Preparing for College
So, you’re finally preparing for college. Maybe you’re already packing your suitcases, imagining the excitement of college orientation and setting up your new dorm room. Soon after that, you’ll be walking into your first class, joining clubs, trying to make new friends… When you actually stop to think about it, there’s a lot of new things coming your way. Maybe knowing how to prepare for college isn’t as simple as remembering your toothbrush.
In this article, we’re giving a crash course on how to prepare for college life. While this won’t be exhaustive, we’ll cover some key college advice for freshman year.
In particular this guide on preparing for college will cover:
- Tips for preparing for college in high school, and how it’ll be different
- Preparing for college courses and residential life
- What to pack for your freshman year of college
- Emotionally preparing for college life
- Advice for preparing for college orientation and your first days on campus
- Our top 5 freshman year of college tips
Some of this advice is specifically for residential students, but most of our college advice for freshman year is universally applicable. If that sounds good, let’s jump in!
As a senior in high school, you might think you know what to expect from college life. But the truth is, whether you’re heading to a large state university or a small liberal arts school, college will be a bit different from what you’re used to.
Key differences: high school vs. college
One of the most fundamental differences between high school vs. college is independence. While in high school, you may have already experienced some degree of independence, but college cracks your world wide open. Yes, you can come and go whenever you please — but you’re also in charge of managing your own time and study schedule.
Whereas in high school, your day is probably rigidly scheduled from first to last bell, college is much less structured. Starting college, you may only have a few classes in a day, leaving the rest of the day up to you. This flexibility means you must be diligent in planning your time and assignments if you want to stay on track. If you’ve been a master procrastinator up to now, you may need to come up with new strategies to stay on top of your workload.
The courses you take in college will determine the kind of work you do outside of class. STEM-heavy schedules usually mean lots of problem sets in the evenings. Social sciences and humanities courses require a lot of reading. These aren’t the kinds of assignments you can cram 20 minutes before class, either. Because you’re in class for fewer hours, you’re expected to devote more time outside the classroom to your learning. In-depth readings and complex problems demand critical thinking — the ability to absorb, synthesize, and discuss information. If you’re not used to assignments like this, preparing for college coursework can be intimidating.
Preparing for college in high school
What are some ways to go about preparing for college in high school? Knowing how to prepare for college in high school means knowing how to shift your mindset. Proactive steps toward college readiness as a high school student usually entail building healthy habits and personal responsibility.
Even if you aren’t taking college-level courses, you can start approaching your high school academic life like you are. Manage your own schedule and deadlines without reminders; whether it’s an online calendar or a physical planner, track assignments and due dates. Organize your own time by scheduling when you’ll work on certain assignments. Don’t forget to schedule in downtime! Advocate for yourself with teachers, counselors, and other adults. Need accommodations for an assignment, or have extenuating circumstances around a test? Make your needs known in a tactful, timely manner.
Attending a residential college also means taking care of yourself. If you haven’t practiced life skills like laundry, cooking, and making appointments, start now. Don’t be embarrassed to ask a parent or guardian for help or advice. You’d be surprised how far a few simple meals and confidence can go when you’re on a college budget.
When we talk about how to prepare for college, we aren’t just talking about academics. In a nutshell, preparing for college in high school is about cultivating habits to become self-sufficient and responsible. You have to make sure you’re eating right and getting work done, even when nobody’s checking over your shoulder.
Getting ready for college-level classes
We touched on academics earlier, but let’s look at some more tips for how to prepare for college courses. You can start preparing for college classes by thoroughly reading course syllabi. In your freshman year of college, you’ll get used to receiving syllabi with course and grading information, assignment deadlines, and more. Consider this your map, and remember two things: you can always look ahead, and you are not alone.
Time management is a core skill when learning how to prepare for college. Look at the week ahead and schedule your time accordingly, like planning review sessions between classes. Take advantage of study groups and tutoring, and make sure you study upcoming material so you go prepared with questions. Use your critical reading skills! It’s tempting to use ChatGPT to filter and process information, but what it spit out isn’t always right. Train your reading skills so you always feel confident falling back on your own interpretation of information.
Building relationships is another important piece of college advice for freshman year. Your professors and TAs are there to help you work through and understand the material. Participate in class so they know your face and that you’re doing your best to engage. If you’re having issues, drop into office hours or request a meeting with your professor. They’re probably excited to have students asking questions, so don’t be shy.
Finally, if you need academic accommodations like extended time on assignments or exams, you must advocate for yourself. Inquire with the college disability services or academic support office about your options. Most colleges and universities have some support systems in place, so it’s always worth the effort to ask.
Adjusting to dorm life
Now, let’s talk about how to prepare for college dorm life. Dorms come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, but they are all communal living spaces. That means shared kitchens, shared bathrooms — either with an adjoining room or the floor — and, often, roommates. Especially in your freshman year of college, you’re likely to share a room with one to three other students.
As a member of the dorm community, you have a responsibility to take care of these shared spaces. Do cooking and laundry promptly to ensure equipment is free for others. When moving in, take time to discuss boundaries and expectations with your future roommates. Will you clean in shifts, or take responsibility for your area of the room? Are you okay with them having friends in the room when you aren’t there? These may seem like common sense, but starting out with solid ground rules can keep disputes from spiraling later in the year.
There are some challenges to living in a shared environment, like noise, privacy, and socializing. If noise at night is a problem, consider getting earplugs to help you sleep. You may even propose designated quiet hours to your roommate or even your RA. If you prefer to study or work in the dorm, make arrangements with roommates and neighbors. It may also be worth it to see if there are study rooms or common areas within the dorm.
What to Pack (and What to Skip)
There are some non-negotiables when it comes to packing and preparing for college:
- Bedding (twin XL — not twin!)
- Toiletries
- Clothes
- Electronics
- ID and other important documents
- Medicine
You might dream of making your dorm feel more like home. Wall and floor decor, rugs, lighting, comfort items, and posters may end up adorning your room. Depending on the location of your school and your resources, you may not need to pack these. If there are superstores or even student-friendly stores and pop-ups near campus, you may be able to find these during orientation.
If you know how to prepare for college, you may also know about the dangers of overpacking. Avoid duplicate items with your roommate(s) like cleaning supplies, large decor items like chairs, or even smaller ones like shoe racks. Pack fewer clothes and shoes than you think you need; don’t forget that you have laundry facilities. Finally, while it’s nice to decorate your dorm room, don’t go full Howl’s Moving Castle! Don’t pack in so much decor that you can’t walk around and feel like you have a little room to breathe.
Budgeting for College
We’ve all heard the stereotype of the broke college student. In fact, preparing for college financial realities can be a step toward greater financial literacy and independence. Managing your personal finances as a college student may be challenging, but it can instill healthy habits for adulthood. Let’s take a moment to think about how to prepare for college finances.
Making a realistic budget for college starts with outlining your main expenses, up to and including tuition and housing. As such, knowing how to prepare for college budgeting starts far earlier than when you step foot on campus. Even if your tuition is covered wholly or in part by scholarships, loans, or other sources, include it in your budget. Your budget will also include more immediate expenses like food, transportation, class materials, and personal expenses. Track your spending and categorize it accordingly, staying under your designated monthly budget cap or income.
Speaking of monthly income, you may need to find a source of it during college. Many universities offer work-study and campus jobs for students. A benefit of working on campus can be greater convenience fitting your job into your schedule. Either way, if you are working part-time, be clear with your supervisor about your class schedule and commitments. It’s better to cultivate positive relationships, even if you get fewer shifts, rather than overcommitting and letting someone down.
Let’s circle back to tuition and, more importantly, loans. If you’ve taken out student loans, keep a close eye on them. Stay aware of how much you’ve borrowed, how much interest you’re accruing, and your repayment terms. The financial impact of loans starts from day one; don’t let the rush of college cloud your view of the long term.
Building emotional readiness for college
If you’re going to a residential college, especially one far from home, it’s normal to feel a little homesick. Do you know how to prepare for college homesickness? One way is to maintain connections to home with calls and texts to friends and family. Another way is to immerse yourself in campus life, making a new home for yourself. It may not make your homesickness go away, but it can help you make new, positive memories.
Establishing self-care routines before starting college and maintaining them once you’re there can help as well. Journaling can help you sort through complex emotions and situations, and it may yield important insights about your thoughts. You may find that you prefer a mindfulness practice or meditation to clear your mind and gain some inner peace. Another good way to clear your mind is exercise — one of the best things you can do for your health, period. All of these may be done alone or with others, so you have flexibility in how you tend to your emotional health.
Failures and setbacks are a natural part of any life experience, and college is no exception. Preparing for college also means preparing yourself to face and overcome academic, social, or professional failures. Cultivate resilience by learning to find lessons in failures and not letting them keep you down. No matter how diligent you are, some things in college will not go your way. Being resilient will keep you on track and in a healthy mindset when things don’t go like you wanted.
Finding support and building connections
Another part of preparing for college is creating a strong social support network. There are plenty of problems that will require support, and it’s paramount to find people who can stand by you. Fortunately, there will be plenty of opportunities to find friends during your freshman year of college.
Here’s some college advice for freshman year: when there are social events for introducing you to your peers, go. Attend welcome week events and club fairs. Even if you’re not sure about joining a club, try asking the students at the table about their organization. They may have fresh perspectives on something, and regardless, it’s smart to meet upperclassmen. They might even have some wisdom for you. Try going to floor meetings in your dorm to meet your neighbors and RA. It’s a good idea to have support close to home.
When you’re starting college, you might find yourself in need of academic help — this is another opportunity to build connections. Whether you’re going to weekly study sessions or forming your own discussion groups, combining academic and social support can work wonders. Information might stick better if you review it in good company. Even if study buddies aren’t close friends, you can rely on each other for notes on missed classes or last-minute exam review.
Finally, look into student organizations relevant to your interests, identity, or career goals. Through them, you may find friends with whom you can share experiences, learn something new, or face common challenges. Identity-based and professional groups often have strong alumni networks, so you can find support even after graduation. One day, you may even pay it forward by becoming a mentor to students or recent alumni.
Preparing for college orientation
Let’s zoom in on an important part of starting college: preparing for college orientation. College advice for freshman year can’t leave out the whirlwind excitement of orientation. Expect a lot of activities, from the standard campus tour and class registration to panels and social events. In between, you’ll probably be meeting people, settling into your dorm, and getting to know the campus.
When you’re preparing for college orientation, take a look at the schedule and think of questions. You’ll have opportunities to meet several deans and directors, so ask them exactly what you want to know. Take some time to reflect on your expectations of things like housing, safety, and academic departments. Are there any gaps in your understanding, or things you want to confirm?
Orientation will be chock-full of events, and it can be a bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, you should try to attend all the mandatory sessions and as many optional ones as you can. They are great opportunities to learn and network with students, faculty, and staff alike. By attending lots of informational events, you’ll be well-prepared to hit the ground running when classes begin. You might even learn something new that you can pass on to someone else later.
Overall, preparing for college orientation means preparing to socialize and learn your way around campus. Put yourself out there without expecting everything to go perfectly. You’ll meet a lot of people during orientation, but not everyone will end up a close friend. Focus on absorbing as much information as you can and trying to find people you get along with.
College Advice for Freshman: 5 Tips
There’s endless college advice for freshman year if you look, but they all boil down to some essentials. Here are our top five freshman year of college tips:
5 Tips for Freshman
1. Go to class.
This should be obvious, but especially in courses where attendance isn’t tracked closely, it can be tempting to skip class. However, it should go without saying that skipping class ultimately only hurts you. More time in class means more time with the material, and opportunities to get your questions answered. Additionally, maintaining the self-discipline to go to class can help you enforce healthy habits in other areas of your life.
2. Explore, but don’t overcommit.
There is an unbelievable amount of stuff going on in your freshman year of college. It’s easy to let your personal, social, and academic lives get out of balance by trying to take on too many things at once. Preparing for college also entails preparing to say “no” to make time for yourself and other commitments.
3. Stay organized.
Even if you don’t overcommit, there will still be lots of courses, labs, meetings, and assignments on your plate. Don’t lose track of important dates and tasks. Nowadays, there’s no shortage of useful tools for tracking your time and to-dos — use them.
4. Ask for help.
You are never alone, especially at a university. Don’t let pride or stubbornness stop you from reaching out to support services for academic accommodations or concerns. Leverage study groups, office hours, and advisors to address specific questions about academics. For personal matters, turn to friends and family; you can also seek out campus mental health services.
5. Practice self-care.
At the end of the day, you can’t do your best in class or clubs if you aren’t feeling your best. Make sure to maintain a healthy sleep schedule, even when assignments start piling up. Try to exercise or at least move your body regularly — even short walks in between study sessions can help. And maintain a balanced, healthy diet, whether from the dining hall or your own frying pan.
Preparing for College – Final Thoughts
Preparing for college in high school and over the summer can feel a bit daunting, especially if you’re moving far away. In this article, we talked about how to prepare for college and up your college readiness. Before even getting to campus, you can start preparing for college by practicing self-discipline and building healthy habits. Be diligent and proactive in completing coursework; pitch in with housework if you don’t already.
Mentally preparing for college includes anticipating the ups and downs of communal living, managing your personal finances, and tackling college-level courses. For many, college requires learning a new level of personal responsibility. Stay self-aware and resilient in the face of setbacks, and try to learn from your mistakes. Be friendly — you’ll need to build your own support network and figure out when and how to use it. On a lighter note, don’t overpack!
Feel like you need some more guidance on exploring, applying, or preparing for college? CollegeAdvisor’s got your back. We have a huge variety of free resources on navigating college admissions. From exploring schools to applying to scholarships and even packing, we have a guide for wherever you are in the application process.
This article was written by Gina Goosby. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
