If you’re currently a senior in high school you have probably spent the last few months worrying constantly about college decisions. You might have anxiously awaited that “Decision Notification” email or that “You’re The One That We Want!” flyer in your mailbox, hoping that your top choice school wants you. By now you’ve heard from all of your schools and are probably just deciding which one has made you the best offer and at which one you will be the happiest. If you’re like me, you might have already settled on a school and put down your enrollment deposit, confirming your commitment to the school. If that’s the case, these are some things I’ve discovered to be important to do once you have committed to a school.
1. Celebrate.
You’ve made a big decision and that’s worth celebrating. Take some time to celebrate and commemorate the fact that your hard work, throughout high school, has paid off and that you’ll be off, in just a few months, to begin a new chapter of your life.
2. Find Your Graduating Class On Social Media
The vast majority of colleges have an official Facebook page for the year you will be graduating in. On this page you can find friends, a possible roommate and people who are just as nervous as you about what is to come. This is a great way to get to know your fellow students and prepare for the coming years.
3. Notify The Other Schools You Got Into
One important step that most people forget to do (I didn’t even realize you had to do this until recently) is to let the other schools you got into know will not be attending. It is crucial that you do this as soon as you can because it frees up space for them to offer your place to people on the waiting list, and if you received financial aid/scholarships from them, it allows them to give that money to another student who needs it.
4. Set Up Your Account With Your School
Once confirmed, your school will have you sign up for an email with the which is where most of your correspondence in the coming months, and after, will go through. Through here you will be notified about what you have to do to prepare for the fall semester; such as sending in your medical forms, singing the housing license, and even signing up for orientation.
5. Enjoy Your Summer
For the vast majority of us, college is anticipated to be far more fun and enjoyable than high school, but it will also be stressful. Having so much freedom to do what you want and make your own choices can be liberating, but it can also be hard. Make sure you enjoy the time you have off after graduation before moving into your dorm at college. Make memories with your friends from high school, hang out with your family, even pet your dog more before you have to be separated from them for longer than you are probably used to.
The transition from high school to college can be tough, but starting the process earlier can save you a lot of grief. Good luck to everyone in the final months of high school and I wish you all the best in college and after!
