Going away to college is a very exciting and yet stressful time for most individuals. Many students will be moving away from home for the first time and will need to adjust to a new environment, new friends and a more strenuous workload. It’s bound to be one of the most exciting moments in one’s life and hopefully these tips will make your college experience more enjoyable.
One of the most important areas of college preparation is deciding your place of residence. Possible options include residing in a dorm or sharing an apartment with other school mates. Living at a dorm will give students a more in-depth collegiate experience whereas living off-campus will provide for 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 ads looking for someone to room with.
It’s vital to plan ahead which appliances and furniture items you will need for you new place. You will generally need a refrigerator, microwave, pots and pans and a bed or mattress. The rest depends on your needs and budget. If you have the budget for it, you might consider purchasing a small dining table or a couch and coffee table.
Try to get to know your future roommates beforehand. Perhaps chat a bit on Facebook or talk over the phone in order to get a general feel for the other person. It might be a good 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? Having these guidelines set in place beforehand will help to prevent future arguments and conflicts.
When purchasing text books you can save a substantial amount of money by purchasing books online; this makes it a lot easier to comparison shop and see which retailers offer the lowest prices. It’s a good idea to purchase used books from other students as well. Both of these methods can generally save you a bit of money versus buying a brand new book at the college store.
Visit the school grounds ahead and walk to all of your classes so you know where they are located at 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 make sure to familiarize yourself with the nearest grocery store, bank and gas station. It will be easier to adjust and less stressful if you get used to the campus and local area.
Determine what mode of transportation you will be using to get around town. If you are staying in a dorm this won’t be as much of a necessity, but if you are living off-campus you might want to keep a car. If having your own car isn’t an option, you may opt to bike and use public transportation as needed. In this case, make sure you have a storage area for your bicycle. It’s also a good idea to get familiar with the local bus routes.
Attending college is a very exciting time and it will probably be one of the best years of life. Taking the time to prepare ahead will make the transition to college life much easier.
Article credit – Military College Degree
