<p>Does any one know of programs for parents and/or seniors that focus on the transition from high school to college? Are these programs part of the freshman orientation at your student's college? Are they independent programs held in your local community, run by consultants or college counselors?</p>
<p>There is a book titled something like “Full heart, Empty Nest” that covers senior year and freshman year. </p>
<p>DS’s school sent home some material and they have a First year office to assist. I have not seen an independent program in my community. </p>
<p>I found I disliked May/June of the senior high school year. Everyone was full of themselves and it got rather exhausting. Once graduation hit then the kids were back to being unemployed teens and humble (ish) incoming freshmen. But May/June. Ugh.</p>
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<p>Oh goody…something else to look forward to. :p</p>
<p>LOL - As much as I want April 1st to come I’m not sure I want April 30th to come if May/June is like that - though I believe it!</p>
<p>Larkie–</p>
<p>I’m not really sure what it is you mean or are looking for in terms of transition programs…are you talking about life skills? Academic skills? How to leave home skills?</p>
<p>Are you concerned about your child being prepared in certain specific areas? Or just a general thing? There are transitional programs, though, and I believe a quick google or bing will find them for you. Some are run by Universities. But, without knowing what it is you are specifically concerned with, it would be difficult to know what kind of transition you mean.</p>
<p>One good transition program is freshman year. Where all the kids are also transitioning. Colleges do a lot better job with this these days than when we were young.</p>
<p>The school my daughter attends runs a class called First Year Experience that all incoming freshman are required to take. Its a non-credit course that meets once per week, and your ‘professor’ for the class is the academic adviser that the students’ have been assigned to for their four years at the school.</p>
<p>The class is more a discussion period for the students to talk about the good and bad of what’s happening as they begin college. The main assignment for the class is to complete a ‘passport’, a booklet that has numerous activities the kids must attend throughout their first quarter and get ‘passport stamps’ to prove attendance. Activities included attending a safety seminar, social activity run by the student organizations, visit to career services, attend lectures, etc. This is designed to get the kids out into the college community to experience what is available, and hopefully allow them to make some friends and become more comfortable in their new surroundings.</p>
<p>Although there were times my daughter found it a ‘pain’ to go to that class, it really did seem to make a difference in her ability to get comfortable quickly so far away from home.</p>
<p>Many colleges have a FYE or First Year Experience that are supposed to settle the freshman into college life. Both of my older kids that attended small private LAC’s, had a freshman orientation for a week or two before classes. My son’s also offered an excellent optional outdoor adventure program the week before that.</p>