For many students, talking about college with family can be one of the most challenging parts of the college search. You might feel pressure to have answers you don’t have yet—or worry that your goals won’t line up with what your family expects.

If you’re  considering taking a break after graduating high school and before starting college, you’ve probably heard about gap years. A gap year is a break — usually a year — between high school and college to explore interests, gain experience, or prepare for the next step in life. But how do you know if a gap year is right for you? Let’s break it down.

For many high school students, the journey to college comes with unexpected challenges. Beyond academics, there’s a “hidden curriculum” — unspoken rules and norms that aren’t taught in classrooms or found in syllabuses. 

Once you embark on your college journey, there is likely going to be some terminology that you don’t understand.

As a transfer student, one of the most exciting and, maybe, unnerving parts of the process is stepping foot on your new campus. Unlike first-year students who start their college journey together, transfer students often arrive on campus after having already experienced another institution. However, with the right approach and mindset, integrating into a new campus community can be a smooth and rewarding experience. Here are some valuable tips to help transfer students navigate this transition. 

Self worth and evaluation. Being judged by others. An unknown future. Money and finances. 

The college admissions process can take us through some uncomfortable areas in our lives, so it’s no wonder it brings up feelings of anxiety.