This study explores the concept of strategies as a means for understanding how students negotiate the transition to college. Based upon a qualitative study of eight first-year students at an urban, commuter, public four-year college, it explores how students experienced challenges, perceived influences, and devised strategies during the freshman year. Findings revealed that challenges and influences ranged from negative to positive, and occurred both inside and outside the institution. Implications for first-year seminars and further research are discussed.