Going from high school to college is a big change. In order to make the transition a little bit easier, I’ve rounded up 10 things you must do before you get to college.
Unlike high school, your professors won’t tell you that you have to read 2 chapters for the next class…you’re expected to know that on your own. How? READ YOUR SYLLABUS. As soon as you have your syllabus available to you, print it out and make sure you read it before the first day of class so you know exactly what is expected from you.
Being involved is what college is all about! Look up organizations on your campus that interest you so when school starts, you can join right away!
Sites like Facebook always have online communities for your particular class, and finding people to connect with before you get to college can make you feel more at ease because you’ll actually know people before you arrive.
The majority of college campuses are relatively large, so it’s definitely a good idea to pay your campus a visit before you start classes to get to know the are a little bit better. Walk around and see what’s on your campus and also where your classes are so you won’t look like a lost puppy. If you can’t get to college before hand, check out the website, they usually offer maps, pictures and even video tours so you can at least have a little idea of what to expect.
College is all about managing your time; between classes, studying, writing papers, clubs and having a social life – you need to be able to prioritize and work efficiently. Perfecting your time management skills early on will help you in the long run.
Talk to your family and friends who have been through, or are currently in college so you get a better perspective. Ask questions! Anything that you might be concerned or unsure about – I’m sure they would be happy to help.
Trying to get organized mid-semester will not be in your favor, so invest in a planner before you get to college…that way you can start checking off everything you need to do to prepare for that first week of school (like everything on this checklist!). Plus, when you get your syllabi you can immediately start writing down and keeping track of your assignments, exams and extracurricular activities.
Every school offers free help for students in pretty much every subject. Make sure you know what’s available and where those services are located just in case you start to slip.
On-campus safety is crucial and it’s always a little extra comforting knowing the policies and rules before hand. Check out your school website for these procedures, write down any important phone numbers you may want to have on hand, know where campus officers or safety call boxes are located, etc.
It never hurts to talk your believer and hope for a great semester, or to just keep a positive mindset and get yourself psyched for an awesome freshman year!
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