This time of year my mailbox gets flooded with graduation announcements and party invitations. In youth ministry, I have the privilege of walking with so many young people on their high school journeys and then sending them off to the next phase of their lives. At graduation, the prospect of heading off to college seems glamorous and surreal, but sometimes the transition into college life can be quite stressful for young adults.
Busted Halo has a book titled The Freshman Survival Guide that gives some very practical and uesful tips for high school graduates on how to navigate the summer between high school and college. You can read their 7 tips below or check out their full article. Also, don't forget to get connected with the Catholic Student Center or Newman Center on your college campus. If you need help finding it, try this website that can help you search for Catholic Masses and Campus Ministry at your college.
1. Take Care of Your Relationships --(See chapter 1, p. 5)
2. Fight Procrastination — Whether it’s shopping for dorm supplies or getting your freshman reading done, make yourself do one thing each day to get ready to go. Another good approach is to dedicate a day each week over the summer to getting college stuff done. Tell yourself, “Thursdays will be my college prep days,” so it doesn’t all mount up for the last weekend before you leave. You’ll want to save that time for friends and family. (See chapter 12, p. 121)
3. Talk to the Roommates — sooner rather than later about who is bringing what to avoid duplicates. Check your college’s rules to see which appliances are allowed (usually you can have a mini-fridge but not a toaster oven). Check out ourpacking list!
4. Save your $$$ – Don’t blow it all on college supplies before you leave. (See #3.) You may be surprised at how little you’ll need. It’s nice to have posters for your dorm room and that thing that hangs over the door to hold your shoes but it’ll be nicer still to have a few bucks in your account the last couple weeks of the semester.
5. Talk to your Parents — They may make you crazy but let them give you advice. It’ll make them feel better and they may actually have some helpful wisdom to share. Remember you’re probably going to need them in the months to come and the better your relationship is now the easier it will be to ask for help later. Try to be patient with them and keep in mind that this is a big transition for them too.
6. Seek out Mentors — Talk to friends who just finished freshman or sophomore year at college and ask them for their best advice. They’re fresh from the fight and can give you the clearest picture of what to expect. Check out the Interactive RA for advice from RA’s around the country.
7. Know Where to Find Help on your new campus — wander the website for your school. You know your own struggles best so whether its extra academic help at the writing lab, figuring out where the counseling center is and how to get an appointment, or knowing where the gym is, give yourself a head start. (See chapter 18, p. 180)
Busted Halo has a book titled The Freshman Survival Guide that gives some very practical and uesful tips for high school graduates on how to navigate the summer between high school and college. You can read their 7 tips below or check out their full article. Also, don't forget to get connected with the Catholic Student Center or Newman Center on your college campus. If you need help finding it, try this website that can help you search for Catholic Masses and Campus Ministry at your college.
1. Take Care of Your Relationships --(See chapter 1, p. 5)
2. Fight Procrastination — Whether it’s shopping for dorm supplies or getting your freshman reading done, make yourself do one thing each day to get ready to go. Another good approach is to dedicate a day each week over the summer to getting college stuff done. Tell yourself, “Thursdays will be my college prep days,” so it doesn’t all mount up for the last weekend before you leave. You’ll want to save that time for friends and family. (See chapter 12, p. 121)
3. Talk to the Roommates — sooner rather than later about who is bringing what to avoid duplicates. Check your college’s rules to see which appliances are allowed (usually you can have a mini-fridge but not a toaster oven). Check out ourpacking list!
4. Save your $$$ – Don’t blow it all on college supplies before you leave. (See #3.) You may be surprised at how little you’ll need. It’s nice to have posters for your dorm room and that thing that hangs over the door to hold your shoes but it’ll be nicer still to have a few bucks in your account the last couple weeks of the semester.
5. Talk to your Parents — They may make you crazy but let them give you advice. It’ll make them feel better and they may actually have some helpful wisdom to share. Remember you’re probably going to need them in the months to come and the better your relationship is now the easier it will be to ask for help later. Try to be patient with them and keep in mind that this is a big transition for them too.
6. Seek out Mentors — Talk to friends who just finished freshman or sophomore year at college and ask them for their best advice. They’re fresh from the fight and can give you the clearest picture of what to expect. Check out the Interactive RA for advice from RA’s around the country.
7. Know Where to Find Help on your new campus — wander the website for your school. You know your own struggles best so whether its extra academic help at the writing lab, figuring out where the counseling center is and how to get an appointment, or knowing where the gym is, give yourself a head start. (See chapter 18, p. 180)
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