Theme: Transitions

Suggested Discussion Topics and Activities:

1. Reflect on what is it like to be at college for the first time
   • Have students write down their expectations of college. Collect these and keep until mid-semester to hand back to students for review and reflection.
   • Have small groups write their expectations as a group. Ask groups to share and see how these expectations are holding out so far.
   • Have students write an in-class letter to next-year's incoming first-year class. Encourage the students to be reflective and constructive.
   • First-year student job description (PDF): a fun exercise for students to think about their responsibilities as a student at SUNY Cortland
     
     
2. Discuss how college is different from high school
   • Have students identify the biggest differences and have the class create a top ten list of the biggest differences between high school and college.
   • Assign a journal entry or an in-class writing assignment and have students explore the differences
   • Consider using clips from a college related movie such as Higher Learning, Son-In-Law, Down to You, even Animal House to examine pop culture ideas of college and how those images do (or do not) hold true in reality
   • Have Students work on the Roommate Scenario (PDF)
     
     
3. Discuss the purpose of college in general
   • Have students jot down their definitions of the purpose of college. Review the ideas of teaching, research, and service that form the mission of higher education.
   • Review and analyze the SUNY Cortland mission statement and learning goals
   • Have students create their own personal college mission statement: why they are here, what they will accomplish, how they will accomplish those goals.
   • Go over the Purpose of College: Class Survey (PDF)
     
     
4. What are their hopes, fears, and concerns?
   • Hand students three notecards. Write hope, fear, concerns (or whatever heading you find appropriate) and ask students to write their own thoughts down. Collect these and hand them out randomly. Ask students to discuss the hope they see and the fears they see, and discuss as a group what services and resources are available to address some concerns.
   • Journal or email journal entry discussing this
   • Professor Matthews' Dilemma (PDF)
   • Important People (PDF): an activity to have your students reflect on the important people in their life and the values that help guide their daily routine
     
     
5. Reflect on how they are handling their transition: homesickness, personal responsibility, and ability to seek out help in handling problems
   • Take the homesickness quiz
   • Give students scenarios or case studies of students having trouble adjusting
   • Use a couple different cases among small groups then have the group present their solutions or ideas
   • Have your students break into groups and serve as advice columnists. Present each group with a letter from a worried student with a special issue or question. Have the group write a response.
   • Have each student draw out their support system. How do they visually see their support?
   • Friends and Drug Use (PDF)Worksheet