Preparing to Transition to College

Here are things to do the summer between your senior year of high school and freshman year of college to prepare.

  • Create a budget

    • Take into consderation your financial aid, money saved, and any income from work, as well as your college's cost of attendance.

  • Apply for scholarships

    • Continue applying to scholarships and make a plan to continue applying throughout the year. Scholarships have various deadlines and there will be many more that open up throughout the year. Reserch things and create a calnder/notifciation so that you remember to continue throughout the year.

  • Save money

    • Get a summer job and continue to save money.

  • Learn more about your college

    • A great way to get to know your college better is by connect online via your classes official facebook groups, if there is one, and following clubs/organizations you hope to join and departments/centers on social media. These are great ways to connect with other students and get a feel for what the college has to offer.

  • Reach out to your roommate (if applicable)

    • If you will be moving into a dorm or apartment, get to know your roomate(s) over the summer. Introduce yourself and start to bond, while also discussing room preferences and each of your styles of living: do you go to bed early? prefer the room hot or cold? how do you handle conflict? etc.

  • Pack for college

    • If you are moving for college, start packing ahead of time so you do not forget items at the last minute. This is also a great opportunity to go through and purge any items you no longer need.

  • Get organized

    • There will be various deadlines to meet and assignemnts due. Make sure that you know how you best stay organized. If you do not already know, take this time to try different techniques: to do lists, sticky notes, reminders and notifications on your phone, google calendar, etc.

  • Set up college online portals

  • Contact the Financial Aid Office

    • Verify that all paperwork has been submitted so as to not dealy your financial aid award.

  • Attend orientation

    • This is where students will learn about departments, resources, proceures and codes of conduct, and more. This is also where students meet other students, staff, and faculty. It is a great way to start adjusting to a new enviroment and further undertstand the campus culture.

  • Register for classes

    • Make sure to register for classes as soon as possible to ensure that you are able to get into the classes you need and want. The most desirable classes are the ones that fill up the fast. Talk to your advisor to ensure that you are on track with the right classes.

    • Also, make sure to research professors before registering. A good professor makes all the difference. Reaserch their teaching style and see what other students have to say so you can make an informed decision. Rate My Professors is a good tool to get an idea.

  • Reserach on-campus jobs and start applying