Tips for a Black Woman’s Transition Into College Life
Introduction
There is a variety of emotions we experience as we enter a new chapter of our lives, especially when becoming a college student. We meet new people, learn in imaginative ways, and explore ideas that have never crossed our minds. As black women, we have defined expectations by landing here. No matter what your background is, I know that you had to work to get to where you are now. And now that you are here, I’m not telling you to forget your past, but remember, you can only go further, so celebrate the life that you are living right now.
Mental Health & Well-Being
You always have to remember that you need to be healthy to be successful. Your well-being is necessary for success. You are a hard worker, you have come far, and you will be going further. However, you have to find a way to care for your mind and your body. Whether it's in spirituality, finding a hobby, or going to therapy, you have to make sure your well-being is strong as you make a life-changing transition. We need to normalize caring for our mental health. So often in the black community, caring for our mental health is seen as a weakness, but it’s not. It is a strength. Listen to what your mind, body, and heart are telling you because only you truly know what you need.
Stay True to Yourself
You are one of a kind, and though you might not want to stand out all the time, you deserve to own your uniqueness. So often when transitioning to new communities, we feel as though we need to change who we are to “fit in”. But wherever you are, whether you were accepted, invited, or felt a calling within yourself, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose. Maybe you haven’t discovered it yet, and that’s okay. That’s what this journey is for: to find out who we are, what our path could be, and how to express ourselves authentically.
Building Your Community
It can be overwhelming trying to find your place in a new environment. I always say that wherever you are, there is at least one person who will eventually become your friend. Sometimes it doesn’t happen quickly. I remember when I was doing a summer program two years ago, for the first week and a half, I felt alone and awkward in my classes. However, by the last week, I made two friends and learned that we had a lot in common. We were the youngest students in the program, and that one commonality sparked a friendship. Sometimes I look around at others and feel jealous about how fast they are building their own community. But always remember, your community is constantly expanding and changing. When you let it take its course, you will experience powerful relationships and learn to appreciate the people you meet. Remember, you choose your inner circle, so surround yourself with love.
Academic Success & Study Tips
Early is Better
I know that a lot is happening at the same time, but try to take control of the situation. The beginning of the school year is the time to get familiar with your classes, syllabi, and professors. Knowing the way the rest of your semester will unfold can help control anxiety and help you organize your schedule in a way that works for you.
Use Campus Resources
I know sometimes it feels that using the available resources makes you look “weak” or “stupid”, but it does not. These resources are given to you because you are in a community that wants to nurture your success. Remember, you are in college now. Not everything is going to be easy; not everything you learn you are going to understand automatically, but that is normal. Let your brain hurt, let yourself be confused, and let your mind grow.
Stay Consistent
Avoid cramming and review your work consistently. Build a personal routine that matches your schedule and learning style. Celebrate all of your academic wins, big and small, to keep yourself motivated.
Discover Your Learning Style
These strategies do not define you. I took these from VARK, the most popular group of learning styles. These four learning styles have been scientifically tested, but they shouldn’t confine you to one way of learning. Embrace a mix of different learning styles or discover a new one. I personally identify with visual and kinesthetic. It can also depend on the subject. As you go into your classes this week, think to yourself, “How am I retaining this information? What has been working for me so far? “How can I stay on top of my academics, and what can I start to do now to get ahead and avoid stress?”
Auditory
Have strong verbal communication skills
Have good listening skills and tend to remember details from conversations and lectures
Process information by thinking out loud
Strategies
Recording lectures to review material (remember to ask your professor first!)
Reading notes and assigned readings out loud
engage in verbal discussions about your class’s content with your peers
Use audio tools like audiobooks
Reading/Writing
Enjoys reading in their free time
Skilled at writing and are stronger at taking organized and detailed notes
Communicate thoughts and feelings successfully through writing
Strategies
Taking detailed notes
Rewriting and reorganizing notes
Write summaries after reading a text to reinforce understanding
Make flashcards to improve memorization
Kinesthetic
Prefers hands-on learning and being physically involved in lessons
Taking breaks for movement can help improve focus and memory
Strategies
Incorporating movement while learning to help focus and retention
Taking breaks that include movement and physical activity
Using real-world applications
Handwriting notes and making visual aids/organizers
Acting out scenarios/role play
Visual
Good at evenly distributing your time and energy among different tasks
Have strong organizational instincts
Often very observant of details
Strategies
Using visual aids like diagrams, charts, maps, etc., to organize information
Color-coding notes to help improve recall
Create visual summaries
