An overview of academic matriculation with an emphasis on specific skills, concepts, and applications that can be used to develop an appreciation of success in higher education is presented. By defining the student as the center of planning, techniques are provided to translate ideas and abstract thought to real-world applications. Recommendations for transition and self-advocacy give individuals a framework for developing a map that, as clearly as is possible for the individual, can be used to measure changes in the process of transition. Proven techniques for survival in higher education are presented. (Author/JE)