Our guest bloggers for this post are from the Office of Student Success.
Wes Moore understands the boundless opportunities when we transition from the comfort and security of home and family to the independence of college life. With these opportunities to make new friends, develop our minds, and practice our faith, we also meet occasional hurdles. Moore identifies three typical challenges first-year students face: financial, academic and social.
High Point University recognizes that the transition to college is one of the biggest a person encounters. Therefore, we have an Office of Student Success, which will be housed in the new Student Success Center this fall. While many freshmen encounter the “challenges” that Moore identifies, these can also be considered “opportunities”! When presented with difficulty, see the situation as a moment to reflect and grow. As President Qubein states, “the power that affects your future lies within your own hands.” To assist you in embracing opportunities, you will be paired with one of ten coaches who will not only serve as your academic adviser, but who will also help you access financial, academic, and social campus resources. We are here to assist, advise, mentor, and get you connected to the High Point University community. But, you must be willing to partner. Please be engaged and informed. Let us know how we can assist. We love to help students discover their “passion and purpose.”
As coaches, we will work alongside with you as you set goals for your life here at High Point University and beyond. Whether you come here still deciding on your major or with your four-year course of study already set, it is important to heed Moore’s advice that while it is important to plan, “our plans should never become cages, especially plans we make at moments when we have imperfect information or when we’re not even sure of who we are. Inflexibility can cause us to miss unexpected opportunities that suddenly appear, wave at us, and then fade when we fail to see them” (173). We are going to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, to take risks, to be flexible, because in those moments, you will discover your potential and learn how to dream big.
In earlier blogs, you have had the opportunity to reflect on what success looks like for you. Perhaps it is becoming a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society for first-year students or serving others in the High Point or global communities. Moore tells us that success doesn’t come entirely from within, but with a “network of individuals.” Your coach wants to be just one of the individuals in your network, one of the “links in the chain of humanity, reaching out and connecting to the next link binding us together” (194). We are happy to introduce you to others who will become “links in your chain” such as a specialist in Career Services and your financial planning counselor. We want you to connect to this community that you will soon call home through avenues that will help you grow such as campus clubs, the Campus Activities Team, the Volunteer Center, Greek Life, and Student Government. We believe there is a niche for every student on campus. If there is not a club that sparks your interest, meet with us – let’s partner to start a new one. Your possibilities are endless at High Point University.
Help us get to know you! Drop by the second floor of the Success Center for a visit (and maybe we’ll go next door for a coffee at Starbucks). Join us for Lunch with Your Coach in the Café to sample a chocolate fondue bar or for a day at the ropes course. Meet your classmates at our Turn Up Tuesday sessions to join a fantasy football league or to dream big. Wear your purple on Fridays to show your pride for High Point University and to express our sense of community. We are glad you are here.
If there is anything we can help you with before your arrival, contact us at [email protected].
In what ways do you hope to step out of your comfort zone as you begin your college experience? How do you want to become involved? How can your Success Coach partner with you during this exciting transition?