develop New Social Network
• Feeling Homesick
• Strategies for Success
• Anticipate Changes in Relationships Interaction
• Prepare for Possibility of Ending Relationship
• Anticipate Possibility of Homesickness Know
  that Other Students Experience It - Plan Ways to
  Cope with It
• Stay on Campus Over the Weekends

11
Light Bulbs

• Making The Most of College by Dr. Richard Light,
  Harvard Graduate School of Education
• What Did He Learn 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