Getting ready for college can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. Indeed, there is a lot to prepare for. If you really think about it, you are leaving the nest for the very first time and living on your own. This is exactly why you want to make your transition as smooth as possible. Any hiccups along the way and it can make it harder to settle into collegiate life. It is important to hit the ground running when you get to college, because you don’t want to waste time or money. Here are five ways for high school seniors to prepare for college.
- Make Sure that You have Your Housing Accommodations Set Up
Of course, before you head off to college, you want to make sure that you are ready to move into your dorm or apartment. The last thing you want is to pile up your car and then realize that your dorm hasn’t been assigned. Whether you are going to University of Cincinnati or University of San Francisco, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
- Make Sure that You are Signed Up for All of Your Courses
On top of setting up your living arrangements, you also want to sign up for all of your courses. You should have a full suite of classes signed up for. Of course, you don’t need to choose a major right away, but it can help to have an idea of a specific field of interest, so that when you do choose your major, you aren’t too far off the beaten path.
- Make Sure that You Spend Time with Your Friends
Before you head off to college, you’ll want to spend as much time with your friends as possible. If you are going to separate colleges, you’ll want to get as much socializing in as possibly – you won’t have much time when you are actually in college. Moreover, some of these friends may not be going to the same college as you, so it may be a trek to visit them. Fortunately, you have a whole summer to spend time with your friends.
- Make Sure that You have All the Basics You Need for Your Dorm
Before you actually move into your dorm, you want to be sure that you have all the basics. For instance, you’ll need toiletries. There is a chance that your bathroom will be down the hall and not in your room, but you will still need things like toothpaste and toilet paper. You can usually make a list of all of these items so that you don’t forget. You may also need things like bed sheets, towels and reading lamps for when you are studying.
- Make Sure that You have a Communication Plan
On top of everything, you want to be sure that you have a plan for communicating with your friends and relatives back home. Indeed, you won’t have all the time in the world, which is why you want to make some times. In the end, this will help you stay in touch with the people you love and care about.