The Ongoing Process of Becoming a College Student; Cultivating Habits of Mind

As the semester winds down, I've asked everyone to do some reflecting over what has been achieved, and I want to add a few thoughts. Transitioning from high school to college is a long process, one that takes more than just one semester to completely achieve. However, I have seen much transition already. Many of my students have made significant progress in replacing college-level habits of mind with high school habits. Let me clarify:

High School Habits

Lack of Confidence and Independence
Complaining
Panicking when faced with something new, difficult, confusing
Not Doing an Assignment if it's hard
Slacking
Waiting for the teacher to tell you what to do
Procrastination
Completing the Minimum Requirements and Expecting an A
Thinking that the Teacher is in charge of the Learning Experience
Memorization

College-Level Habits

Confidence, Independence
Buckling Down to do the Hard Work
Relishing a Challenge
Starting an Assignment as soon as you get it
Making a Plan for finishing assignments in a timely manner
Taking Responsibility to Figure Things out
Taking Risks
Going Beyond the Minimum Requirements
Knowing that the Student is in charge of the Learning Experience
Critical and Creative Thinking

This all doesn't happen in the first semester; it is a process that is ongoing throughout college, but does happen gradually with continuous commitment and reflection. The gains you have made so far will hopefully continue throughout your college career. By the time you graduate, the university expects that you will acquire a basic level of general education, specific tools and training for your major, and these intangible skills and habits that prepare you in important ways for the careers that await you after college.

photo © 2007 Beverly | more info (via: Wylio)


**Update: Congratulations to Shekira who exemplified College Habits of Mind by finishing all of her blog posts and her final self-assessment two weeks early! (Kudos also to Lyndsay who completed her self-assessment already!)