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Academic Adjustment from High School

from FGCU Parent & Family Guide

by Florida Gulf Coast University

from FGCU Parent & Family Guide, page 30

Article from: FGCU Parent & Family Guide

Helping Make Healthy Decisions

Academic Adjustment from High School to College

A student’s transition from high school to college is a major milestone for both you and your student. While first-year students will share many experiences and challenges in their first year of college, it is important to remember that each student’s transition is unique.

One of the most significant adjustments in a student’s first year is the academic transition from high school to college-level courses. Students may feel new pressure to perform academically or realize there are differences in the assignments, instruction, and rigor of the course. Often a student receives a poor grade on an assignment or test and immediately begins to question if they are cut out for the course, the major, or even college. This is a great time to offer your support and remind them they have already proven they are smart enough to be in college by being admitted and that they are not in this alone. The academic transition takes time to adjust to new expectations and learn effective methods of studying and managing time. It is also important that they take advantage of the many academic support resources offered at FGCU.

CENTER FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

The Center for Academic Achievement (CAA) is a department entirely dedicated to your student’s academic success. The CAA provides free resources to students, everything from writing consultation to academic coaching.

Academic Coaching

student address specific academic issues. Together with an academic success coordinator, students examine habits of working, current academic difficulties, develop individual academic goals, and enhance knowledge of campus resources. Academic success coordinators are available to coach students through obstacles that arise at any point in the academic career and to help students create positive, effective habits.

Tutoring at FGCU

The CAA offers free appointmentbased tutoring in a small group setting in more than 25 courses. We recommend that students seek tutoring early in the semester. The tutor can give attention to the student’s needs, while at the same time the student will benefit from the questions and experience of the other group members. Groups for tutoring sessions may consist of up to three members. While tutoring never replaces course work or class lectures, it does enhance material presented in the classroom.

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

Supplemental Instruction is an academic support service offered by the CAA and an opportunity for students to enhance their learning in specific courses. Each SI leader attends one professor’s course and conducts weekly study sessions. All students in the course can participate in these study groups to discuss content for the week’s lecture. Led by the SI leaders, students work collaboratively in groups and brainstorm to solve problems and to increase understanding of course material.

Writing Consultation

on one with a writing consultant. Students can utilize this resource for any writing material they may have in their time at FGCU. Our Writing Lab also provides writing and citation guides that are all available on the website.

UNIVERSITY ADVISING SERVICES

Academic Advising at FGCU begins at orientation. As students progress, professional advisors match individual needs with available resources in the field of study with the goal of keeping students on track to graduate.

Academic advisors can help with: } Major choice and selection } Course selection and planning } Understanding university resources } Interpreting rules and regulations that impact academics

ADVISING OFFICES

Exploratory Advising

fgcu.edu/academics/advising/explore

239-745-4422 explore@fgcu.edu

Center for Career and Exploratory Advising

Most first-year students are advised by Exploratory Advising. In a student’s first year, there are four required meetings with Exploratory Advising – two in the fall semester and two in the spring semester.

New Student Meeting

These meetings are conducted in small groups during the first few weeks of the term, and serve as an initial check-in with our students to talk about how their semester has started, and to reinforce the role of the academic counselor, address any issues of concern, and to look ahead to preregistration for the next semester.

Pre-Registration Meeting

The pre-registration meeting takes place once every semester. Students will be required to meet with their academic advisor to talk about their academic progress, discuss possible course options for their second semester, and review the online course registration process.

Once students meet their transition criteria for their major (usually after their first year), they will transition to college advising. We recommend that students meet with an academic advisor each semester prior to course registration.