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The Transition to College
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| Class | An individual's economic ranking based on access to, and possession and control of, wealth and the sources of wealth. |
| Culture | The collective behavior patterns, communication patterns, beliefs, concepts, values, institutions, standards, and other factors unique to a community that are socially transmitted to individuals and to which individuals are expected to conform. |
| Gender | The psychological make-up of an individual based on cultural perceptions of femaleness and maleness (i.e., femininity, masculinity, androgyny). |
| Power | The ability to influence and enforce decisions in a community; access to and control of valued resources. |
| Prejudice | Implies a preconceived idea, judgment, or opinion, usually an unfavorable one marked by suspicion, fear, intolerance, or hatred, and is directed toward a racial, religious, cultural, or ethnic group. |
| Race/Ethnicity | Of or relating to people grouped according to a common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin. |
| Sex | The biological make-up of an individual based on sexual organs (i.e., female, male) |
| Status | The esteem, respect, or prestige that an individual is able to command in a community. |
| Ableism | An assumption that there is inherent purity and superiority of people who are able-bodied, have full cognitive functioning, and are considered attractive by cultural norms and the inferiority of others. It denotes attitudes, behaviors, and institutional structures that subordinate persons or groups because of their physical and mental qualities and abilities. Such practices can be intentional or unintentional. |
| Ageism | An assumption that there is inherent purity and superiority of certain ages and inferiority of others. It denotes attitudes, behaviors, and institutional structures that subordinate persons or groups because of their age. Such practices can be intentional or unintentional. |
| Heterosexism | An assumption that there is inherent purity and superiority in heterosexuality and inferiority of others. It denotes attitudes, behaviors, and institutional structures that subordinate persons or groups because of their sexuality. Such practices can be intentional or unintentional. |
| Racism | An assumption that there is inherent purity and superiority of certain races, classes, and groups, and inferiority of others. It denotes attitudes, behaviors, and institutional structures that subordinate persons or groups because of their ethnic culture or heritage. Such practices can be intentional or unintentional. |
| Sexism | An assumption that there is inherent purity and superiority of the male sex and inferiority of the female sex. It denotes attitudes, behaviors, and institutional structures that subordinate persons or groups because of their sex. Such practices can be intentional or unintentional. |
| Institutional Racism | A variety of systems operating within an organization that have attitudes, behaviors, and practices that subordinate persons or groups because of culture.[3] |
While looking around your room at home at all the little mementos that you think you ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE at college, remember that dorm rooms are small. Dorm rooms traditionally are the size of a small bathroom, but two people live in that space, sometimes three, four or five. Ok, slight exaggeration, but keep in mind that the space you will be living in at college is small and you are probably going to be sharing it with one other person (at least).
After you have eliminated from your baggage the twelve trophies you won in sixth grade and the collection of sea shells from preschool, you should begin to make a checklist of items that you need to bring. Also, if you have a roommate that you know of ahead of time, it is always a good idea to coordinate items with them to cut down on costs, as well as prevent a situation where you have multiple microwaves, but no fridge. Here is a checklist of items to consider (not all are necessary) but these are ones that my college students often find to be useful.
This is a general list of helpful items. Different schools have different rules about items allowed in dorm rooms, so check with your school before packing any major electrical appliance (like a refrigerator or microwave).
More importantly, here are some items that you should leave at home:
So perhaps you have never shared a room before, or maybe you have shared a room with a sibling. Whatever the case may be, living with a roommate that you have probably never met before can be scary. Whatever living situation you are in, a double in a dorm room, a suite, a sorority house or whatever, you are likely to have a roommate at some point. At first it may seem like a wonderful ideal world with double the amount of clothes and constant sleepovers, but it is important to set rules from the beginning to protect both you and your roommate(s) from getting too hurt, too stressed out or too angry.
Here are some ideas to help prevent future arguments:
When you first start looking at colleges, remember how many acronyms and phrases that were thrown at you that you may not have ever heard of. Here is a list of some general terms that most colleges and universities use.
| Academic Advisor/Counselor | This is someone who helps you figure out which courses to take as well as what kinds of requirements you will need to fulfill. Additionally, an academic advisor should be available to assist you with any academic issues that you may have. Some colleges or universities assign students to faculty members who act as advisors while other institutions hire non-teaching staff to do the job. |
| Academic Probation | All colleges require students to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) to remain in school. Students who fail to achieve a GPA at or above the specified value may be placed on academic probation. Consult your individual university or college to find out what your minimum GPA will be. Additionally, it is important to note that some the financial aid and scholarships you receive may also require a minimum GPA. |
| Academic Suspension | This occurs under circumstances when students fail to maintain the minimum GPA. Consequences may include suspension for a semester and conditions that must be met in order for re-enrollment to occur. |
| Advanced Placement Credit | This is course credit that some students may enter college with after taking and scoring well on such subject exams as the Advanced Placement exams. This credit can often be applied to a major and towards graduation requirements. |
| Alumni | people who have graduated from the institution (usually the ones who donate big bucks to keep your university running). |
| ACT and SAT | These letters are acronyms for the American College Test and the Scholastic Aptitude Test, two exams that assess your abilities in specific subjects, as well as in math and verbal areas. Colleges usually require that students take one of these tests in order to be admitted. |
| Associate Degree | The Associate Degree is given to students who have completed a program of at least two, but less than four years of college work. Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are conferred upon students who successfully complete programs designed for transfer to a senior college. In order to obtain this type of degree you must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours, exclusive of physical education activity courses or military science courses, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (a "C" average). |
| Audit | A student who does not want to receive credit in a course may, with approval of the instructor, audit the course as a "visitor." This usually means that the student who audits does not have to pay for sitting in on the course, however he or she cannot later ask the school for credit. |
| Bachelor's Degree | This is the undergraduate degree offered by four-year colleges and universities. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires that a portion of the student's studies be dedicated to the arts - literature, language, music, etc. The Bachelor of Science degree requires that a portion of the studies be in the sciences - chemistry, biology, math, etc. Students must enroll for at least 120 credit hours in order to obtain a Bachelor's Degree. |
| Bookstore | The place on campus where you will be able to purchase all of your class needs, including academic books and school supplies, as well as clothing, often emblazoned with the University's name on it. Oh, and yes, it will be overpriced because you cannot find the books and clothing elsewhere. |
| Catalog | College catalogs (also called handbooks) provide all types of information parents and students need to know about a school. It lists, for example: the institution's history and philosophy, policies and procedures, its accreditation status, courses of study, degrees and certificates offered, physical facilities, admission and enrollment procedures, financial aid, student life activities, etc. |
| CLEP | The College Level Examination Program may be offered to students so that they can demonstrate proficiency in a course in order to receive credit without having to take the course. There is a charge for each test taken. Information concerning an individual institution's policies toward CLEP Tests can be found in the institution's catalog. |
| Commuter | A commuter is a student who lives off-campus and drives to class, or commutes. |
| Concurrent Enrollment | A student can enroll and attend two educational institutions at the same time under certain circumstances. For example: In some places, a high school senior can concurrently enroll in high school and in college provided she meets established criteria. A college student can concurrently enroll at two higher education institutions provided that certain criteria are met. Permission for concurrent enrollments is generally made in advance. |
| Course Numbers | All courses are identified by numbers usually containing 3 to 6 digits. Sometimes letters are used to indicate the semester that the course was taken or the department in which it was offered. |
| Credit Hours | Courses taken in college are measured in terms of credit hours. To earn one credit hour, a student must attend a class for one classroom hour (usually 50 minutes) per week for the whole semester (usually 16 weeks). Classes are offered in 1 - 5 credit hour increments, and sometimes larger amounts. |
| Curriculum | A curriculum is the set of courses outlined by the institution required to complete a certain program or major. |
| Degree Requirements | Anything the university requires the student to complete in order to receive a degree in the chosen field of study. Often times the requirements include completion of a certain number of courses, the maintenance of a specific GPA, etc. |
| Degrees | Degrees are rewards for the successful completion of a chosen field of study. You can get an: Associate Degree (see above) - obtainable at a two-year community or junior college, Baccalaureate or Bachelor's - offered by four-year colleges and universities, and Graduate - Obtained after the bachelor's degree, i.e., Masters or Doctorate. |
| Department | A department is the unit within the college or university that usually is responsible for the administrative as well as academic functions of a specific subject. Faculty members who teach biology, for example, are usually employed through the biology department. |
| Drop and Add | Students are generally allowed to change which courses they take through a period often referred to as "add/drop" period. This usually occurs in the first part of the semester for a week or two. Additionally, permission from a professor or dean is usually required in order to add into a course. |
| Enrollment | This is the procedure by which students choose classes each semester. It also includes the assessment and collection of fees. Pre-enrollment, or otherwise called pre-registration is when students choose the courses they want to take the following term. |
| Extra- or Co- Curricular Activities | These are non-classroom activities that can contribute to a well-rounded education. They can include such activities as athletics, clubs, student government, recreational and social organizations and events. |
| Faculty | The faculty is composed of all persons who teach classes for colleges. |
| FAFSA | Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The almost universal application for financial aid, including loans, grants, college work-study and other federal and state programs. Many colleges require that students submit a FASFA form when applying for financial aid |
| Fees | These are any additional charges the university may incur to cover extra expenses, such as lab materials, university sponsored events, and other programs. |
| Final Exams (Finals) | These exams are usually given during the last week of classes each semester. Course instructors are allowed to design the final themselves covering the material discussed during the semester. Final exam schedules are issued usually by the registrar (see below) and do not necessarily occur during the time or day you met for class. |
| Financial Aid | This is money given or loaned to students in order to meet tuition and sometimes living requirements. It may be awarded by federal or state governments, obtained from banks, given by the college you are attending, or come from private companies or institutions. How much financial aid is given depends on your family's financial state as well as other factors. |
| Fraternities/Sororities | (also called the Greek System) - Fraternities (for men) and sororities (for women) are social organizations that participate in various activities. A process of selection occurs, called Rush (which takes place during a specified period of time), offering some students the opportunity to "pledge" a certain fraternity of sorority. Not all colleges have these organizations. |
| Full-Time Enrollment/Part-Time Enrollment | A full-time student is enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in a semester (full-time status for a summer term is usually 6 credit hours). A part-time student is enrolled in less than 12 credit hours in a semester (less than 6 in a summer term). |
| Honor Roll | (also called Dean's List) Students are placed on honor rolls for GPAs above certain specified levels. Criteria vary at different institutions. In most cases, students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible. |
| Humanities Courses | Humanities courses are classes covering subjects such as literature, philosophy, and the fine arts. Most undergraduate degrees require a certain number of humanities credit hours in order to graduate. These required courses may be part of a core curriculum in which case you may have to take humanities courses specified by the Dean's office. |
| Junior/Community College | A Junior/Community College offers two-year programs for high-school graduates. Course offerings generally include a transfer curriculum with credits that you can use to transfer to a four-year college. Other times Junior/Community colleges aim to prepare students to enter the job market after two years with specialized training in a chosen field. |
| Lecture/Laboratory/Discussion Classes | In lecture classes, students attend class on a regular basis and the instructor lectures on class material. Laboratory classes require students to carry out specified tasks during a specific time that enable students to support the concepts they learn in lecture. Discussion classes offer students the opportunity to talk about material being taught, ask questions, and discuss material with their classmates and a professor or teaching assistant. |
| Major/Minor | A major is a student's chosen field of study. It usually requires the successful completion of a specified number of credit hours. A minor is similar to a major, however less credit hours are required to complete a minor and the area of study must not be the same as the major. |
| Mid-Term Exams (Midterms) | During the middle of each semester, instructors may give mid-term exams that test students on the material covered during the first half of the semester. Some classes have only two tests, a midterm and a final. |
| Non-Credit Courses | These are classes or courses that do not meet the requirements for a certificate of a degree at a given institution. |
| Pass/Fail Courses | Completion of a pass/fail course gives students credit for taking that course, but no letter grade is given. Therefore, the course's outcome does not appear in the student's GPA. |
| Prerequisite Courses | A prerequisite course is a course taken in preparation for another course. For example, Accounting 1 is a prerequisite for Accounting 2. |
| Private/Public Institutions | Private and public institutions differ primarily in terms of their source of financial support. Public institutions get funding from the government and are administered by public boards. Private institutions rely on income from private donations, or from religious or other organizations and student tuition. Private institutions are governed by a board of trustees. |
| Registrar | The registrar of an institution is responsible for the maintenance of all academic records and may include such duties as: keeping track of class enrollments, publishing the list of exam schedules, issuing transcripts, certifying athletic eligibility, and monitoring student eligibility for honor roll. |
| Schedule of Classes | Colleges publish and distribute a Class Schedule book for each semester, during the previous semester. With the help of academic advisors and/or faculty members, students make up their own individual class schedules for each semester they are enrolled. Courses are designated in the Class Schedule by course department, course number, time and days the course meets, the room number and building name, and the instructor's name. A class schedule is also simply a list of classes a student is taking, which includes course name and number, time and location of the class, and possibly the instructor. |
| Student Identification Card (I.D.) | This is a card issued to students by the university that identifies the student as well as allows access to buildings. Some colleges apply other functions to the card like adding a picture of the student for security reasons, or allowing for students to add money to be used for doing laundry. Whatever you do DON'T lose your student ID, it is an essential part of campus life! |
| Syllabus | This is provided by the professor and consists of an outline of the class, including the required textbooks, assignments, and important dates to remember (like what day the final is). |
| Transcript | The transcript is a permanent academic record of a student's performance at college. It may show courses taken, grades received, academic status and honors received. |
| Transfer of Credits | Some students attend more than one institution during their college career. When they move or transfer from one college to another, they petition the college to accept credits earned at the previous institution. If the request is granted, course credits earned will be applied towards graduation from the new school so students won't have to repeat courses already taken. |
| Tuition | Tuition varies from school to school and is the amount paid for each credit hour of enrollment. Tuition does not include the cost of books, fees, or room and board. |
| Undergraduate | An undergraduate is a student who is pursuing either a one-, two-, or four-year degree. |
| University | A university is composed of undergraduate, graduate, and professional colleges and offers degrees in each. |
| Withdrawal | Students who decide that they do not want to continue in the course they are currently enrolled in and have missed the add/drop period. Permission is usually needed in order to withdraw and the result will show up on a permanent transcript. |
[1]http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/
[2]http://collegeprep.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/chp16_1
[3]http://collegeprep.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/chp16_2
[4]http://collegeprep.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/chp30_1
[5]http://collegeprep.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/chp18_3
[6]http://collegeprep.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/chp02_5
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