It’s no secret that the entire college process comes with many challenges. Whether it’s navigating the process of searching and applying beforehand, adjusting to a new environment and absorbing new material, or figuring out how you’re going to pay for your education, there are numerous hurdles that students must clear to make for as seamless of a transition as possible.
While this new chapter can be exciting, for many students it signals a transition to adulthood and everything that comes with it. In this article, we’ll explore how you can prepare for this new beginning and set yourself up for academic success!
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Research the colleges on your list
Naturally, this is the first step to preparing for college successfully. If you’ve considered some colleges you’d like to attend, doing your follow-up research on those schools is crucial, as it will help you figure out which ones are good options for you. A few key questions you’ll want to ask yourself when deciding if a school is a good fit are:
- Does the school have a strong program for what I want to major in?
- Does the school offer the major(s) I may be interested in?
- How far is this school from my hometown? If it is far, what are my transportation options?
- What are the costs associated with this school? Can I afford it?
- What is the campus life like? What clubs, organizations, job opportunities may be available for me to explore/pursue?
In the past, things weren’t as straightforward as they are now, as students had to send letters, visit the college, and get in touch with those who attended it.
However, this is no longer necessary, and it’s all due to technology. It only takes a few clicks to learn everything you want about a particular subject. So, you can inform yourself about the colleges on your list by checking the school’s official websites and reading blogs, forums, reviews, etc. If you have the chance to visit a school prior to applying, this can also give you the opportunity to take a tour, see what campus life is like, and perhaps even chat with current students to learn about their experiences.
Participate in extracurricular activities
Getting involved in extracurricular activities can make high school much more exciting. Plus, it also helps you gain proficiencies that you won’t ever be able to learn only through tests and textbooks. Extracurricular activities, such as sports, arts, and volunteering can provide you with excellent opportunities to develop skills like public speaking, teamwork, leadership, self-awareness and creativity, which are essential in multiple areas of life, including your college life! Plus, colleges strongly appreciate students who are well-rounded, and participate in activities outside of the classroom.
There are countless different options for extracurricular activities, but the point is to find ones that best suit your interests and passions. Ideally, you should pick activities that align with your personal or professional vision.
Consider how you will pay for college
When preparing for college, you need to factor in the costs involved. A financial aid representative or your school counselor can help you to figure out how much financial aid you may be eligible for from a given college or university. In addition to counselors, the studentaid.gov website (the site where you will file your FAFSA on) offers additional reading and resources to help you navigate the process. Generally, federal financial aid doesn’t depend on your grades but rather your level of financial need based on family income and other factors.
There are several other types of financial aid available to students in addition to the financial aid offered through the federal government. There’s also state government aid, scholarships, and private loans. Of all the financial aid options available, scholarships are easily the most desirable, given that money earned from scholarships does not need to be repaid! While many students think there are only scholarships for college students available, there are actually lots of college scholarships for high school students as well, which should certainly be taken advantage of! At the end of the day, it’s essential to explore all the possible options and start thinking about the financial aspects of higher education as early as possible.
Get support from your school counselor, teachers and mentors
Teachers, school counselors, coaches, and mentors can offer you various types of support regarding your college path. Your teacher and college counselor can help to prepare you for the academic pieces of the puzzle that are involved in both applying and preparing for college.
A mentor will help you acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses and give you advice on how you can develop yourself professionally. Plus, they can also write a letter of recommendation for you. Their wisdom and advice can be truly valuable and make a significant difference in your life, so don’t hesitate to build relationships with people who inspire you.
Develop college readiness skills
Think about the life skills you’ll need when transitioning to college, and work actively in the months leading up to college to develop them. For instance, you could ask your mom to teach you how to cook some easy meals that you can make in your dorm. Similarly, a mentor could help you establish short term goals related to academics or your career on a larger scale, and work with you to create a plan to accomplish them. Money management, grocery shopping, and personal safety are other essential things you should learn about.
You can learn skills simply by watching tutorials on YouTube. What matters is to figure out what you want to learn and then establish clear goals, like practicing a new skill every month.
Prepare emotionally
Significant transitions can take a toll on your mental health. Therefore, it’s also crucial to focus on preparing yourself emotionally. If you get homesick quickly, you should take a box of items to have with you during overwhelming times. It’s also paramount to take care of yourself when moving away from your parents and friends. This means ensuring you have consistent sleep hygiene, eating healthy, and getting regular exercise.
It would also help to develop strategies that will help you cope with challenging situations. However, if you find yourself struggling, it’s important to remember that you are never alone, and it’s okay to ask for help. There are plenty of resources you can turn to when you feel like you can’t handle things on your own, so don’t be afraid to use them.
In conclusion…
At the end of the day, while the transition from high school to college can be a challenging one, by preparing and planning early, doing your research, and utilizing the resources at your disposal, you can get ahead of the curve and put yourself on a path to success.
