How to Prepare for College

It's very exciting to go to college for the first time, but it can also be a time filled with stress and anxiety. Many students will be residing away from their parents for the first time and will need to adapt to a new environment, new classmates and much more homework. It's bound to be one of the most exciting moments in one's life, and hopefully, these tips will make your first days a bit easier.

The first thing you will have to consider is where you will be living. Obvious choices include residing in a dorm or sharing an apartment with other schoolmates. Living in a dorm will allow students to socialize more with peers and staff, whereas living off-campus will provide more independence. You can find housing in the area by browsing the newspaper and online directories. Often there will be a bulletin board on campus where students can post announcements looking for someone to live with.

Plan what type of furniture and household appliances you may need. You will need a small fridge, freezer, microwave, cookware, and a bed or mattress. The rest depends on your needs and budget. If your finances allow for it, you might consider purchasing a small dining table or perhaps a couch and side table.

Talk to your future roommates in advance. Perhaps chat on Facebook or have a phone conversation to get a general feel for the other person. It is a great idea to also discuss some ground rules, for example, how the chores will be divided up and if the cost of groceries will be shared or not. Who will be in charge of paying the utilities? Talking things over will help you get to know one another and set guidelines for what is acceptable or not.

When it comes to school books, you can save a substantial amount of money by purchasing books online; this makes it much easier to compare and see which vendors offer the most competitive prices. It's a brilliant idea to buy used books from other students. Both of these methods are more cost-effective instead than purchasing brand new books

Decide if you will need a car or if you'll be using a bike or scooter taking the bus or walking. If you live in a dorm, this won't be as much of an issue, but if you live off-campus, you might want to keep a car. If having your car isn't an option, you may opt to bike and use public transportation as needed. In this case, make sure you have a place to keep your bike at.

Please take a tour of the school grounds ahead of time and walk to all of your classes, so you know where they are located before the first day of school. This will let you become accustomed to the campus and have a general idea of where everything is located at. Also, familiarize yourself with the nearest grocery store, bank, and gas station. Getting used to the locations of your classes and the local area will make adjusting easier.

Going to college for the first time doesn't have to be super stressful and challenging. Taking the time to prepare ahead will make the transition to college life much easier.