<p>Hi guys!</p>
<p>I'm not sure if I am the only one wondering, but what do all of you current U of I students think about the transition you made from high school to college? How much more difficult was it? Did you take a lot of Honors/AP classes in high school? For me, I have taken as many honors/AP classes possible in high school to challenge myself, but I still have a feeling that I will not succeed in U of I. I mostly received A's and B's in the classes. Thanks in advance for your input!</p>
<p>I am going in undeclared. I either want to go into Biology or Business.</p>
<p>I won’t lie, college at U of I will not be like the 13th grade, and it will be more difficult than high school. Be prepared to work.</p>
<p>However, U of I accepted you for a reason; that is, you are more than capable of handling the work. In fact, they reject many such people. What it will boil down to is your dedication. If you are a serious student, work hard, and seek out help if in a class or 2 you are struggling, you will be ok. But I guarantee you with your honors and AP background and the mere fact that you sought to challenge yourself in high school that you will succeed there if you put the work in.</p>
<p>Take it seriously, but don’t be intimidated and find time to enjoy yourself. My daughter has the same concerns as you do. I also recommended to her to not take a heavy, difficult course load her first semester while she adjusts. For example, if you are premed you may not want to take physics, calculus, chem, and bio your first semester. Of course, work with your advisor, but you get the point. If you can, do not pile up a bunch of difficult courses your first semester. Also, research what teachers are good and bad and which ones may be difficult graders. Two people can take identical classes at the same school and have completely different experiences simply because of the professor.</p>
<p>But most importantly believe in yourself. A person with even average intelligence…which I am certain you are above-average intelligence…can succeed based on effort alone. You have been admitted because you deserve it and you are capable. But it will be up to you as to how much work you put in. You will soon find a comfort level and know how much studying will be needed. It varies from person to person, but whatever that level is, stick to it and you will be more than fine.</p>
<p>Don’t stress out…you will be fine!</p>
<p>One other thing. My experience is some people who struggle are people who were bright enough in high school to do well without good study habits. They get to college and for the first time realize that they need to study hard and really don’t know how to do it. If that is the case with you, you may have to struggle as far as training yourself as to how to study properly. Make a schedule and stick to it. For example, force yourself to be at the library and study on a regular schedule.</p>
<p>As you are concerned I suspect you will not have this problem, but people at risk are people who were smart enough to do well in high school with little effort, and who assume that college will be more of the same. They get there and realize they have poor study habits and really don’t know how to study.</p>
<p>Wow! Mrpapageorgio, thank you very much. You have answered all of my questions while relieving the worries I have about this transition. I will take all the things you have said to heart because I believe what you said is the best method to succeed. Also, thank you very much for the compliments! I hope others can read this and relieve some tension. Thank you once again, Mrpapageorgio.</p>
<p>I’m going to add on to Mrpapageorgio post just to relieve your fears a little more. My D was admitted to DGS on the lower end of U of I credentials (good GPA, mid range ACT, only a few AP/honors classes) but she worked hard her first semester and it paid off. I think she was worried that UIUC would be so incredibly hard and she’s found that not to be the case. She was named a James Scholar as well as was admitted to the Phi Eta Sigma Honor’s Society after first semester. She earned all A’s and one B+ but studied hard. Now granted she is not an engineer or business major and she took regular ed classes (Spanish 204, RHET 105, AmLit, PSYCH 100, CMN 102, etc.). She also pledged a sorority and is having the time of her life and she lives by the mantra “work hard, party hard” (though I’m not overly thrilled with the “party hard” part - lol). Bottom-line is you CAN do well but you have to put in the time. She tells me she probably studies 4-5 hours a day in addition to her class work and she’s been known to study 20+ hours on a test (or so she tells me). I think she’s surprised by how well she’s able to handle the courseload. There’s a lot of really smart students who just don’t study or apply themselves and there’s a lot of average smart students who bust their butts trying. Decide who you are.</p>
<p>No problem, GoIllinois!</p>
<p>Mamacita, your story is inspiring. It is mostly about hard work and good study habits. It is easy for some incoming freshman to not realize how much ability they have. Most are not smart enough to slack off and do well, and I believe all can do well if they put in the time.</p>