A College Transition Guide for High School Seniors
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A COLLEGE TRANSITION GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

 

Now that high school seniors have all of their college acceptances back and have either already made their decision, or are in the final throes…the next question becomes, what happens between now and move-in day? Having gone through it recently with my own daughter, both for undergrad in the same state and then graduate school across the country, I can tell you – it’s a lot. In addition to all of the “to do” lists, there are a lot of emotions involved for both students and parents. I wrote a blog post about how I felt as a single mother, dropping my daughter off at college four years ago (As An Empty Nester (With a Brain Tumor) I Feared More Than Being Alone). 

Helping her move across the country last summer was easier, even though she is farther away, because I knew I could handle living alone. So, my biggest message here is one of encouragement. You can totally do this. The unfamiliar is both exciting and uncomfortable. I hope this guide helps you think through the “to dos” so that you have time to squeeze all the joy you can out of these last few months at home. 

 

BY MAY 1st: 

  • Commit to your college of choice. There can be an advantage in waiting until the deadline to increase merit awards (small, private usually). 
  • Withdraw all other applications through the college application portals.
  • Check into housing deposit deadlines. For some colleges, the housing deposit needs to be paid earlier than confirming enrollment to guarantee a spot. 
  • Finish strong in your classes and enjoy graduation and all the end of year festivities!

 

THIS SUMMER

Money Management: 

  • Get a bank account with a bank that will be accessible while you’re in college. Also, get a checkbook. Sometimes, it helps to be able to write a check.
  • Get a Credit Card Now: It’s a good idea to start building your credit score. Use the card for your normal purchases (discuss a plan with your parents). In the beginning, keep track weekly of what you’ve spent so you’re not surprised when the bill comes. Set up autopay to cover at least the minimum each month (check into rewards cards https://www.nerdwallet.com/)
  • Create a monthly budget for college and go over it with your parents. Come up with a plan for how bills will be paid and by whom.
  • Emergency Money: just in case, always keep a $100 bill in your wallet. If you lose your phone it can come in handy.
  • Bill Paying Routine: For any regular bills you’ll have to pay at college, set up autopay and monthly payment reminders.

 

Time Management

  • Calendar: Have a system to keep track of due dates & appointments. Set up reminder notifications on your phone for appointments and important tasks (Google Calendar has these built in). Business Focus Planner https://ifocus.biz/ is good if you like paper.
  • Plan Out a Sample Schedule: In your calendar, block out all of the ways you will spend your time in addition to going to classes and sleeping. Give it your best guess. Think it through now so you have a guide for making good decisions later.
  • Goals: What are your goals for the next year? Think about it. Write them down. 
  • Values: What are your three core values? Write them somewhere visible.
  • Practice Making Adult Decisions: Once you’re at college, you have to make all the decisions: how late to stay out? How often do you go out? How much sleep do you need? These are just a few of the decisions you’ll make every day. Set some guidelines for yourself now and try out different routines. Every year, kids drop out because they are exhausted from trying to do too much.

 

Household Management:

  • Laundry: Start doing laundry now to get into the habit. Learn about Oxyclean spray, detergents, pre-soaking stains and pulling clothes out when they’re hot.
  • Groceries: Go shopping with your parents at least once before you go. Learn how to shop with a list. Plan to spend at least $100 a week in an apartment.
  • Cooking: learn how to cook your favorite meals. You might be on a meal plan in your dorm but once you’re in an apartment, you’ll need to know how to cook.
  • Cleaning routine: Pretend your room is your dorm. Measure off the size and figure out what will fit. Start keeping your bathroom and your room clean. I recommend FlyLady’s Student Control Journal to establish small daily habits that add up https://www.flylady.net/i/pdf/college_coj.pdf 

 

What To Bring? 

 

Research Social Options Ahead of Time…

  • Look through the list of clubs to spot some you might want to try out. Same for sororities and fraternities…look through reviews. You’ll be overwhelmed once you get there so it’s best to spend a few hours thinking about it now.
  • Know Thyself: What qualities do your best friends have? What kind of personalities are a good match for you? How much alone time do you need each day? The more you know YOU going in, the better you can navigate your way.

 

Enjoy This Time….

Whatever that means to you, reconnect with yourself during this summer so that you bring your “muchness” with you when you go. 

 

THIS FALL, IN COLLEGE…

Self-Care

The most important piece of self-care is setting up routines. Think about:

  • Sleep: how much do you need to function? How much is ideal? Pack ear plugs and a face mask. Consider a noise machine and a mattress Topper.
  • Food: nearest grocery store? Need a wagon to carry groceries? How much will you eat at the Dorm versus buying? Mini-fridge in dorm room? 
  • Health Insurance: Find out who is in network and if you need supplemental insurance. Establish care with in-network providers before you leave.
  • Medical Appointments: Transfer prescriptions to a local pharmacy close to campus, ideally where you get groceries. Set up a primary care doctor, dentist and eye care before you leave (if you plan to have these back at home, set up the appointments during breaks). If you need appointments with specialists near college, set them up now and transfer records.
  • Exercise: make a routine and look up options. Choose a few to try.
  • Managing Stress: Learn to notice when you need to regroup. 
    • A good night’s sleep can change your entire outlook. 
    • Make a “recovery list” for yourself, now while you’re at home.
      • What puts you in a good mood/uplifts you? (videos, songs etc)
      • What energizes you? 
      • Who can you call when you need support?
      • Be aware of when you might be getting sick. Consider using the Calm App or other Apps for tracking health (e.g., Apple Watch).
  • Clubs/Social: You won’t have your normal support group of family and friends so you’ll need to be intentional about forming new relationships. The good news is that everyone else is in the same boat as you. Try out different clubs and opportunities and keep the ones that fit. This is a time to learn things about yourself you never knew. The first few months are a time when everyone is finding “their people.” 

 

Safety

  • Mama bear forms: If you need them, you really want to have them. You’re an adult now and need to be prepared: https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/ 
  • ICE (In Case of Emergency) Contact in your Phone
  • Health: Nearest ER in network? Doctor in network? Nearby urgent care?
  • Staying physically safe:
    • Situational Awareness: always be aware of your surroundings.
    • Consider taking a self-defense class before you go.
    • Listen to your inner quiet voice. 
    • Decide BEFORE you get in the situation how you will handle it.
    • Consider a personal alarm like Birdie or Life360
    • Give roommates and trusted friends your parents’ phone numbers so they can be reached quickly in case something happens.
    • Also listen to your gut instincts and get out of a bad situation as soon as you realize it.

 

Study Tips

  • If Academics Get Overwhelming:
    • Go to the tutoring center or get a private tutor: try Wyzant.
    • Form a study group
    • Go to office hours
    • Find out if you can record lectures using an AI Notetaker 
  • The biggest single predictor of student success is Time + Attention. Learn where and how you study best once you’re at college. 
  • “Working Backwards” look ahead to your dreams and work backwards to see what other people have done to get there and to see what you need to do. For example, if there is a college internship that you would love to get, look and see who has gotten it and what they’ve done.
  • Track your “Enthusiasm Rating” each week…what energizes you?  What do you think about in your free time? Follow your where your energy and enthusiasm lead. On the other hand…what drains you and brings you down. Take stock weekly, monthly and yearly and make adjustments.

 

Books About the Transition to College

 

Final Thoughts:

These four years in college are a time for you to learn more about yourself and to expand your capacity. By the time you graduate, you’ll know how to live on your own and you will have learned a lot about yourself. Now that I’m a college counselor, I help students make this transition every year. As I picture each of their smiling faces in my mind, I just want to pack all of the support and encouragement I can into them before sending them off. Life can be tough. It can also be amazing. All any of us can do is make the best choices we can each day and stay true to ourselves. Each and every one of you is a gift to this world. May college be a time where you unwrap yourself with joy. Go get ‘em!