Transitioning to College
Add all of the scholarships you won to your resume under the Awards section. Having awards makes you more likely to win other awards. Check for scholarships at college. Tell your advisors and professors that you are looking for scholarships to reduce your loan burden. Some clubs, majors, etc. offer scholarships.
Log in to your college portal at least once a week. Pay close attention to deadlines and required tasks.
Find out how to apply for work-study jobs. Update your resume.
Find the cheapest way to get books. Make sure you have the ISBN number and the correct edition.
Worldcat.com: check out book from library;have books shipped to college library.
Some libraries have books on reserve that you can use for 2 hours in the library.
Ihatetextbooks.com
Amazon
Renting textbooks: campusbookrentals.com
Cheapesttextbooks.com
Buy Used copies: eCampus.com
Use a digital or online copy: ebooks.com
Check with your professor to see if she/he has an extra copy you can borrow.
If you will take out a loan, you will need to do online loan counseling this summer. It is somewhat confusing. You will have to estimate what you will make when you graduate ($40,000 is a safe amount to use) and you will need to use the exact numbers on your financial aid award, even if you disagree with them.
Read this New York Times article with current college students’ advice for new college students. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/education/edlife/advice-for-new-students-from-those-who-know-old-students.html
You will probably need extra-long twin sheets for you dorm bed. Check with your college.
Open a credit union or bank account if you do not yet have one. Credit unions are usually cheaper (free) and have no fees. Debit cards are helpful, but be careful not to withdraw money you don’t have; there is a big fee for that. Credit cards can be dangerous unless you are a very disciplined person. They do help you build a credit history. If you can buy one small thing a month and pay the bill off before it is due. Late payments are very expensive. If you think you might use a credit card to buy items you can’t afford, please do not get one. Credit card debt is expensive and not fun. Here is a cool website: https://moneysmarts.iu.edu/get-money-smart/index.html
Get your vaccinations! Go to your doctor and get vaccinations required by your college.
Have fun exploring your college’s website. Find out about all the cool programs you might like, hidden away on a web page.
Check out professor reviews on Rate my Professor.
Even if you’re going to a college where you know someone, room with a stranger. You don’t want to lose a friend, just because you are neat and they are messy or you have different study habits.
Practice doing laundry, if you don’t do it regularly.
Add all of the scholarships you won to your resume under the Awards section. Having awards makes you more likely to win other awards. Check for scholarships at college. Tell your advisors and professors that you are looking for scholarships to reduce your loan burden. Some clubs, majors, etc. offer scholarships.
Log in to your college portal at least once a week. Pay close attention to deadlines and required tasks.
Find out how to apply for work-study jobs. Update your resume.
Find the cheapest way to get books. Make sure you have the ISBN number and the correct edition.
Worldcat.com: check out book from library;have books shipped to college library.
Some libraries have books on reserve that you can use for 2 hours in the library.
Ihatetextbooks.com
Amazon
Renting textbooks: campusbookrentals.com
Cheapesttextbooks.com
Buy Used copies: eCampus.com
Use a digital or online copy: ebooks.com
Check with your professor to see if she/he has an extra copy you can borrow.
If you will take out a loan, you will need to do online loan counseling this summer. It is somewhat confusing. You will have to estimate what you will make when you graduate ($40,000 is a safe amount to use) and you will need to use the exact numbers on your financial aid award, even if you disagree with them.
Read this New York Times article with current college students’ advice for new college students. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/education/edlife/advice-for-new-students-from-those-who-know-old-students.html
You will probably need extra-long twin sheets for you dorm bed. Check with your college.
Open a credit union or bank account if you do not yet have one. Credit unions are usually cheaper (free) and have no fees. Debit cards are helpful, but be careful not to withdraw money you don’t have; there is a big fee for that. Credit cards can be dangerous unless you are a very disciplined person. They do help you build a credit history. If you can buy one small thing a month and pay the bill off before it is due. Late payments are very expensive. If you think you might use a credit card to buy items you can’t afford, please do not get one. Credit card debt is expensive and not fun. Here is a cool website: https://moneysmarts.iu.edu/get-money-smart/index.html
Get your vaccinations! Go to your doctor and get vaccinations required by your college.
Have fun exploring your college’s website. Find out about all the cool programs you might like, hidden away on a web page.
Check out professor reviews on Rate my Professor.
Even if you’re going to a college where you know someone, room with a stranger. You don’t want to lose a friend, just because you are neat and they are messy or you have different study habits.
Practice doing laundry, if you don’t do it regularly.
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