The Summer Before College
SaveUnsure of how you should use your time this summer before college? Check out the tips below to make the most out of your transition into higher education.
You're about to graduate high school and you've already committed to a college — congrats! With summer upon us, you might wonder how you should spend your months-long summer before you officially start college. Here are a few options to consider:
Work and Save Up
There is no way around it: college is expensive. Even if you are lucky enough to have scholarships, grants, or loans that cover your tuition, you will most likely still need money for move-in costs, school supplies, and extracurricular activities. Working any job during the summer is a great way to save up for everyday (and emergency) purchases so you don't have to stress too much about it during the school year.
Volunteer Locally
Volunteering may be an excellent way to give back to nonprofit organizations that helped you throughout high school and to get to college. Nonprofits have a wide range of focuses, from animal rescues to tutoring students to community clean-ups. Chances are there's a local nonprofit near you that could use your help, and working with them would be a rewarding experience. Even though volunteering won't earn you any money, this always looks good on your resume.
Take a Summer Course or Two
A wide range of summer courses are available to you at any community college at a low cost. This is a good (and likely more affordable) way to complete the general ed courses required of your college and major.
Universities also often offer a summer prep program on their campus. Chances are you've received an email about this from the college you are attending in the fall (check your spam!) or the information is available on their website. These prep programs are often aimed at first-generation students, though they are a great opportunity for any kind of student to meet and get to know their fellow peers and professors ahead of time.
Wherever you take them, taking a summer course or two is a beneficial and low-stakes way to immerse yourself in a college environment. Your college workload will be very different from your high school workload, so finding out the study strategies and routines that work best for you would be highly beneficial before college officially starts.
Spend Time with Your Family and Friends
Depending on where you're going to college in the fall, you may be physically far away from your family and your childhood friends. Either way, you will have a busy schedule, and it may be hard to build in time to keep in touch with old friends while you are making new ones in college. The summer before starting college is a good opportunity to bond with your loved ones before starting your new chapter. (But don't worry, thanks to technology these days, you can always make time to catch up with your old friends!)
Rest!
No matter your major, college will be a very busy time with only one or two breaks built in. While it is crucial to make time to rest throughout the semester, it is also a good idea to rest as much as possible before you begin so you can start college with a fresh mind and prevent burnout.
Set Up and Organize Your Living Space
Whether you're living on campus, off campus, or commuting from home, it's essential to prepare your living space to meet all of your college needs.
If you're living with roommates, it's important to talk about each of your living styles and preferences, including dividing chores, setting quiet hours, and talking through other house rules. Before moving in, discuss which kind of furniture and other necessities need to be purchased to make your new living space a home.
Setting up your work and study space is crucial if you're living at home you're your family. You should also work out your schedule for driving to avoid rush hour traffic, or, if you're using public transportation, find out the bus or train times that work best for your class schedule. You may want to practice your commute before your classes start in case there are any unanticipated hiccups along the way.
Check Your Email!
Even though you aren't technically in classes yet, it's important to check your new school email once a day to stay on top of any important events and requirements.
Most schools will have an orientation required of you to attend. Orientations are a great way to meet your peers, attend job fairs, and learn about your choices of on-campus extracurriculars. Orientations often take place in the days leading up to the first day of classes, which may mean you need to move in a few days early.
Professors often email you about your course syllabi and required class materials before classes begin. Though syllabi are often several pages long, it's critical to read through them to know what to expect from the course, and what the professor expects from you. Ensure you have the class supplies and technology necessary so you aren't scrambling to make a big purchase after classes start.
Your syllabi should also have all your assignments. It's a good idea to know how to access all of your readings if your professor does not offer them to you. Familiarize yourself with your library system, as there are several free or affordable ways to access your readings, such as checking out physical copies, inter-library loans, or Google Scholar. If you need to purchase your own copy, make sure to do this ahead of time.
A Combination of All of the Above
While you have many options on how to spend the summer before you start college, you don't have to commit to just one. Figure out what works best for your schedule, budget, and other commitments.
This will likely be your last summer without any commitments, so choose wisely and be sure to include some rest time before you embark on your college journey!
Melissa Ortiz
Melissa has ten years of experience working in research and administration in several nonprofits and higher education institutions. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.Articles & Advice
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