Does anyone have any advice for a student who has been homeschooled through out high school, and will be heading to college this fall as an incoming freshman? Are there any particular things that may helpful to know about or expect (as in academics, dorm life, etc.)?
I’d really appreciate any input or advice, as I’m quite nervous about adjusting from home education to life at a private university away from home.
It might be helpful to practice taking exams somewhere where there are a lot of other people who might be distracting your focus - sit in a busy but “quiet” room at the library or something.
Good for you for seeking out advice. As a professor, I would say a couple of things. It may sound harsh, and I am merely speaking from one person’s experience, so take it with a grain of salt. I’m pretty sure the homeschooling parents on here will jump all over me too! First, don’t announce to every teacher and classmate that you were homeschooled. Sure, it’s a huge part of your high school identity because it sets you off from the norm, but you need to move past it. Frankly, I have a number of home school students who often use it as an excuse or explanation (“I’m not good at tests/not used to collaborative work/etc. because I was homeschooled.”) I tend to get really annoyed by such blanket generalizations, because there are plenty of opportunities to do those things at homeschool, so if you didn’t do them, then that’s on you. In general, making excuses doesn’t go over well, and droning on about homeschooling can really annoy your classmates, who will often feel (rightly or wrongly) that you are subtly putting them down by your decision to homeschool. Second, if you value the social aspects of college and the potential for making life-long collaborative relationships (which I think you should), pay attention to the social norms of class discussion. Don’t always be the first to talk, but do participate. Check yourself if you are over-participating or under-participating.
Unfortunately, I think that there are a few vocal and self-absorbed homeschoolers who match the stereotypes, and they probably make things really hard for the vast majority who don’t. But I will be honest, most faculty do a little eye roll still when they are talking about homeschooled students, so there is definitely still some belief in those stereotypes. Let me repeat, I am not endorsing those stereotypes, just saying that they are out there. Repeat: not endorsing, just describing.
@student899 - I am a former homeschooling mom, albeit when my son was younger. I think the challenges you will face will depend a lot on the specific homeschooling program(s) you were in. Let me ask you these questions:
Did you participate in a co-op with other high school students? If so, how many and where (home, church, etc.)?
How many hours a day did you spend in your “classroom” doing work v. doing “homework”?
Who were your teachers (other parents, certified teachers, etc.)?
Did you do lab work for your science classes?
How much work was done online v. in a classroom?
Did you take tests and receive formal grades or were you in a more Montessori-type program based on mastery?
What type of oversight did your program have (from your state or local school district)?
Were you in a church or secular environment?
Those are the questions I can think of that may help other homeschooling parents and homeschooled kids give you advice. Otherwise you may get opinions based on someone’s stereotypical view of homeschooling, which is unfortunately not usually accurate in this century. Also, giving a little more information about the size and type of private school you will be attending may help as well.
Hello! I was a homeschool kid (currently in college) and I would like to offer some advice from my own personal experience.
First off, will you be attending a four year or will you be going into a community college? I went into a CC because I had hopes of transferring into a UC, which is very hard to do from highschool as someone who was homeschooled. Some of my tips might be more specific to CC, but I will try to keep it more general.
- It’s really important that you get involved in what the campus has to offer. Don’t be afraid of seeing the counselors, joining clubs, etc. Clubs and events are the best ways to make friends, and if you join organizations that have to do with things you’re interested in, you’ll be way better off socially. It took me way too long to warm up to the fact that I had all of these resources right in front of me, so don’t make the same mistake I did.
- DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! I found that after transitioning into a public school,I literally had no idea what I was expected to do or what steps I needed to take towards transferring (or in your case if you're going to four year, towards completing your degree). Another mistake of mine, which resulted in me staying at CC longer than anticipated. I found that public school students were generally more knowledgeable on this kind of info because they have had it pushed down their throats, especially in junior/senior year. Just make sure that you're on top of your own education.
- People in college are usually pretty nice. They say that college age people are the friendliest age group around, and most people in college are looking for friendships and social interactions. Don't be shy! Making friends in classes is a great resource, and most people are happy to help if you get stuck on certain concepts.
- Do your work. In college, your deadlines tend to be much stricter and there are far greater penalties for slacking off. An "I forgot" excuse isn't going to cut it. Try as hard as you can to get good grades, complete everything that is assigned, study (I like to make flash cards), etc.
- Take classes that interest you, or take classes in subjects that you're good at. Especially during your transition period, I found it really beneficial to ease into college. For example, I love art, so I took some art classes. This helped me adjust to the classroom setting before jumping into hard sciences and math courses.
Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask! These are just some points I could come up with off the top of my head. I know it’s nerve wracking, but college is a wonderful experience and I’m sure you will find your place in the mix.
Some home schooled students take some of their more advanced courses at a local college. Among other things, that gives them experience with how college courses are run. Does that apply to you?
You are used to doing everything on your own most likely…but you will need to reach out to others to get notes you missed, ask questions to professors, sign up for tutors, etc.
If you find yourself not doing as well as you want, immediately go to the Professor’s office hours and ask what resources there are to help you. There may be a writing center or tutors or office hours or study groups.
You also might talk to a professor and tell them you were homeschooled…so you may be blind to classroom norms or expectations so would appreciate feedback.