What to Do During the Summer Before College
Well, here it is: the last summer before you start college. (How did the time go so fast?!) Some teenagers choose to work full-time during the summer so they have a little extra cash on hand in the hall. Some choose to party and hang out with their friends during July and August. But what should a college-bound kid do before taking the leap?
Photo by ClickFlashPhotos.
Here are a couple helpful tips.
- Have a part-time job. Yes, you’ll need money in college. (Believe me. The only thing you will run out of faster than cash is clean laundry.) I recommend a part-time job because it helps you earn money while still having time to…
- Hang out with your friends and family. You won’t know how much you’re going to miss them until you’ve been in college for 2+ weeks. Plan something fun and different- a camping trip, a road trip or try surfing or take a karate class.
- Have some alone time. If you’ve never been independent before, this might be the time to learn the basics. You won’t always have someone to hang out with at college (college kids are busy!), especially for the first little while.
- Work on your hobbies. Like I said, college students are very busy so work on your hobbies while you still have the time. (It’s been ages since I’ve had time to scrapbook or paint…)
- Read. Again- there’s a good chance you won’t have time to read when you’re in college. Your eyes will ache from hours of Facebook stalking and studying, so the last think you’ll want to do is read.
- Get a head start on college. Contact a student who goes there and ask any remaining questions you might have about the campus or on-campus housing. Contact your future professors with any course questions you might have. Find out what books you need and buy them (find cheap college textbooks online).
- Check the paperwork. Make sure your student loan is in order and you have the papers when you go to school. Make sure you have your housing forms in order and make sure you’re signed up for the classes you’re supposed to be in.
- Learn how to cook a few simple meals so you’re not completely hopeless and dependent on take-out while living in a dorm without Mom. (YumYum.com has a section designed specifically for college students.)
- Contact your future roommate. This is especially important if you’re moving in with someone you don’t know. Go over what each of you is bringing to the dorm or apartment. You really don’t need two toasters, two shower curtains and two bath mats. Talk about quiet times, what kind of music you’ll be listening to and any food allergies you might have.
- Start packing earlier, rather than later. You’ll thank yourself later. Read this to find out what to bring to college on what you should bring with you (and this one on what not to bring to college). And remember- they have stores there too!
