Transition to College (Renn & Reason, 2013)
The transition to college is an experience. Higher education addresses this experience that many students go through with specific programs that are used to intervene in the experience and address the issues that students are going to face. Those intentional efforts include: orientation programs, summer bridge programs, living-learning communities, learning communities, first-year seminars, & comprehensive support programs.
The specific intervention that caught my eye was orientation programs. I have a strong passion for the orientation process and what it provides for students and families. I think it is so important that we remember that this transitional period does not only effect the students but it also effects the parents. I am currently working as a practicum student in Ball State University's Office of Orientation and we hired student and family orientation leaders. The family orientation leaders specifically work with the groups of families that come through Orientation with their students. I think this is a unique experience for the families. They are getting specialized, individual attention to help them know how they can help their son/daughter successfully transition to college.
Additionally, at Ball State University, they have a two-day program for Orientation. I've never see this be done because my undergraduate institution did a 8-hour Orientation on varying days throughout the summer. I think by allowing for two days of Orientation, the students are able to become more adjusted to the community and the college, and the orientation leaders are able to provide guidance and form relationships with the students even before they officially start classes in August. I could see myself running an Orientation program down the road due to the significant impact you make on every student that comes through the process. A thorough, well-thought out, intentional orientation program helps students persist in higher education.