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Featuring Kim Fontana, director of admissions, Springfield College in Illinois (Springfield, IL)

Q. What will my freshman year be like, and how can I do my best?

A. freshman year will be a fascinating time in your life, one full of new and exciting experiences. It will be motivating and challenging, both academically and socially. It will also be extremely different from high school.

Freshman year will be a time of transition and adjustment, during which you'll acquire important skills and knowledge that will form the foundation for the rest of your life. You will be in an environment of ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds different from your own, but the common goal to be shared is learning.

Academically, you will have to be more independent and responsible in order to both motivate and discipline yourself to earn good grades. Instructors expect you to show up for class regularly and on time; be familiar with the material and prepared for the day's lecture; and to seek them out after class should you need help. You'll have to adjust to a different kind of schedule, too. You may have time off from classes in the middle of the day, some in the evening, even some days with no classes at all! That's why you always hear people say that time management is the key to academic survival and success.

Of course, let's not forget the fact that freshman year will most likely be the first time you're really on your own. You may have to work to pay your own bills, do your own shopping or laundry, and cook your own meals. It will take careful management, planning, and budgeting to successfully get through your college years, but there is plenty of help out there if you take the time to find it. Find out everything you can about your school's resources and use them!

Attend freshman orientation, enroll in a freshman study skills class, find a great academic advisor or counselor, get involved in campus activities, take your health seriously, and develop peer support. You can survive your freshman year and make it a success if you work with others, function independently, manage your time, and gain sensitivity to cultural differences. Good luck!

Q. When should I declare a major?

A. It is extremely important to declare a major as soon as you know what Career you want to pursue after college. Typically, in your first two years of college, you will be required to take general or core classes, such as English, math, science, sociology, and psychology. When you choose a major, however, you can also get a head start on your major's requirements by taking the appropriate introductory class(es). (For example, Springfield College in Illinois offers pre-professional programs in every area of interest along with our core classes, so students get a jump on their majors.)

Typically, your last two years of college allow you to focus on specific courses in your major; so ask for advice on which classes will give you a strong foundation and lay the groundwork for what you might want to do later on. If you don't know exactly what career you want, but you have an idea of the field you may like to pursue, talk to your academic advisor.

Changing your major late in your college years may extend the time it will take to complete your degree. That's why taking advantage of the available resources at your school that are related to your intended major and career path is so important. Talk about your academic interests with your academic advisor, instructors, family members, and friends. Research different programs and the kinds of jobs you can get with specific knowledge and training. Visit your career center to learn more about academic majors and to find one that suits you best.

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