How to Prepare for College as an Incoming Freshman
Preparing for college is exciting, but there’s a lot to do before hitting the road. Check out our guide with tips on getting ready for freshman year. It’s a great way to make sure you have an exciting freshman year experience!
Tips on Getting Ready for Freshman Year
There’s so much to do in the summer before college, and it can be difficult to know how to get ready. There are things to pack, people to say goodbye to, and forms to fill out. We’ve compiled a list of all of the important must-do items, so if you work through it a little at a time, you’ll be done before you know it!
Make a Commitment
Deciding on a school that’s right for you is the first step in getting ready for college, but don’t forget to let the school know you’ll be there in the fall. You’ll need to send in your deposit and complete the housing application and any health forms that are required the summer before college. You also should sign up for orientation and register for classes shortly after graduation. You definitely don’t want to wait until the last minute!
Be a Social Butterfly
Once the summer before your freshman year hits, the countdown is on! Spend as much time with your friends and family as you can before leaving for college. You might also want to clean up your social media accounts before connecting with your new roommate or meeting your professors for the first time. After all, you want to put your best foot forward! And don’t forget to follow your new university’s social media channels!
Brush up on Valuable Life Skills
Soon you’ll have to do your own laundry, so learn the tricks of the trade. What are the best products to remove grass stains? How do you get oil out of a shirt? And speaking of tricks of the trade, take some time to understand your health insurance benefits and requirements.
If you’ll be far from home, choose a bank that’s local to your university or that has an ATM on campus. Consider opening a credit card (and learn how to use it wisely). If you’ll have a car on campus, sign up for AAA or another emergency road service option to give you peace of mind if your own mechanic is far away.
Start Packing
The summer before college is a good time to sort through your closet and donate things you don’t wear. If you plan to go home for Thanksgiving, you probably won’t need to bring all of your winter gear with you right away. But an organized closet will make it easier to find what you’re looking for when you’re home, and you’ll have more time to spend with your family.
Don’t forget to pack a First Aid kit that includes cold medicine, pain relievers, bandages, medical tape, tissues, and allergy medicine. You know, all the stuff you won’t want to run out to the store for when you really need it!
Your school should give you a checklist of items to bring to campus. If you’re traveling far from home, check with local retailers like Bed, Bath and Beyond to see if they can ship items you need to a store near campus.
Get Ready for Some of the Best Years of Your Life
Look for ways to get involved on campus, whether you want to join a club or a team (or even both). Spend some time researching the clubs and organizations related to your major, or check out some of the varsity, intramural or club sports your school hosts. Get an idea of what’s available before you get to campus so you don’t waste any time once you’re there.