Things to Do the Summer Before College
Making Sure You're Ready to Move in and Start Classes
May 25, 2009
Starting college is a big step in a young adult's life. After filling out applications, applying for financial aid, and reserving a dorm room, high school graduation and a summer of parties, sun, and relaxation seem to be in order for the newest graduates.
However, summer is not the time to completely forget about college and getting ready to hit the campus. There are some things to do in order to make the transition from graduation to matriculation easier for the student and parents.
Residence Life: Contact Your Roommate
Almost all universities send incoming students the contact information for their future roommate. While the relaxed attitude may persuade you to put the letter aside and wait until move-in day, sitting down and contacting the new roommate is a good way to begin the year right. Sort out who is going to bring major dorm items, such as a refrigerator and a television. Most universities only allow one of these per room, so deciding this beforehand makes moving easier on everyone.
Getting to know a roommate before moving in makes the big day less awkward. Instead of walking into a room with a complete stranger, sending emails or talking on the phone helps to reduce the anxiety of moving away from home.
Financial Aid: Scholarships, Loans, and Paying the Bill
If the first year's tuition isn't completely covered, now is the time to start looking for student loans and scholarships. It is best not to wait on looking for financing; some institutions can take weeks, sometimes a month or two, before sending your check or asking for more information.
Most colleges and universities, especially private schools, require that most of the balance be paid or scheduled to be paid prior to moving in and attending class. If the balance isn't paid by a certain deadline or put on a scheduled payment plan, then the school may block you from attending or registering for classes, eating in the dining hall, or using campus facilities. If there are questions, contact the school's business office or bursar to make sure everything is squared away.
Campus Technology: Make Sure Everything Works
If a student already has a computer and/or printer to take with him, make sure that everything is working properly. Conduct regular maintenance, such as disk defragmentation and a virus scan, to make sure that there aren't any hidden problems and the machine is running optimally. If anything needs to be fixed, contact the company and get repairs taken care of quickly.
Also make sure that all the data on a system is backed up. Sometimes it is possible to pick up a virus on a campus network, no matter how secure it may be. Get in the habit of continually backing up information and always save to a jump drive and another location, just to be safe.
Academics: Get Clear and Get Ready to Enter the Classroom
If a student has Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO,) or any other classes that carry college credit, make sure that the credit has been applied appropriately with the scheduling office. This will come in handy when it comes time to schedule for future semesters or in the event that the student transfers.
If a student does not plan on buying text books from the college or university, contact professors and begin asking for lists of required texts needed for the course. Online retailers such as Amazon and Half.com are great places for college students to buy and sell text books at prices much lower than many campus bookstores. If in doubt, contact the campus bookstore and ask about used text book plans, text book reservations, or ebooks.
Don't forget to try to maintain some academic practices. Reading a book or two, keeping up on the news, or working puzzles on a rainy day helps to keep a student's mind in an analytical mindset. With college classes, the amount of time taken to ease back into the academic routine is extremely short and a new student needs to be prepared for the rapid pace of college courses.
While summer may be a time when graduates want to enjoy the sun and new-found freedom, it is important to remember that preparation for college is important in order to make the transition as easy as possible.
