Academic Transitions

Understanding academic transition

Academic transitions are composed of a variety of adjustments to learning, attitudes, perceptions, and skills, and refer to a substantial shift in a students' life from one level of understanding, growth, and maturity to another.

Transitions transpire throughout the course of a student’s educational experience. Some examples include:

• The move from school to higher education
• Leaving home behind to become an autonomous adult
• Transitioning from being a passive learner to an active and independent learner
• Adjusting to the specific demands of academic study, including different approaches to teaching and learning, class organisation, student-staff interaction and how evaluation systems are carried out

These transition challenges, especially during the first period of learning in a new academic culture, are a normal part of getting adjusted to a new way of doing things. After taking the time to adapt, feelings of uncertainty decrease, as students become experts in understanding the different demands of their new academic environment.

Resources to help you manage the process of academic transition

Image Accent and communication across cultures Resources and advice to help studying at an English-speaking university as a non-native speaker, or as someone who speaks English with a regional voice or accent.	Image Balancing academic and personal life Resources and advice on finding the right balance between academic and personal life.
Image Managing expectations Resources and advice to help manage your expectations when studying in a different country.	Image Navigating different academic systems Resources and advice for navigating different academic systems when studying abroad.