Are You Ready For College?

Are you ready for college? If you haven’t ticked these items off your to do list, the answer is probably no.

1. Save money, plan a budget, and get financial aid straightened out. 

I’m sure you’ve heard the trope of the “poor college student,” but if you’re able, it’s a great idea to work and save as much money as you can before you leave for school. To avoid bank account panic later on, you should also get financial aid straightened out and set up a budget for yourself before you go. For some tips on budgeting as a student, click here.

2. Practice skills like doing laundry and cooking. 

It’s likely you’re about to be on your own for the first time in your life, and that means doing your own laundry, and probably cooking as well. You may not always want to go to the dining hall, so practicing cooking a few simple but healthy meals will really come in handy. Learning to do laundry is a must. It isn’t difficult, but don’t be afraid to ask a parent to go over the process with you a couple of times until you’ve got the hang of it.

3. Get in touch with your future roommate. 

Going away to college almost always means roommates. Getting in touch with them before you move in together will make the process go much more smoothly. You can get to know each other a little, figure out who is bringing what, and even set a few ground rules for the room. For some tips on contacting your roommate for the first time, click here.

4. Plan for protecting your valuables. 

First off, don’t forget the basics: make sure the windows and doors in your room are locked before you leave, no matter how long you will be gone. If you have a car on campus, lock it and check on it frequently, especially if you haven’t been driving it much. It’s also a great idea to get locking/tracking systems installed on your electronics (laptop, phone, etc.), and make sure you always watch your stuff when out and about on campus.

5. Spend time with friends and family, and make plans to keep in touch. 

The times that you and your high school friends are all together are about to become a lot less frequent. Use the time before everyone heads out to spend as much time hanging out as you can, but don’t forget your family! They will want to spend time with you, too. It’s a good idea to make plans for keeping in touch with those important to you, and then following through on them. For more tips on keeping in touch, click here and here.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services