Transitioning from High School to College
Many of us remember (or will one day remember) the joy of high school graduation. I personally just experienced this momentous occasion this past May. Going from high school to college is a huge transition by itself, but here is some helpful information to help ease this transition.
Since some of us will be leaving for college soon, I first want to remind incoming college freshmen to contact their local chapter if they will be transferring to another region. Contacting your local volunteer coordinator lets Red Cross know that you will be in a different region for the next few years. You will soon need access to resources particular to that region. As a result, your information on Volunteer Connection will also be transferred, and you will have a new chapter/region name and maybe even a few new groups. You may also want to email your soon-to-be chapter to let them know that you will be there for college and would like to continue to volunteer with the Red Cross. Keep in mind that you will want to do this before you start college so that you can jump right into your new Red Cross journey!
Next, you should see if your new college has a Red Cross Club. With more and more Red Cross Clubs being created every year, your college might already have one established; however, if it does not, you can take the lead and start the process of founding your own. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, that is completely fine, as you are bound to find other Red Cross volunteers that also attend your college; your work as an individual volunteer will be just as important! Now you should be on your way to getting involved with the Red Cross before you even step foot on campus.
Sometimes, freshmen year can be a little overwhelming, so do not be afraid to take it easy as you make this transition to college. Finding a balance between academic work, extracurricular commitments, a possible part-time job, among other opportunities in college can be difficult; many freshmen take on too much—don’t spread yourself thin. Even the best volunteers have times when they need to take it easy, which is fine.
Finally, remember to stay involved. With all the new opportunities of college, it can be easy to forget the things we done in high school. The best volunteers are the ones that stay committed, even when they start new chapters of their lives. Of course, the National Youth Council is always here to help with any concerns or questions you may have about getting involved.
Good luck to all the entering college freshmen Red Cross volunteers this year!
Joshua Lovett
