With college around the corner, preparation is key to having a successful year. From school supplies to mental prep, there’s a variety of ways that you can best prepare for college, regardless of what year you’re entering.
Freshman Year
Freshman year of college is a nerve-racking, life-changing year.
Gone are your high school days of pre-determined schedules and mandated education. Preparing for your freshman year is vital to starting off college on the right foot.Chances are, your college will have you attend their orientation, which is usually a few days of activities and seminars to welcome you to campus and connect you with other freshman. Even if organized events are not your scene, take advantage of this opportunity to meet fellow incoming freshmen and transfer students. Most likely, they’ll be sharing the same nervousness and excitement that you’re experiencing.
Building friendships is a great way to ease your transition into college and enjoy your time there. Be open to new experiences, cultures and people to give yourself a full education, one that extends past the classroom.
Sophomore Year
With one year of college under your belt, you can kiss all of the frosh and fresh-meat jokes goodbye. Sophomore year is typically when you begin taking your lower division requirements for your major, or when you declare your major.
Beginning the process of deciding your major or starting your major classes can bring on a whole new level of both excitement and stress. If you’re having trouble picking your major, think back to your favorite general ed classes you’ve already taken.
Were you loving every day in Biology or still remembering lessons from History? Schedule an appointment with your campus’s Career Center or your perspective school’s (Humanities, Engineering, etc.) academic counselors to give you some insight on which major or program may be right for you.Even if you are already dead set and in love with your major, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor at the beginning of the year to make sure that you’re on track with your classes. From there, join some clubs that you’re interested in to help make valuable connections with like-minded individuals.
Junior Year
You’re already halfway done with college and have completed some lower division classes for your major. With general education classes taking up less of your time, you can start focusing more on crossing off those major requirement classes.
Now’s the time to start looking into internships in your field, volunteer experience and leadership roles in your clubs and student organizations. Start building your resume this year in order to ease the transition from college to the workplace.
Utilize your school’s Career Center or check out Internships.com for local opportunities to build your resume and gain valuable experience. Even volunteer experience at local charities can give you an edge on your resume.
Senior Year
Just like your freshman year, your senior year is a significant time in your life. With most of your classes out of the way, you typically get to spend the majority of your time completing your upper division major requirements. Now’s the time to start focusing on creating a smooth transition from college to workplace.
Continue interning and building your resume. Start making appointments with your professors and gain their advice on beginning your career; this helps to develop professional and academic relationships that will extend past graduation. Ask your favorite professors to write a recommendation letter for you before you graduate. Your last year in college should also include some time enjoying the events and activities that happen on campus. Grab your friends and head to some college events, especially career fairs. You’ll be grateful to make memories and lifelong friends.
No matter which year you’re about to enter, you can start preparing yourself for a successful one. Even if you’re a freshman just about to start or a senior moments away from graduation, there are tons of ways to make this year your best one yet.
(Feature Photo via We Heart It)