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BRIDGING STUDENTS – SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM HIGH
SCHOOL TO COLLEGE
Tang Yee Voon and Wong Shae Lynn
Sunway College Johor Bahru (MALAYSIA)
[email protected], [email protected]
+607-3596880
Abstract
Transitioning from secondary school to college is an important developmental milestone that holds the
potential for personal growth and behavioral change (Fromme, 2008). It involves changes in roles, additional
challenges and responsibilities, be it academic or social (Conley et al., 2014). However, secondary school
students often enter college unprepared for what is expected of them because their high school experiences
often fail to prepare them for postsecondary education (Bangser, 2008). Key stressors for college students
include personal freedom, college instructors and instructions, programme structures as well as testing and
grades (Johnston, 2010). In addition to the stressors, students are not equipped with the skills required for
successful college transition. These skills include academic skills, self-understanding (metacognition), selfadvocacy,
executive function, motivation and confidence, key cognitive strategies and key knowledge about
post-secondary education (Johnston, 2010; Landmark College, 2009).
This paper embarks on a study specifically sought to identify transitional barriers faced by postsecondary
students who are enrolled in the Pre-University programmes at Sunway College Johor Bahru. The outcome
would also highlight the inadequacies of their pre-college preparation years and their lack of crucial skills to
survive the college years. It is our hope that through this effort, we are able to establish approaches to
support students in making a successful transition from high school to college. Successful transition is
imperative because the benefits of postsecondary education are compelling. For an individual, this means
getting jobs with higher wages and career advancement opportunities. For the country, this means a
productive workforce and international competitiveness. Hence, successful transition to college should be
a challenge shouldered by all parties, including policy makers, teachers and parents
