Congratulations! You just got into the college of your dreams (or your budget) and have paid your deposit. Now you don’t have to stress anymore—relax, breathe easy, and…oh, wait. There’s still an overwhelming number of things that need to be done before you get to campus. But where do you start? Don't worry. We have a good list of things to start with. You don't have to rush into it too soon because you should take the time to celebrate your accomplishments. But when you're ready, here are your next steps to help you prepare for your first year of college.
Keep up the good work
For starters, keep studying! Colleges really do look at your final transcript and take it into heavy consideration, especially if you were offered any merit-based scholarships. If you let senioritis take over and your grades slip, it could result in a lot of financial stress. So just because you've been accepted into your dream college doesn't mean it's time to slack. Finish up your senior year strong and prove to your new school (and yourself) that you deserve that spot beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Related: Watch this video on how to avoid senioritis
Apply, apply, apply (for scholarships)
Speaking of financial stress…scholarships! Now that you got into your dream school, this opens a whole new category of school-specific scholarships you can apply for. Don’t just limit your search to the college’s website—get in touch with your major’s program director too. They might have information on scholarships you can apply for or put some upperclassman scholarships on your radar for later. Also, keep tabs on scholarship search tools like the one on CollegeXpress.com. Scholarships have deadlines all year, so it’s never too late to get started!
Shop ’til you drop
Now is a great time to start buying off-to-college essentials! In most cases, going to college means living in a dorm, which means you need to stock up on dorm room necessities. This includes bigger things like a mini-fridge and a microwave plus smaller things like a comforter and desk essentials. If you spread out your purchases over the next few months, it saves the stress of one ginormous and expensive shopping spree. Just be sure you check with your roommate and your college’s residence life office before buying big-ticket items—some things may already be supplied or aren’t allowed in your room (which can save you some money).
Related: These are the 10 things you should NOT pack for college
Connect with your roomie
If you don’t already have one, start looking for a roommate now! The earlier you start connecting with your roomie, the better the relationship you’ll have when you finally get to your dorm. Some schools have Facebook groups, while some use a separate system where you set up an account or use a private messaging system organized by the school. When looking for a college roommate, it's super important to be completely honest with yourself. Everyone says they’re super neat, but come on: How often do you really clean your room? How would you feel if your roommate promised they would be clean and then didn't pick up their dirty laundry for three months? Being upfront with those kinds of things will make your future living situation a whole lot better.
Research your new home
Become more familiar with the campus and area you’re going to live in. Look for safe ways to and from the dorms, find recreational activities that are popular in the surrounding towns, and research the weather in all seasons. If you go to a school that normally has hot and humid weather, you don’t want to be stuck with just sweaters when you pack for college.
Related: Learn how to find your place on campus and make the most of college
You got into your dream school. Again, congratulations! It's time to celebrate this major accomplishment with your family and friends, then tackle this to-do list. Getting accepted to college is just the beginning of the incredible journey you're about to embark on. Things may slow down for a little while, but get ready for it to ramp back up. And good luck with your college adventure!
Now the real fun begins! Start getting ready for college with all the advice in our Student Life section.
