What to expect and do before your first year of college

The senior spring and summer can be an emotional rollercoaster for students as they find themselves in limbo between high school and the unknowns of college life. Some students are ready to go, and some are more reluctant. We asked our colleges to talk generally about what to expect and what students can do to get ready for college life.

Expect:

• To receive a lot of mail. Read it carefully. You’ve been getting a lot already, but you will start to get information on financial aid, registration, your room assignment, orientation, and moving.
• To feel nervous at times over the summer. You won’t know why, but something will trigger a nervous or edgy feeling. It’s something everyone goes through, so embrace the feeling, tell yourself that things will be fine and let the feeling pass.
• Moving to campus will be crazy. There will be a lot of people. They will all be nervous and they will all have a lot to move in to the residence halls. Just try to be patient.
• Your residence hall to feel smaller when you and your roommate first move in. It will feel larger when you unpack and organize.

Do:

• Take a room tour over the summer and measure your residence hall room.
• Complete any required reading. Start out on the right foot with homework.
• Meet your roommate if you can. If not, contact them to discuss your likes/dislikes and the furniture you both have, want or need.
• Label your CDs and movies before moving in. They can get lost easily.
• Pack at intervals throughout the summer, not the night before you leave.
• Call campus to find out how "move in" works. Should you label your boxes? Can you come at any time or is the day staggered for a reason?
• Know yourself. If you’re nervous about getting lost, come in the summer with a map and class schedule to learn your way around.
• Participate in orientation as much as possible.
• Send e-mails, letters and care packages to your friends at other colleges. Remember, they are going through the same things you are.