How to Prepare for College

Starting your college career is an exciting (and daunting) milestone. But preparing for college goes far beyond registering for classes and buying a few textbooks. Below are a few things your RA probably hasn’t mentioned but are definitely important to know before settling into your dorm.

How to handle a medical emergency 

Whether injury or illness, prepare yourself for the unexpected. Below are a few steps you can take to do so:

Microwaveable meals

Sure, pizza and the all-you-can-eat cafeteria exist, but your wallet and waistline will both benefit from having a few healthier options. Not to mention the convenience of cooking a meal right in your dorm room when you’re strapped for time. Check out our tool that has two recipes for each meal (all with 7 ingredients or less!).

Laundry fundamentals

Perhaps you’ve been blessed and not had to do your laundry until now. Unfortunately, those days are over. If you’re taking on laundry responsibilities for the first time, here’s a quick guide to washing most of your stuff. Aim to do laundry every week to 10 days to keep it from overwhelming you. This should include your sheets too!

Also, be courteous to your neighbors and use your phone’s timer as a reminder to switch your laundry over and retrieve it from the dryer. You’ll learn quickly that failure to keep up may lead to some pretty intense passive aggressive behavior.

How credit and debit cards differ (and which one you have)

Debit cards and credit cards are very different. For example, you can easily overdraft using a debit card. And you can wrack up a ton of super expensive debt on a credit card. Know what you have, how it works and how to use it responsibly. A few bad decisions in college could cost you a lot of time and money in the future.

Time management

Your schedule as a college student may be the most complicated schedule you ever have. Classes, homework, job, clubs, social events, meals, working out – the list is endless. And unlike when you were in high school, all of the parties involved (teachers, bosses, coaches, friends) have no idea what commitments you have and when.

Check out this tool for tips and tricks to manage it all (click on the image for a larger version). Not every method works for every person. Pick one or two that interest you and trial and error from there.

How to meet new people

Even if you know other students before arriving, meeting new people is one of the greatest (and most intimidating) aspects of your collegiate experience. There are two different types of relationships you’ll be building over the next few years:

Social

From intramural athletics to Greek life, there are plenty of opportunities to make new friends. But you’ll have to get out of your comfort zone to find them. It’s okay (encouraged really!) to go to an introductory meeting or event alone. These types of events are especially friendly and welcoming. Smile, ask questions and be open-minded. The worst-case scenario is you decide it’s not a fit for you but you got a meal/handout anyway (there’s almost always a slice of pizza or a t-shirt to entice you).

Professional 

The relationship you have with your college professors is different from the one you had with high school teachers. You professors can be a wealth of information about the opportunities (and limits) of their field and will be able to answer your questions, whether related to what they cover in class or not.

You may also want to look into professional organizations and clubs that relate to what you are studying. These groups often provide a variety of resources, events and networking opportunities that can offer you the experiences, skills and confidence to successfully start your career.

College is life-changing, especially that first semester. Arm yourself with the skills and determination to make the most out of the experience as soon as you arrive. Good luck!

If you liked this article you may also like:

Student Loan Basics