It’s that time of year again. The trees are sprouting leaves, the grass is slowly turning green, flowers are blooming and high school graduations are in the air. The question that weighs on every senior’s mind is, “What will college be like next year?”

This is a hectic time for high school guidance counselors as they help with applications, letters of recommendation, financial aid applications, college visits and a host of other responsibilities related to helping high school seniors prepare for college. Another responsibility that many high school guidance counselors take upon themselves is helping students make the transition from high school to college.

According to Julie Rosenbluth and Bessie Oster, columnists for Next Step magazine, high school students are more concerned with the social implications of college than academics. “When students are asked what they anticipate about college, few mention the academics. Most look forward to new friends, greater independence from their parents and the chance to be on their own,” said Rosenbluth and Oster.

Perhaps students have so many questions and apprehensions about the social side of college because it is talked about so little in the college planning process. Consider sponsoring a program for your students that exposes them to the social opportunities available on the average campus.

“Provide opportunities for students to openly discuss concerns about going to college, and practice decision-making and time-management skills that may help them when they get overwhelmed,” Rosenbluth and Oster recommend.

Get parents, teachers, students and current college students involved if possible. The more students know about making the transition from high school to college, the better prepared they will be to succeed at the next stage of their lives.