How to Make the Transition to College

Here are concrete suggestions of things you can do over the summer to prepare yourself for college.
Q
What can I do to help make the transition from high school to college easier?
A
There are three main things you can do over the summer to help prepare for college. One is to read one or more of the books on the first year of college and getting ready for freshman year. Two, many colleges will offer study courses or student-success courses your first semester or during summer orientation. I highly recommend you take a course like this. Third, do an honest self-appraisal of your strengths, weaknesses, and goals for your first year of college. What areas do you think you might struggle with? What are your stressors? How might you deal with those stressful times? Thinking these things through and coming up with a game plan for yourself is one of the best ways to manage your future. There will be many temptations in college which can get you off course, but if you keep true to the golden rule of all things in moderation, you'll make life as easy as possible.
Carol Carter is the author of many books on college and career planning. She is the cofounder of Lifeskills, Inc., a nonprofit organization that encourages high-school students to explore their goals, career options, and the real world through part-time work and internships. She also gives workshops around the country on career exploration and other issues directly related to helping students succeed in college, career, and life.

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