subject: Seniors-about-to-become-college-students: 10 Things You Can Do To Get Ready For College [print this page] Most graduating seniors see the summer before they go off to college as their last chance to be free and easy. Sure, many high school grads get part- or full-time jobs to help pay for their college expenses, but there's usually plenty of time to hang out, party with friends, and have a good time. Do it! Enjoy the summer! You deserve to celebrate and feel relaxed!Without taking away from your feeling of being fancy free for the first time in a long while, here are a few things to do to make sure you're ready for college.
1. Carefully read everything that is sent to you by your college. Take care to note: Any forms regarding special academic programs or activities for example, roommate preferences, housing, medical or insurance issues, you must complete and return them ASAP. The earlier your college gets the materials, the better the chances are for your getting what you want. Again, sign up ASAP to make sure that you get what you want. The best sessions often fill up the first day they are announced.
Sometimes colleges offer Pre-Orientations that are wonderful opportunities to meet other freshmen. Some of the cool experiences they offer include river-rafting trips, retreats in the mountains or at the ocean, special seminars with star faculty members, and unique community service projects. Sign up early because there is often limited space. Anything that comes to you about Registering for classes. Pay close attention to the directions. For your first semester, you don't want to get stuck with a bunch of courses you don't want to take. When tuition and room/board are due. Put the date on your and your parents' calendars to make sure that it gets paid on time.
2. Sometime during the summer, contact the Financial Aid Department at your college to confirm exactly what scholarships, work/study and other financial aid you will get. Once you know what it is, sit down with your parents to discuss what they are contributing and what you will be responsible for. Also talk with your parents about what your college budget is so that you know how much money you have to spend on trips home, movies, concerts, books, haircuts, meals outside the dorm, and a whole host of other unexpected things that come up.
3. Get a hold of your roommate right away when you receive his or her name and contact information. Colleges usually have Freshman Facebook pages that make communicating very easy. Do it! After you get acquainted, you can then decide who is going to bring what so there's no duplication in cost and effort. Remember, dorm rooms aren't that big and will accommodate only one small TV, and/or microwave (if allowed), and/or small refrigerator (if allowed), and/or coffee pot and/or area rug.
4. Find out what the computer requirements are at your college. At this point, virtually every college or university is fully wired. Some colleges even provide computers for students. Go online to see what's available.
5. Develop a list of your Internet Passwords and Pin #s, credit card numbers, social security number, and serial numbers for your computer and printer. Leave this list at home in a safe place so if you need the information, one of your parents can get it for you.
6. Find out when you need to arrive at college, whether for Orientation, Sorority and Fraternity Rush (if you're going to participate), or the beginning of school. Work back from that date to see when your travel arrangements should be, whether you are driving, flying or taking a train or bus. See if one or both of your parents can take time off from work to accompany you for this momentous occasion. Make travel and hotel/motel reservations as early in the summer as you can, if you or your parents need to spend a night or two in a hotel/motel or B &B near the college before you move into a residence hall.
7. Depending on what form of transportation you use to get to your college, you need to determine how you are going to get all of your "stuff" to where you're going to live. Check to see if the college has a special arrangement with UPS, Kinkos, FEDEX, the US Postal Service or another delivery service. If no, then call these groups to find out what the least expensive way is for you to send packages to school and when you need to send them so that they don't arrive too early or too late. 8. For a list of what to take with you to college, go to College Board's site for their "Off-to-College Checklist." http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/9763.html
9. Check out the New Student section of your college's website that will tell you exactly what to do, where and by when.
10. Once again, make sure you have great summer so that you are relaxed and ready to begin your exciting, new life. If you follow the above ten pieces of advice, you'll be more than ready to get started with your new life at college.
