The 3 Best Things You Can Do to Prepare for College in 2011

So you're getting ready to head of to that college or university for the first time and get a good education. You've probably researched all your educational options, checked out a long list of potential schools, Nailed a 2400 on your SAT, and completed your pre-college shopping excursion at the local WalMart®. Your car is loaded to the gills and road-ready. You have done everything to prepare, right? Take one last look at some things you may have forgotten.

Make Absolutely Certain You Choose the Right College for You

One of the toughest things about choosing the right college is going through the vast amount of information available on the thousands of colleges and universities out there. A good place to begin is the Best Colleges 2011 website published online by U.S. News & World Report. Many consider this report to be the most respected and comprehensive look at 1,400 schools. There are also lots of online tools at this website.

There are tips for helping to pay for college, an admissions guide, and a college personality quiz to help match your specific personality with an appropriate college or university. Whenever possible, make a visit to the college or university campus and check it out for yourself. Choose carefully because transferring to another school later is a major pain in the you-know-what.

Get Your Financing Nailed Down Before You Go to College

One of the things I dreaded at the start of every semester in college was going to the business office to make financial arrangements for the upcoming semester. My advice to those just starting or planning to go to college is to save every dollar. College is expensive and every dollar saved now is one less dollar you may have to work for later.

I worked two jobs to put myself through college and there was not an hour of work where I didn't wish I had saved more before going to college. My grades suffered because I worked so much, but it was my only choice. Look for grants, scholarships, and any sort of financial aid necessary to help pay for your education.

Be Prepared for an Emotional Roller Coaster

One thing that I never considered when I went to another state to attend college was the emotional toll on being separated for the first time from my folks. Leaving the security of family and friends can create a tremendous strain on you emotionally, and even physically. You're going into a new world full of new people with new and differing social norms. Some students literally cannot take the stress and end up leaving school altogether.

Depression, anorexia, and manic depressive illness can set in if you don't monitor your situation. In my own case, I woke up in the middle of the night about two weeks after starting college, cried for a bit and then it was over. Staying busy with classes, getting to know more people, and spending time in extra-curricular activities was also a tremendous help. Taking time to pick the right school will really pay off here.

College can be one of the most exciting and challenging times in a person's life. Great changes will occur and you need to be prepared for that. You'll learn new things and discover things about yourself that you never knew. You'll meet the people who will likely become some of your best and lifelong friends. College can be the experience of a lifetime so make sure you prepare yourself as much as possible ahead of time, and rely on those around you for help with the rest. Good luck and have a great year!

Sources:

Tips for Finding Your College Match

Transition to College: Separation and Change for Parents and Students

U.S News & World Report: Best Colleges 2011