College Bound – Transition from HS to College

College Bound – Pulling Anchor and Setting Sail

Families are never under more stress than when a new member arrives or a member leaves. There are various challenges that exist for a family when a student prepares to graduate from high school and begin their college years.

According to the Core Institute, an organization that surveys college-drinking practices, 159,000 of today’s first-year college students will drop out of school next year for alcohol or other drug related reasons. The research goes on to say that almost one-third of college students admit to having missed at least one class because of their alcohol or other drug use. Many of the high school seniors we work with are eager to get to the “party” in college. Unfortunately, many are unequipped for the social and emotional consequences of drinking. When the protective fences of high school (parents, curfews, police, etc…) fall away, there are those who cannot cope with the freedom and many choices facing them.

“Senior-itis is not boredom, but unexplored grief.  Seniors may manage the impending fear of leaving by acting like they are already gone, never leaving, or leaving on questionable or shaky ground that ensures their return” – Brad Sachs.

Designed for students and/or parents, the goal of this seminar is to prepare college-bound high school seniors with information they need to make wise choices and take care of themselves while away at college.  We will discuss the many cultural changes that have altered the life stage known as ”Emerging Adulthood” and what that means for the perspectives of college bound students; and also analyze potential myths that all first year students bring with them to campus.

Dana and Selden Augusta Prep

The program focuses on the educational, legal, social, and health risks associated with alcohol use and abuse on college campuses, tips on getting along with roommates, identifying support systems, and taking care of their physical and emotional health while away from home.

The Seminar

• Equip students with durable and transferable life skills for thriving in college and beyond.
• Promote new students’ college adjustment and survival.
• Acquire foundational skills upon which long-term college success can be built.

Did You Know?

• Alcohol and drug use plays a role in 20% of college drop-out rates.
• Every five hours a college student dies from an alcohol overdose
• 41% of all college academic difficulties are alcohol related
• 1,700 students die in alcohol related incidents on college campuses each year
• Alcohol and other drug use is the #1 health concern facing college students
• The most crucial time determining a college student’s success is the first 6 weeks of the freshman year

Thanks Jeff. You were a major influence and I am proud that you helped me steer in the right direction.

In our extended and retreat format- seniors work in small groups with each team focusing on two common college dilemmas. They interact with their peers to create a realistic solution. Next, we provide anecdotes, relevant facts, and first person examples as the outcomes of the case studies are presented to the entire class. High-risk behaviors are identified as well as ways to reduce risk. Common college policies and judicial procedures are explained to prepare students for the new community standards under which they will be living.

If appropriate, single-sex break-out sessions can be added to more specifically address gender issues relating to hazing, eating disorders, trust, safety, sexual situations, relationships, peer pressure, athletic programs, and alcohol and drug issues.