College Prep Tips

Attending college is the dream of many high school students. However, before they leave their high schools in the rear-view mirror and head to the college campus of their choice to begin their freshman year, it helps to be prepared. The jump from high school to college can be jarring for many students. It seems as though everything is different, from course structures to scheduling and dorm life, but that’s because it is.

Thankfully, there are some things that students can do in order to properly prep for college. Here are six suggestions to help make that transition as smooth as possible.

1) Attend a Pre-College Summer Program

A pre-college summer program, like the ones offered by Dean College, are designed to give high schoolers a taste of college life. For the length of the two-week program (there are three majors to choose from: sports management, sports broadcasting, and forensic science), students live in a dorm, eat in the cafeteria, and attend lectures. It’s a real taste of the college experience!

2) Visit Your Campus More than Once

Another way to prep for college is to visit your chosen college campus more than once. It’s recommended that you go on some official tours to see the campus, as well as some unofficial ones in order to get a feel for the place. If you know someone who goes to your chosen school, this is a good way to get to know what life is like there.

3) Attend Orientation Sessions

After you’re accepted to the college of your dreams, they’ll have plenty of orientation sessions for new students. At these sessions, you can meet some professors, work with an advisor to set up your schedule, and even tour a few dorms to see what they’re like. You’ll also get to meet plenty of your fellow students, so make sure that you attend. This way, you’ll have a friend or two made before you even start packing for school.

4) Ask Alumni for Advice

Some schools have alumni boards and groups that contact incoming freshmen in order to serve as ambassadors. They may contact you via email or online message boards. Take advantage of their wisdom and experience by asking them all of the questions that you have about college life and the school itself. Their responses will be very helpful and tailored toward your chosen school.

5) Determine Your Major

Although many students already have an idea of what they’d like to major in (this is where attending a pre-college summer program comes in handy), others are still deciding between a few different options. Although you don’t need to decide immediately and can spend some time getting your general education courses out of the way first, it helps to know what your major will be.

6) Read as Much as Possible

Finally, read as much as possible before you start packing for your freshman year. There are numerous guides to college, many of which were written by people who’ve been in your shoes. If you want to succeed, read those guides and take the information that they contain to heart. They will only help you prepare for college life.

Interested in getting a taste of the college experience before committing to a school? Learn more about pre-college summer programs.