What is the biggest transformation from high school to college?

I believe the biggest transition is feeling like you don't have to go to class. After the first week, it is up to you to make sure you get up to go to class and make sure your homework is done. The college won't send things to your parents saying you are behind in class or you are missing assignments, as they do in high school. Also if you live in a dorm vs. living at home "the freedom" in a dorm without having your parents around to make sure you do what you are supposed to do. College figures you are paying good money to be there. It is up to you to make sure you are successful.

You will need to focus on stress and time management. In order to manage stress you have to manage your time wisely. <span style="background-color: transparent;">You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.</span>

Your ability to manage time. Depending on the high school you went to, you might have spent 7 hours a day in class, and had an hour (give or take) of homework. Flip that ratio on its head for college. Where I went to school, we had 3-4 hours of class every other day, but at least an hour or two of homework assigned for each of those hours of class time. Because most of your time is unstructured, it can be very easy to get behind if you procrastinate. So learning good time management, and being organized, is key to your success. I will also encourage you to communicate with your professors. It can be daunting to go to office hours when you are one in a lecture of 300, and you think the professor has no idea who you are (unlike your high school teachers). But they want to talk with you and help you, before you dig into a hole that is hard to dig back out of.