Having realistic expectations will facilitate your adjustment. College is not just a more difficult version of your high school experience. It is a qualitatively whole different experience requiring considerable readjustment on your part. Maybe you did not really need to study to get good grades in high school. Maybe you don't have much experience with managing your time. If that is the case, your college experience may provide you with a "rude awakening". You will need to redefine what it means to study, and you will need to become expert at managing your time. Whether you will be a resident student or commuter, you need to learn a whole new set of social and academic skills. The sooner you realize this the better!
Anxiety
The first few weeks on campus can be a lonely period. You may be concerned about forming friendships and when new students look around, it may seem like everyone else is self-confident and socially connected. The reality is that other newly arrived students are also feeling less self-confident about themselves socially and are also anxious about their ability to succeed academically.
Emotional Support
Students usually find that their classmates can provide valuable emotional support. But it does take time to develop that peer support network! Meaningful new relationships should not be expected to develop overnight. It took a great deal of time to develop those close friendships you enjoyed in high school, and time will be required to develop close friendships here at Pitt-Johnstown.
Choices
Increased personal freedom can feel both exhilarating and frightening, and thereby create the sense of being on an emotional roller coaster. Students need to know how to establish their priorities and manage their time. If your number one priority is to be a student, then manage your time around that central priority.
You will be making many choices about social and academic issues. Will you allow others to persuade you to make choices which you would not otherwise make? As an adult, you will be held accountable for your decisions. Choose wisely. Most importantly, LEARN valuable lessons from the choices you make!
Roommates
Living with roommates can present problems. Be respectful of each other's personal property, personal space, sleep, and relaxation needs. Communicating one's needs calmly, listening with respect to a roommate's concerns, and being willing to negotiate and compromise are necessary tools to promote resolution of different living styles. Example: Having your boyfriend/girlfriend visit in your room for hours on end, day after day, is grossly disrespectful of your roommate's needs.
It is unrealistic to expect that freshmen roommates will be best friends. Roommates may work out mutually satisfying living arrangements, but the reality is that each may tend to have his or her own close circle of friends. It is not unusual for freshmen to change roommates during the second term.
Academic Challenge
Classes here at Pitt-Johnstown are a great deal more difficult than those you experienced during high school. You need to follow course outlines and keep up with reading assignments. You must manage your time accordingly. If a class is missed, it is up to you to borrow lecture notes from someone who was present. If you are having difficulty with coursework, ask for help - ask to do extra work, request an appointment with your academic advisor, or sign up for tutoring or other academic-skill training at the Pitt-Johnstown Academic Support Center (269-7109, G-16 Owen Library). Click here to learn about their services.
Involvement (commuting and resident students)
Get connected with any of the 65+ student clubs, organizations and activities available to you here on campus! Don't fall for the tired expression that "...there's nothing to do here at Pitt-Johnstown." GET INVOLVED!!!
Alcohol
It is illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase, attempt to purchase, consume, possess or transport any alcohol, liquor, malt or brewed beverages. Your career plans may be in jeopardy if you are cited for an alcohol violation. And as upper classmen will tell you, "you may get cited just for being there with alcohol present, whether you were drinking or not."
The Personal Counseling Center
Don't forget about us. We want to meet you and be a part of your support system here at Pitt-Johnstown. Check out all of the information on our website. Stop in to say hello!
If you need more information or assistance, please don't hesitate to "make the call" to the Personal Counseling Center, 269-7119, 121 Blackington Hall.