10 Activities for the Summer Before College

June 27, 2013 by YouVisit

You know the drill—“Mom, I’m bored.” Those words will most surely come out of your mouth while you await your first day of college. Unfortunately, you can’t afford to be bored. There is much to do before you begin your new life. Take advantage of the time and you will arrive on campus prepared to face the next four years. YouVisit has 10 tips for you:

1. Get a Summer Job

In just a few short months you will need some serious cash. There are all kinds of fees and expenses that go along with a college experience. If you decide not to work your first semester of college (many freshmen prefer to focus on academics), the money you earn during the summer months will provide you with much-needed cash during those first few months.

2. Read

High school is over, but that doesn’t mean you can lie around for hours glued the television or playing video games. The more you keep your mind exercised and active (especially by reading) the better prepared you will be when you face the regimented reading requirements at college. Freshmen always have more reading than other classes because they are fulfilling the general requirements. If you can get ahold of the reading assignments in advance (you can email your professors), you will be one step ahead when you begin in the fall.

3. Spend Time With Your Family

Yes. Believe it or not you will miss them when you are gone. Those last few months of family time will help you adjust to the homesickness every freshman feels and make you better prepared to go off on your own. It will also help prepare your parents to adjust to having you gone.

4. Have Fun With Your Friends

Most college students will be leaving behind their high school friends. Use the summer to plan some fun activities together: picnics, movie nights, beach bonfires and even concerts. Having a network of friends that you can stay in touch with when you are gone will help with the transition.

5. Discuss Finances With Your Parents

Before you leave, understand your financial responsibilities regarding your education. Will you be paying for incidentals? Will your parents give you an allowance while you are there? Will you be expected to participate in work study to help defray some of the tuition costs?

6. Dot Your i’s and Cross Your t’s

Don’t forget to verify that your college has received all required documents before you arrive on campus. Most colleges require certain immunizations: hepatitis, measles, meningitis, etc. Make sure you have completed all your financial documents as well: student loan applications, tuition payment arrangements, and scholarship information.

7. Contact Your Future roommate

Once you have your roommate assignment, make contact. You can do that on Facebook or by phone or email. Discuss what items you will be bringing and take some time to talk about your living expectations: such as resolving conflicts, organization and cleanliness, and visitor guidelines. Stay in touch over the summer because that person will be your first friend at college.

8. Make a List of Dorm essentials

Remember that you will be living in a shoebox. You can’t bring your entire room with you to college. Only take essential items and don’t overpack clothes, shoes, stuffed animals, and other items that will just take up space. Check out Bed, Bath and Beyond’s website for a good dorm essential list. You will be surprised what you need and what you might have forgotten.

9. Attend Freshman Orientation

All colleges provide orientation opportunities for their incoming freshman class. Don’t skip this event. It will help you assimilate into campus life, give you an opportunity to make friends, and help with any campus-wide programs you need to register for. You will also be able to register for fall classes and be assigned an academic advisor to help you with your degree plan. Many colleges also offer parent orientation as well—urge your parents to attend.

10. Look for Textbook Bargains

Once you have your class schedule and know the required course textbooks, start searching online for bargains. Never pay full price for a textbook if you can help it. There are sites that give you so many other options: renting, buying used, sharing, and even digital ebooks.

Use your summer time wisely and you will enter college prepared to face your first college semester confident and excited to begin this new phase in your life.

Summer Events V

Marist College – Summer Pre-College www.marist.edu/precollege 3 college credits, 2 week courses, 1 amazing experience

BASEcamp – Bachman Academy Summer Endeavor summer camp for students with learning differences bachmansummer.org

Centenary College Summer Scholars – centenarysummerscholars.org2015

Vermont Summer Academy – Green Mountain College vermontsummeracademy.org

campusNYC – summer culinary arts program http://campusnyc.org/

Summer at St. Andrews U – academiccampNC.org

New York Film Academy 2015 Hands-On Intensive Summer Camps for Film and Acting www.nyfa.edu

The National Hispanic Institute (NHI) will conduct an 
Information Session at Caldwell University on Thursday, May 28th from 6:30pm – 7:30pm. 

NHI offers a series of summer leadership programs that aid a student’s development in various skills, capacities and knowledge in communication, governance, higher education and self-analysis. 2015 locations include Villanova and the University of Rochester.

Interested 9th 10th and 11 grade students should see their guidance counselor for more information.

Jaena-Mae Caguiat  - Huffington Post Student, San Diego State University

My Advice for Incoming Freshman 

Posted: 04/06/2015 11:58 am EDT Updated: 04/06/2015 11:59 am EDT

Just as second semester started, the social media notifications of college acceptance letters come pouring in for high school seniors. Many of you have already chosen what school you'll be attending in the fall, and congratulations to those that were accepted and have chosen their absolute dream school.

The rest of you are quietly waiting for more huge envelopes to show up on your kitchen counter, giving you more options to decide from. Don't lose hope when you see a dainty, regular sized envelope from a college, or maybe even your dream college. Acceptance or rejection does not measure your self-worth.

Once you do choose a college, I hope you take these ten pieces of advice into consideration as you prepare for what's suppose to be the best four years of your life:

1. Be open to meeting all different types of people! 

You're going to find yourself in one huge sea full of different religions, political views, lifestyles, beliefs and races. They're all there for the same reasons you are. You might even meet your new BFFL.

2. Consider getting involved in extracurricular activities.

It's the quickest way to make friends. Find others who share your interests, and keep you socially active. It can also result in potential networking with alumni.

3. Find and get a job. 

Scholarships, loans and your parents' money are helpful for paying for tuition, books, and your rent. If you're lucky, they could possibly even go towards buying food. But, let's be realistic here, there's nothing like spending your hard-earned money. You can pay for your own Netflix account, buy tickets to that concert you've been dying to go to and even pay for your date's dinner. Also remember that a job is a job, no matter what it is.

4. Actively participate in class. 

This isn't high school anymore. Classes are definitely not free, and there isn't a social hierarchy of "nerd to popular." You are paying to be taught by your professor, so don't be afraid to ask questions or engage in your interactive classes. Even take advantage of office and tutoring hours. Do whatever it takes to make the most of your money, because there's no excuse to complain about not understanding a concept if you don't ask for help.

5. Use a professor rating service before registering! 

You don't want to take a class where you can't comprehend anything your professor is teaching. Use these services to find out from previous students whether or not you have to buy your book, how easy the class is, what to expect and how well the professors are at their jobs.

6. It's okay to find yourself not in love with the major you first chose. 

When you're studying at two in the morning and half asleep, your tired mind will constantly ask you what you're going to do with your major. If you don't want to do it anymore, find a new major.

7. Sign up for classes that interest you. 

As stated before, you are paying for your classes, so why not take cool ones? You can take a class on bowling, creative writing, Greek mythology and even Harry Potter. I came in as just a journalism major, and after taking random classes, I'm deciding on double majoring in English and minoring in theatre. This relates to #5, where one interesting class might cause you to re-declare your major.

*Please note that Harry Potter classes will NOT teach you actual magic.*

8. Take advantage of your school's free health services.

You don't need to call your mom and ask her to take care of you just because you get sick. You're an adult, go visit your school's FREE health services. They're there to assist you in any medical need. I mean, who doesn't love free stuff?