College Series 5: I've Picked My School. Now what?
College may still seem really scary. I was extremely scared. Even when I had decided where I was going, a constant loop of doubt and fear was constantly going off in my head. If you have figured out where you are going, CONGRATS! You trusted yourself enough to make this decision. I'm so excited for you. To be honest, I was so scared about the unknown, I almost missed some important next steps that I needed to make. So to make your transition a little easier, here are some next steps for you between now and your first day of school:
1. Make sure everything is financially set. Be aware of how much you owe the school and make sure that you are financially cleared. Don't be afraid to ask your financial aid office questions and don't be afraid to confirm things. If you see a mistake, talk about it as early as possible. Whether it's with your FAFSA, CSS, school scholarships, loans, etc., make sure everything is set in stone. Any mistake in these things can change the course of your graduation, so be brave and speak up. Also, take time to research and apply to outside scholarships. This has so much potential to help you. It's rare that a college gives you all the financial help that you want/expect, so if affording school is something very important to you, you need to take time to apply to scholarships. (More on affording school in a previous post up on this blog. Go check it out!)
2. Look up fun classes to take and clubs to be a part of. Most college websites have their course lists already posted for each major. Plan ahead. If you take ten minutes to look up some courses, look up some potential professors, and have an idea whether or whether not you would enjoy a class, you will potentially be a lot less stressed in picking classes around registration time.
3. Figure out your roommate situation. Some colleges don't allow you to pick, but if your college allows you to, make sure you find them early. Otherwise, you might be at the dorm you don't want to be in and potentially someone that isn't a good match. Some important things to remember: make sure you are clear and direct from the beginning. Your roommate potentially is your first friend but if things are suppressed from the beginning, other issues that arise will be hard to solve.
4. Contact a current student or recent alum. (Even if you don't know them personally!) Almost every college student understands the struggles with registering for classes, adjusting to new independence, housing, and other things that you might be worried about or don't understand. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions! Most people will want to help you. There is a lot that colleges don't tell you. But by reaching out, you could be less stressed and will keep yourself from facing certain issues.
5. Compile a list ahead of time of things you need to buy. In my next college series post, I will share a list of items that you may not think you will need during your college experience but may be so essential. Stay tuned!
1. Make sure everything is financially set. Be aware of how much you owe the school and make sure that you are financially cleared. Don't be afraid to ask your financial aid office questions and don't be afraid to confirm things. If you see a mistake, talk about it as early as possible. Whether it's with your FAFSA, CSS, school scholarships, loans, etc., make sure everything is set in stone. Any mistake in these things can change the course of your graduation, so be brave and speak up. Also, take time to research and apply to outside scholarships. This has so much potential to help you. It's rare that a college gives you all the financial help that you want/expect, so if affording school is something very important to you, you need to take time to apply to scholarships. (More on affording school in a previous post up on this blog. Go check it out!)
2. Look up fun classes to take and clubs to be a part of. Most college websites have their course lists already posted for each major. Plan ahead. If you take ten minutes to look up some courses, look up some potential professors, and have an idea whether or whether not you would enjoy a class, you will potentially be a lot less stressed in picking classes around registration time.
3. Figure out your roommate situation. Some colleges don't allow you to pick, but if your college allows you to, make sure you find them early. Otherwise, you might be at the dorm you don't want to be in and potentially someone that isn't a good match. Some important things to remember: make sure you are clear and direct from the beginning. Your roommate potentially is your first friend but if things are suppressed from the beginning, other issues that arise will be hard to solve.
4. Contact a current student or recent alum. (Even if you don't know them personally!) Almost every college student understands the struggles with registering for classes, adjusting to new independence, housing, and other things that you might be worried about or don't understand. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions! Most people will want to help you. There is a lot that colleges don't tell you. But by reaching out, you could be less stressed and will keep yourself from facing certain issues.
5. Compile a list ahead of time of things you need to buy. In my next college series post, I will share a list of items that you may not think you will need during your college experience but may be so essential. Stay tuned!
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