Successfully Navigating the Transition to College

The transition to college is a time of excitement, but also can be a time of uncertainty for many students. For high-achieving students, this uncertainty can cause anxiety as they seek to thrive in their new environment. Many schools have created resources meant to aid students in their transition; however, these resources are often necessarily broad in scope. As a result, they often fail to address the unique challenges facing high-achieving students during this time.

In Successfully Navigating the Transition to College, Jordan Edwards provides a guide specially designed for high-achieving students. The guide begins by suggesting a vision of college as character formation, rather than merely being transactional in nature. Building upon that vision, the guide then addresses key challenges high-achieving students will face during their first year, such as over-excitability and perfectionism, but also more common concerns like making new friends and caring for one's mental health. In each instance, students are not merely presented with challenges to face, but they are also provided tools to overcome them.

The transition to college can be challenging for anyone, and high-achieving students are not immune simply because they often earn good grades. Yet with the proper support, these students can make this transition smoothly, thereby preparing them for success.