5 Ways to Prepare for College

College is the beginning of a new chapter of your life. Increased responsibilities and higher expectations accompany this significant step. You studied hard throughout high school, participated in various extracurricular activities and prepped thoroughly for college entrance exams to increase your chances of getting into your dream school. Now that you’re in, how exactly do you prepare for college? Here are some tips for setting yourself up for success as you start this exciting phase of life.

1. Finances

Most students must take out student loans to pay for college tuition, room and board and other related expenses. Apply for all of the scholarships and grants you possibly can to limit the amount of tuition you pay. There are scholarships and grants to help many different populations. Some are need-based. Others require essays or other application materials to determine a winner. It may seem like a lot of work, but this is all free money that can reduce the overall amount of your college loans, so it will be well worth the extra efforts in the long run. When choosing loans, look for low-interest rates and avoid getting out enormous amounts to live off. College is a time when many people live frugally and learn to budget. Remember, the bigger the loan you take out, the higher your payments will be upon graduation.

2. Campus Job

Look for a job on campus or other part-time jobs to help provide some income as you go through college if you think you can manage to do well in your studies and work. Time management can help prepare you for life after college, so it may be beneficial to start using a calendar and other resources to practice your time management skills.

3. Chores

College is typically the first time many young adults have lived independently or away from their families. For some, it is the first time they ever have to worry about doing chores, cleaning or cooking for themselves. This can be a huge shock and create a lot of questions. To prepare, spend the summer before college learning different household tasks. Ask your parents what they do each week to clean and start helping if you do not already. Learn how to do your laundry and iron your clothes. It is also a great time to make a grocery list, plan meals out and work to minimize waste. Refrigerator space and kitchen appliances may be limited, depending on your college living situation, so it is also a good idea to learn how to cook meals you will be able to fix yourself in college.

4. Read 

The summer before college, you should start getting into the habit of reading each day. Some of you may already read a lot for leisure, and that is great. It will prepare you for the readings your professors will assign you. Choose a mixture of books you enjoy reading and books that push your current comprehension and vocabulary levels to prepare for textbook and research papers.

5. General Courses

If you are going into college unsure of what major you want to pursue, fill your first semester with general education classes that meet graduation requirements. These typically include a set number of credits in math, English, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and other electives. These required credits are a great way to take courses that interest you but may not necessarily align with your major. These courses could also provide you with insight into a major you may enjoy. At the very least, filling your first semester with general education courses ensures you do not waste time, money or credits that do not help you meet graduation requirements. If you are taking AP courses in high school, be sure to talk to someone about how to receive credits for those courses if possible.

There are many ways to prepare to make the most of your experience, including reading, learning cleaning and cooking skills and being more in tune with finances. Rely on resources such as family and friends and college advisors to help you prepare. Set yourself up for success as you get ready to start college by being as prepared as possible.