How To Prepare For College In 7 Easy Steps

Whether you’re a high school student or a working adult, the thought of going to college can be both a nerve-wracking and overwhelming idea. Your college experience is something that will pave the way to your future, and is not something to be taken lightly. There is also a large transition from high school to college that can take some getting used to. Fortunately, with the right planning, hard work and determination, you can overcome these obstacles and realize the college experience that you always wanted. Here are seven easy steps to show you how to prepare for college, so that you can pave the way to a brighter future.

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1. Read During The Summer

Start off by reading any prescribed textbooks, and ensure that you read over the course material supplied to you by your professors. If you don’t have a list of prescribed texts, then read other books in order to get yourself acclimatized to the reading load. You should first focus on finding books that are recommended for students who are taking your college major — this will help you to build your knowledge within your field of study.

Remember to also read through any instructions supplied by lecturers, course outlines, and general information brochures about the university. This will help you to learn more about the classes you will be taking as well as the university campus.

It will also be necessary to read through your program requirements. Make sure you understand what grades you need to obtain in order to pass your courses, as well as how many credits you will need to obtain in order to get your degree.

Fortunately, most colleges will have this information available from their websites.

Finally, you will need to put some thought into the career options that your chosen major will provide you with. Ensure that these options are in line with your career goals, and that you are making the right choice by selecting this degree.

2. Organize Your School Supplies

Firstly, make sure that you have received a prescribed book list for each class that you are taking. Check each list thoroughly, and organize this book list into a consolidated shopping list — this will help you make sure that you don’t miss any of the books out while textbook shopping.

Before you can begin purchasing your textbooks, find out where to purchase them. While many books may be purchased online, your college may also have a campus bookstore that supplies what you are looking for. It is always a good idea to compare the prices of each store that supplies the book, as well as to consider purchasing a second-hand book from someone who has previously completed the course. This strategy can save you a lot of money.

Once you have made your purchases, review your book list once again to ensure that you have bought everything that is required.

It’s also important to make a list of the stationery that you may need, such as pens, notebooks and folders, and follow this same process.

3. Develop a Schedule

As you begin your college classes, time management becomes a key skill to learn. This is because college courses include a number of classes, and you will have to remember to complete all of your tests and assignments for each class. On top of that, you will need to remember to submit all of your tasks before their deadlines.

To ensure that you allocate sufficient time to each task, it is important that you make a work schedule. Before starting, make sure that you have a planner, calendar, or any other place where you can write down your to-do list.

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Firstly, you will need to look at your class schedule. Write down every class that you have each day, and make sure that you include their times. You should make a note of when you have breaks and when your college days start and end, as this information will help you to decide when to study for tests and complete assignments.

The next step is to find out the due dates for all of your assignments, tests, presentations, and final exams. Jot these down in your planner, so that you can determine when to start preparing for each task.

While your academics are a priority, don’t forget to give yourself some free time to meet with friends, exercise, and relax. It is important to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

4. Sort Out Your Living Situation

Familiarize yourself with the area in which you will be living during your studies. Take note of the locations of the nearest laundromats, supermarkets, hospitals, and other facilities you may need.

Find out everything you need to know about your accommodation, such as how and when to move in, especially if you are living in accommodation provided by the university.

By enrolling in an online college such as University of the People, you won’t have to worry about getting new accommodation as all classes are completely online. In this case, you can kick back and skip this step, knowing you can complete your degree from the comfort of your own home.

5. Nail Down The Logistics

Purchase any household supplies you may need, such as silverware and bedding. If you need your laptop or any other electronic device for your studies, ensure you remember to bring it with you. Once you’ve done this, arrange your clothes and pack your bags!

Before leaving for college, you should think about setting yourself a student budget. Determine how much it will cost to finance your studies, and calculate how much money you expect to spend on rent, bills, food, and other expenses.

If you find yourself in need of money, then consider taking on a part-time job. There are students who are eligible to participate in federal work-study programs, and if you are one of these students, this may be an option worth considering.

If you find that your budget is too tight for you to live comfortably, then find out more about scholarships offered by your college as well as financial aid.

Fortunately, there is another option if you find that your budget is not large enough to afford an expensive on-campus university. This would be to consider enrolling in University of the People- a college that provides a tuition-free education to its students worldwide. Should you still have trouble paying for the college application fee or assessment fees, University of the People provides many scholarship options as well.

6. Get Used to The University Environment

Consider taking a look around your university campus before classes start. This will allow you the chance to learn where everything is. Pay extra attention to where your classes are located so you don’t get lost on the first day!

Get involved in extracurricular activities on campus, as this will allow you to meet other students and get used to the college social life. If your college provides orientation activities, make sure you get involved. This is an easy way to meet other new people and get adjusted to the college experience.

The night before your first class, check your email inbox in case you receive any important notifications regarding one of your classes. Set an alarm so that you wake up on time on the morning of your first class, and make sure that you dress for success — it’s always helpful to make a great first impression. Remember to take notes in class so that you can keep up with the pace!

7. Polish Soft Skills and Communication Skills

While academics are important, it is equally necessary for college students to acquire soft skills. This is because employers are looking for employees with abilities such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, time management, teamwork, adaptability, and conflict resolution.

While soft skills can be learned in the classroom, they are often improved by practising them in everyday life. You can improve your soft skills by taking up extracurricular activities such as theatre and public speaking or signing up for a communication workshop.

These skills can also be learned by getting a student job, volunteering, or taking part in an internship program.

Now that you have read through our helpful step-by-step guide, it’s time to put your thoughts into action, and prepare yourself for a unique and thrilling college experience!