by Warren O. Brennan

Created on: July 17, 2010

Preparing yourself prior to beginning college will go a long to enhancing your experience when actually there. This is a whole new world for most; away from home, pressure to make new friends, and an increase level of academic responsibilities. Taking time in the summer before classes start to become more aware of what to expect can go along way.

First and foremost, try and make some contacts. With social networking as prevalent as it is today, it is easy to find other students who will be in your grade level at your new school. It is also likely that a common online group has been made for students to interact before the semester begins. Utilize these tools. Introduce yourself to your classmates and share your thoughts and concerns.

This can also apply to professors or heads of clubs you are considering joining. Most schools post the emails of staff and student leaders on their website. These individuals will be impressed with a brief message expressing your interest in meeting them and joining their class or club.

Next, get to know the area around your school a little more. If you are going to school close to home then this is already taken care of for you. However, if you are going away do some online research on the new area you will be living. Know where the local super markets are, banks (you’ll have to join one if your current bank does not have a branch by your school), fun places for the weekend, and areas you should avoid because of high crime rates.

If you can get your book list before hand for the classes you will be taking, do so. Textbooks are often cheaper online than in the college bookstore so if you can spend the month before classes begin finding the best deals you can benefit yourself financially.

Lastly, use the summer to get in the habit of reading. College level classes depend on absorbing large amount of information in relatively short amounts of time. It is possible that you took your senior year of high school rather lax and ignored many of your reading assignments. You will have to compensate for this. If you show up for the first day of classes not reading a full book for more than a year, you are in trouble. You don’t have to read anything specific (although the number of books written for incoming college students are endless) just something to get your mind in gear.

Good luck!

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