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Meeting the College Challenge: InsideTrack Offers Survival Tips for Students

Posted on: Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

As this year's crop of freshmen settles into college life, many of them may think the hardest part -- getting into college -- is behind them. But the truth may be otherwise. Increasingly, the biggest challenge that new students face isn't getting into school, it's staying in. In fact, one in four students at four-year colleges and universities will drop out in their first year, according to a study by the Education Trust, and only slightly more than half will graduate within six years.

Today's students encounter more obstacles to achieving success in college than ever before. Tuition costs are up, financial aid is more complex, and many students are working at least part-time. In addition, even the most confident students may find themselves confused by the increasing number of choices in classes, majors and careers.

"A student's ability to navigate new challenges, take advantage of opportunities and enjoy the college experience can mean the difference between continuing in college and dropping out," says Alan Tripp, CEO of InsideTrack, a company that provides executive-style personal coaching to help college students stay in school and achieve their goals.

Take academics. Students who get good grades in high school usually expect to do well in college -- but that's not always the case. Even the best students can find it tough to meet their own high standards when confronted with heavier workloads, more pressure on assignments and exams and less direction from professors.

But academic difficulties are only one reason why students drop out. Other demands of college life can be equally overwhelming.

College students look forward to gaining independence, for example, but often don't know how to handle the flip side -- greater responsibility. Perhaps for the first time in their lives, students are held fully accountable for their actions and must juggle a broad range of projects and commitments. Managing time effectively and learning to seek out the right services and resources for help on campus are among the most important skills that students must develop.

Students also need to take control of their finances. Many don't understand the details and requirements of their financial aid packages. As a result, they may find themselves in danger of losing scholarships or loans. Other students falter when it comes to managing their money for the first time, and find themselves descending into credit card debt.

Then there's the ability to connect with the college community. Making friends and getting involved in campus life isn't always easy, particularly for those who commute or have other demands on their time, such as raising a family. But building a strong social network and balancing a social life with academic demands, extra-curricular activities and internships or work, is critical for college success.

"Students are expected to be intrinsically motivated and capable of managing the barrage of new experiences that confront them in college," says InsideTrack's Alan Tripp. "But whether they're attending a small, liberal arts college, a large state university, a career college or even pursuing a degree part-time or online, students -- like anyone else -- need regular structure, guidance, personal support and positive feedback to succeed."

Based on experience providing one-on-one coaching to more than 14,000 college students over the past four years, InsideTrack offers the following College Survival Tips to help keep students on track to graduate: 1. Expect a learning curve: College is a life-changing experience and students may find the transition a bit bumpy. Students need to be patient and to recognize that mastering all the new experiences they are encountering takes time. 2. Be flexible: Students may find that a course they're really excited about is no longer available or that the classes they're taking for their major aren't quite as compelling as expected. Being open-minded and willing to adapt can make college a less frustrating and more enjoyable experience. 3. Be prepared for tougher academic demands: 200-page reading assignments are not unusual in college. Students should carve out time each day for heavy reading and assignments and take advantage of campus resources such as tutoring centers that can help them devise strategies to manage their workload and keep their performance level high. 4. Be proactive: Being a self-starter is an important trait to cultivate for college, and beyond. Taking the initiative to meet with professors, consult with advisors, or seek out activities and opportunities related to personal development and career goals can really pay off. 5. Get organized: Buying a planner, writing "to-do" lists or e-mailing reminders to themselves -- students should do whatever it takes to keep up with deadlines and manage all of their commitments. 6. Get involved: Joining student organizations and participating in social events can turn even the largest university into a smaller, friendlier place. Study groups are another way that students can connect with their peers, as well as enhance their learning experience. 7. Become financially literate: Financial literacy starts with understanding the requirements of scholarships and loans, and the steps needed to maintain them. It also means creating a budget and then sticking to it, knowing the terms-of-payment for credit cards and cell phone services, and focusing on "needs" rather than "wants." 8. Stay healthy: Students need to keep both their minds and their bodies in shape to learn effectively. Eating a well-balanced diet helps students succeed by improving energy and concentration. In addition, too many students overextend themselves to the point of burn-out. Taking time out for regular exercise and relaxing activities is just as important as making time to study. 9. Be persistent: From working through challenging course assignments to developing direction for a future career, succeeding in college takes time and effort. Persistence will pay off as students achieve their goals. 10. Don't go it alone: Whether students want to change their major or are dealing with a difficult roommate situation, help is always available. Seeking out information and assistance from advisors, counselors, faculty and friends can help students survive the tough times and keep them on the road to success.

About InsideTrack

InsideTrack pioneered the concept of student success coaching in 1999 and since then, has provided student coaching services to more than 14,000 college students. In partnership with colleges and universities, InsideTrack Coaches work one-on-one with students to increase their overall effectiveness and achievement so they stay in school, achieve their goals and graduate. As a result of improved student success, the company's programs have helped client colleges to significantly increase student retention, total enrollment and graduation rates, as well as tuition revenue. To learn more about InsideTrack, visit www.insidetrack.com.

Source: Business Wire

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