Culture Shock

If you’ve been following along, you’ll be aware that a number of my clients have gained admission to a specialized program at a competitive school after a couple of years at a junior college or university.

New challenges, new fears. One of my successful clients resumed our work together last term simply from the challenge of being in the third year of his program – – – but at a very different university.

Here’s what he found. The change was as great as moving from high school to first year college.

• Classes are larger.
• There is even less check-in from instructors.
• The competition is fierce! Sometimes grades are curved. Sometimes in class the striving to up the ante on who has the keenest analysis brings out not so subtle critiques.
• There is a lot more material to cover, often with less time to cover it.
• Exams are tougher, and are graded tougher.
• Higher performance expectations require more research for papers: papers that are harder to write, and that are graded for rigorous attention to format and style, as well as content.

Initially, grades were lower for the same or greater amount of effort, compared with what it took to get an A at his previous school. And needless to say, that took a real hit on confidence and motivation. 

Rather than let discouragement get the best of him, he reconnected  and we went to work on the challenges of being in the “big leagues” academically.

He made his fall term in the new school, and is on to winter term.

Next week, I’ll share what we did, and what he found most useful. In the meantime, if you are in the same boat, either as a frosh just out of high school or transferred into a new university, let’s connect. [email protected]