College expectations

I love the first week of fall semester. Excitement and newness are in the air. Everyone is testing the waters – getting an idea of how their next four years will look, and measuring what they thought it might be to what it actually is. So I’m always surprised when the following conversation takes place during the first week:

Me: “So, what are you expecting college to be like?”
Many freshmen I talk to: “I don’t really know – I don’t really have any expectations.”
Me: “Really?! But when you were in high school, thinking about what it would be like to be in college, what came to mind?”
Many freshmen: “Um…I don’t know…”

Maybe it’s because they don’t want to be wrong. Maybe they’re not ready to share their thoughts with somebody they’ve just met. Or maybe they really don’t have fully formed expectations yet for their college experience. There are a lot of ways to think about your college experience, and by considering them now, you will be more prepared for that day that you stop thinking college and start living it!

Here are a few to get you started:

• What are you expecting classes to be like? Homework? Professors?
• How easy will it be to meet people and make friends? How about joining a club or sorority/fraternity?
• What are you interested in getting involved in outside of classes? Sports, music, the arts, volunteer work, community service?
• What will it be like to be on your own? Manage your own time?
• How will college compare to high school? How will it be the same and/or different?

Talking about your college expectations with your Coach will give you the space to explore, to get some perspective, and when you’re ready, to develop your own vision for your experience. Your Coach truly cares about your well-being and success, so s/he can be honest with you about whether your expectations are realistic, and can help you feel more prepared for what is coming, because you can be sure that the best is yet to come.