What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before College

Do most parents do a good job showing their children how to prepare for college? Chances are, if parents never attended college, they may not have the understanding needed to teach their kids.

College and career readiness programs are growing. They are a great way to prepare students for college. Some programs provide an exceptional guide for a college freshman.

Still, it may not contain the gems that address unforeseen moments in a college freshman's life.

We prepared this list in hopes of getting teens prepared for college life. There will be good days and not-so-good days. The biggest goal is not to give up on your dreams for a better life.

Buckle up! We're about to explore what most people wish they knew before going to college.

How to Prepare for College?

If you awaken on the first day of your senior year in high school and decide you want to go to college, you're already behind. The first step to attending college is having the money to go.

As soon as you begin to dream about your future, start researching what it will take to reach the goal. If college is a requirement, start talking to your parents about a college fund and possible scholarships.

The average college student's federal student loan debt is $37,338. Many people leave school with debt and never earn a college degree.

Get information about your state's prepaid college funds. Today, in some states, you can invite family and friends to contribute online. Don't be afraid to ask people to make donations in place of birthday and graduation gifts. 

Participate in a College Prep Program

College Prep programs are an awesome opportunity for a college freshman. 

College is a time of change and growth. It's when students start to feel more independent and reflect on their past, beliefs, ideas, hopes, and dreams for the future.

Most formal programs are geared towards high school juniors and freshmen. They are offered in some public and private high schools and over the summer at some colleges and universities. Most programs cover college admissions testing and applying for scholarships and grants. 

More advanced programs will help students develop social and emotional skills. They recognize having an awareness of your mental health is crucial. Program organizers want students to learn the values and behaviors necessary for college success.

Attending College Tours

Many churches and civic organizations host college tours during spring and summer breaks. A well-organized college tour will visit at least three schools during the week-long trip. These are usually in-state colleges that allow students to stay in dorms and get meals in the student center.

Campus visits will play an important role in your college decision. Tours help students determine which campus might be the best fit. They also allow applicants to make valuable connections with university leaders:

When to Visit

Visit schools before submitting your application for several reasons. Visiting a school after you've been accepted may seem more convenient. However, visiting first can help you in two ways.

First, visiting a school gives you the chance to connect with some key people who may be involved in your application process. You'll meet people from admissions who can help answer any questions you might have.

Second, many schools track demonstrated interest. They try to hone in on applicants who will likely follow through with attending college if accepted. Once you're tapped as a good candidate, they'll scout you, similar to teams trying to get the best athletes.

Earn Community Service Hours

Performing community service has so many benefits beyond college admission requirements. They are life-enrichment experiences. You get to meet new people and make life-long connections.

To become a college freshman, you most likely will need community service hours. Some colleges weigh this higher than other requirements.

Service opportunities during high school are really important. They're one of the things college admissions officers want to know about you and can be the deciding factor between two really good candidates:

Essays for Applications and Scholarships

Including community service and volunteer opportunities on your college applications is necessary. It's even more important if you're applying to a prestigious school like Princeton or Harvard.

Your volunteer and service hours for college usually come from your extracurricular activities. Write about them when applying for scholarships. Also, discuss volunteering during your college interviews.

Every volunteer hour you earn while in high school has the potential to make a difference in your life. It also impacts how you interact with your community. Become intentional about school clubs and community organizations that made a difference in who you are today.

Make Positive Connections

Throughout life, you'll meet amazing people who have the potential to pour into your life. Never take these experiences for granted. You never know who can write a letter of recommendation to the college of your choice.

Learn ways to effectively communicate ideas with your friends' parents, leaders at church, and the managers at your part-time job. If someone asks what you want to be when you grow up, answer confidently.

When it's time to prepare for college, you should have at least five adults you've met that can be a source of information. Perhaps you need experience for a college program, and they have a contact who works in that field. Or you could need a mentor when you get to college and know someone at the school of your choice.

Plus, starting to work on your communication skills can never come too soon. Remember, always let your parents know who you're speaking with and who is mentoring you.

Your Grades Matter

There is no time like today to check your GPA. You need an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher to get the most out of your opportunities after graduation. Your GPA should be at least the minimum in whatever field you choose to pursue.

An A- average is not an easy thing to achieve. That's why you should always do your best to earn good grades. Not only does it help improve your chances of getting into the school of your choice, but it also helps with college scholarships. 

Your guidance counselors should also provide some context on what type of GPA is used when applying to different colleges. Some schools do not include specific elective classes when calculating their GPA. Not using a 4.0 in an elective will impact your overall GPA if you have 2.5 in Calculous.

Also, you should know that GPAs are often recalculated when your records reach the college admissions office. Some colleges use the same scale for each student's GPA to see how it stacks up against the applicant pool.

Sometimes Parents Get SAD

It's natural for parents to worry about their child moving out of the house. It can become a problem when that fear gets in the way of the student's aspirations. When that happens, you must find an ally, such as other family members, trusted family friends, a teacher, or a coach.

You can use an ally to prepare for what may happen when you talk to your parents about college. Practice how you'll present the topic of college as essential to your future success.

The ally can help address your parents' specific fears regarding you leaving home. Your support person can even accompany you to the conversation for moral support. 

In the worst-case scenario, your parent might experience what is known as Separation Anxiety Disorder. This can impact a student who has put in the hard work and is prepared to go off and embark on the college experience.

You'll need reinforcement and continued support to help navigate, leaving vulnerable parents. Too often, students forfeit their dreams to care for their parents. It's a reality that should be dealt with sooner rather than when it's time to embark on your new journey.

Work on Your Organization Skills

Are you a messy person? If so, Attending college just got harder unless you leave your messy behavior behind. College life will pose some new challenges and lead to personal growth:

Can a college expel a student?

Yes, colleges can expel students for not cleaning their rooms. A messy room may indicate that you have academic difficulties or emotional issues in some situations. It may also be as simple as always having your parents tell you what to do.

For some students, this may seem like a no-brainer. Unfortunately for others, cleaning their room can be a difficult task.

When we think of college, we think of studying, doing homework, attending lectures, and, most of all - dorm life. There are many things to get used to, including respecting your dorm and dormmates.

Don't Let Messiness Come to This

If a student fails to clean their room, it may be considered disorderly conduct. This means you will face disciplinary action from the college if you fail to clean your dorm room. If you fail to clean up, you may lose privileges, such as having guests in the dorm.

This is why it's important to learn organizational skills early. A messy room often leads to a messy, dysfunctional life. 

Living Off Campus Your Freshman Year

Is living off campus a good idea? In retrospect, it probably isn't, especially if you end up back home by the second semester. 

There was a time when most small colleges and universities didn't let students live off campus their freshman year. They thought it helped students get a feel for the campus and the community.

Colleges have always had a role to play in making sure students are taken care of and safe. Even though dorms don't have as many "authority" figures today as they did in the past, the idea still holds true:

It's a Different World

For a lot of students, it's the first time they're living away from home. Dorm life bridges the gap between home and college. Plus, it helps you to become acclimated to life without your parents ruling over you.

Sometimes, living off-campus too soon comes with distractions. If you're not mature enough to manage your time for studying, getting to class, and having a balanced social life, things can get out of control quickly.

Give dorm life a chance. We promise you won't regret it.

Stay on Top of Your Studies

After you get settled into college life, you'll develop a routine. Study, exercise, hang out with friends and do fun college life stuff. Study some more.

There's plenty of time for everything. You need to prioritize studying, and everything else will find a place.

Cramming for exams at the last minute, like you were in high school, is no longer an option. Your high school shortcuts won't measure up to college workloads. 

You're smart enough to do well in college but not so smart that you can just coast through. If you're having any problems, contact your professors or academic advisor. Don't wait until it's too late to ask for help because delays mount, and eventually, you'll get behind. 

Before you know it, you're facing the real possibility of academic probation. 

College Is the Best of Times

You can come home whenever you want, and your parents will cover the cost even if they say they can't afford it.

Schedule your trips with friends ahead of time. You'll get great deals on flights, and if you plan ahead, you'll actually save money and have a better time.

You're always welcome to join your parents on vacation. Just let them know you want to come and plan accordingly. If you tell them you're coming, you can't leave them hanging, so honor your commitments.

Your parents are your biggest allies. Cherish and protect the relationship.

Attending College Is a Privilege

There is no right or wrong advice for how to prepare for college. Everyone's experience will be different based on their circumstance. Just know there are no do-overs when it comes to your college freshman experience.

Do you need money for school? Check out these great college scholarships and check back often for new tips, information, and opportunities.