The end of summer is coming faster than you think. Are you ready to head off to college in a few weeks? Sure, it's okay to take some time to update your back-to-school wardrobe, try out some new skincare products, visit that fried chicken and waffles restaurant you’ve been dying to try, or whatever your heart desires—but to be truly ready for college in the fall, here are some key things you need to do in the couple weeks leading up to your big move-in day.
1. Complete that summer homework
Some of the courses you’ll be taking in the fall may have some summer homework assigned. Check the syllabus to find out if you have any. This homework could be online multiple-choice questions or some required reading. Take time to do as little as one question or a few pages of reading a day as the school year rapidly approaches, and you’ll have time to enjoy the transition to college and not struggle to submit your online assignments the minute before class starts.
2. Refresh your math skills
The realization that you need to take math (ugh, calculus) in college to graduate may make you want to drop out altogether. However, just taking a few minutes each day at the end of the summer to relearn how to multiply functions together, take the derivative of exponential functions, or even add numbers can make that new Linear Algebra class less dreadful. Use sites like YouTube and Khan Academy to prepare—I really like Khan Academy because it can vigorously prepare you for subjects even above traditional high school levels, such as differential calculus and linear algebra. For STEM majors, Khan Academy even features classes on organic chemistry, electrical engineering, and computer science.
Related: How to Overcome Learning Obstacles in Math Classes
3. Create a professional profile
In college, there is an obscene amount of networking opportunities available to you. Do yourself a favor and get on LinkedIn now before college really gets going. College is sure to help you build connections and you'll need it! At the University of Oregon, there’s a required class for Journalism majors called “Media Professions” in which every week professional journalists come in to talk about their profession and why they love it so much. Seems like a perfect time to pull out those business cards and LinkedIn connection requests, no? Okay, maybe business cards seem a tad presumptuous, but after four or five years at your institution of choice, it would be pretty awful to walk away without any professional opportunities lined up for you.
4. Finalize the details
It can be difficult to motivate yourself to do the boring paperwork of heading to college. Whatever it is you have to file to pass through those gilded gates of post-secondary education, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later. Your college should have some kind of admitted freshman checklist to complete before the school year begins. If you don't already have it, go searching on your college's new student information page on their website. Usually these lists will include responsibilities such as submitting a photo for your ID card, finalizing transcripts, and sending in copies of your immunization records.
While you're planning, figure out your travel plans for move-in day if you’re living on campus. Your college might email your student account with a specific time for you to move into your dorm. I lived a few hours from the University of Oregon, for example, and was slotted to move in around 9:00 am. This meant my family and I had to get up before the sun to move into my dorm. Factoring in things like when exactly you should leave and how bad traffic might be will all make move-in that much easier.
Related: How to Prepare for College Over the Summer
The last summer before college is special. While you need to take care of the four things we talked about here, you should also take advantage of these last few weeks at home and spend time with your family and friends. They're a huge part of how you made it where you are today, so celebrate with them before you head off on your new adventure, fully prepared for greatness.
College is going to be so fun—but also expensive. Did you know you can keep applying for scholarships even after fall semester starts? Use the CollegeXpress Scholarship Search tool to find awards today!
