- Dr. Mena Birett
Are you overwhelmed?
You’ve graduated high school. Congratulations! You are excited for summer, yet there is a nagging feeling of anxiety that is clouding the otherwise bright summer excitement. The college countdown is officially on! What should you do so that you can have a good summer yet also prepare for college?
It’s time to purge your closet You’ll need some polished, internship-approved clothes, going-out items, and every day “I’m sitting in class” clothes. Get rid of the things you don’t need anymore. You can hand them down to siblings, sell them at a garage sale (and make some $$ for college), or give them to Goodwill.
Getting organized on the outside will help you be organized on the inside You will need to pare down your possessions, as your college room that you share with one or more people probably will not be able to accommodate all of the stuff that you have in your room at home. If you begin to organize your current space now it will be that much easier as the summer comes to an end.
Update your resume You may be applying for jobs and will need this. If your college has an equivalent of a first-year experience class they will most likely have you create one. Doing it in the summer will put you ahead of the game!
Set up your social media for your new school If you haven’t already, start connecting with your new college friends before you get on campus.
Get informed Surprise your professors by knowing about current events. Look into sites like The New York Times.
Spend time with your parents As hard as it is to imagine, you may just miss them while you are away at college. Enjoy your time with them.
Connect with your new roommate You may only be discussing who is going to bring the microwave or the rug, but this is the time to begin a, hopefully, positive relationship. The first days will be less awkward if you know something about their family and some of their likes or dislikes.
Make an appointment with your doctor Make sure to get a physical and that all of your immunizations are up-to-date. Make sure to bring information, like the following, with you to college:
What’s your doctor’s phone number?
Where should you refill your prescriptions at school?
When should you make your next appointment?
Who should you contact if you need a doctor at school?
Get familiar with your college town Although you have four years to know the ins and outs of your college town, do some research now. Get to know the public transportation system, restaurants, and where to get your hair cut.
Go to orientation One of the most important parts of beginning your college career is attending Orientation. You may take placement tests, work with your advisor to register for fall classes and meet faculty, staff and other new students just like you. You will also receive valuable information on what to expect in the next few months.
Register for classes Most orientation programs include class registration. Take a look at the requirements in advance so that you can ask questions during the registration process.
Buy your textbooks
Now that you have your classes selected, it is time to buy the cheapest textbooks. You can purchase the books at your college bookstore or search the web for deals. You may want to look at sites like Amazon, TextbooksRUs, Chegg, etc.
Get a makeover Imagine a new look for this new chapter in your life. A new haircut and new wardrobe will begin the transformation of the new you.
Learn how to get ready, quickly Have you ever overslept? Do you know how to get ready and to class on time? Take this summer to “train” yourself to streamline your morning routine (we will discuss the morning routine in an upcoming blog) so that mornings will be less stressful.
Take a self-defense class Being on your own can be scary. Get trained to react in an emergency so that you can go away to college with confidence.
C.A.N. is here for you to ensure that you are up to the challenges that lay ahead. If you would like to discuss the transition to college and how C.A.N. can be of assistance, please fill out the contact us page on our website. http://www.canstudentconsultants.com/