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What's something you recommend students should do BEFORE starting college?

A general answer or a more personal one will suffice!

#general #college #knowledge #general #advice #life # #career #JULY20

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Doc’s Answer

1. Do you really want to go to college?
It's frequently just assumed that once you graduate high school you'll go to college. But you shouldn't go just because it's expected. You should go because you genuinely want to continue your studies and because it's needed for your desired career.

2. What do you want to study?
Not every school offers every major, so before you start spending money on applications think about what you want to study. Then you can see which schools match your interests and avoid applying to ones that don't have the degree program you want.

3. How are you going to pay for college?
College isn't cheap, but there are multiple ways to fund your education, including scholarships, grants and loans. You need to plan how you'll be paying for college and may need to pick your school based on how you are funding your education. For instance, if you think you to need to take out loans, pick a cheaper college to keep your loan amounts down.

4. Where do you want to live?
Do you want to live at home, on-campus or in your own apartment? Your choice could influence your future school. Obviously if you want to live at home you have to apply to a school that's in commuting distance. If you plan on living on campus you better apply to a school with residence halls. Finally, if you want to get an apartment, look at locations with housing in your price range.

5. Will you be working?
If you think you'll work while pursuing your degree, make sure you're somewhere with job opportunities for students. Another thing to consider is if you already have a job that you want to keep, since if that's the case you need to find a college nearby.

6. Are you actually ready for college?
Even if you want to go to college, you still need to think seriously about if you're ready for the many challenges that come with it. Are you academically prepared or do you need to take some remedial classes first? Do you feel mature enough to handle all the responsibilities of being a college student? There's nothing wrong with admitting you need another year to prepare.

Lqra college is an exciting and life-changing experience. It may be the first time you’ll be living on your own, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to make friends, meet new people, and learn about your interests both personally and professionally.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your answer! Iqra
Thank you comment icon Your Welcome Lqra, It was my Pleasure. Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon Amazing, I love the format and delivery of your answers! Thank you for your continued dedication to ensure that our generation has the resources needed to succeed! All the best! Aun
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your continued support Aun. I appreciate your faith in my abilities and will certainly do my very best to continue helping you students. Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon Thank You Raquel. “Our generation has the ability and the responsibility to make our ever-more connected world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place.” — Natalie Portman Doc Frick
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Dhairya’s Answer

Enjoy life! Spend time with your family and friends and enjoy the small period of time where you don't have to worry about school and work. You get very few moments in life where you can be free of the responsibilities and expectations that come with being adult, a student a professional, a partner, or many other roles you'll have. Cherish and enjoy the peace that comes with them.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice! Iqra
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Chris’s Answer

For me, the best thing to do before college was to be open to change. The first several months of college will be challenging, new, and overwhelming at times. I moved 10 hours away for college, so I was focused on hanging out with my friends and saving up money for school. Coming into college you may think you want to do one thing, and you may fall in love with another. Be flexible and have as much fun as possible!!!
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind! Iqra
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Andrew’s Answer

Go into college with a very open mind and willingness to try new things and leave your comfort zone. While you may have heard this answer many times before, its very true. There will be plenty of new experiences available to you that you will want to take advantage of. While having a plan for your college years is good, sometimes its best to just go with the flow!

Good luck this year!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your answer! Iqra
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Mula’s Answer

Hey Lqra,

I would recommend focusing on before college would be to look at school organizations and/or clubs that you would be interested in and figuring out when you study and focus best. My problem going into college was not having an idea about when I study best and I struggle my first semester of college because of it. Just having an idea about how you work best is a good thing to have.

I hope that helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your answer! Iqra
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Megan’s Answer

HELLO THERE! Great question! There are lots of different aspects to this topic so I've listed a couple things below:

If you already know where you are going:I would recommend look into what classes interest you or excite you the most. It would also be helpful to look into clubs or organizations you might want to join on campus.

If you don't know what college you are attending yet: I would recommend researching various colleges in the area, and taking a thorough look into what the college offers. Consider both academics and extra-curriculars. In terms of budgeting for college, I would recommend looking for scholarships early (think about your strengths or unique characteristics, lots of scholarships out there!). This is way down the road - but also consider if you will need grad school for your desired career. If you think you might need it, you might want to develop a budget for undergrad.

It's great you are thinking about college so early! It's such an exciting time in your life, don't forget to slow down and enjoy it! If you have the resources, travel as much as you can, and learn about new cultures and people different than yourself.

Feel free to reach out with any additional questions!

Megan recommends the following next steps:

https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for your advice: I really appreciate it!! Iqra
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Carina’s Answer

Travel and experience new things! I was planning to become a lawyer but after I graduated high school, my friend and I decided to backpack through Europe for a month, and it completely changed my career path. I realized I wanted a job with flexibility and not super long hours and that I loved meeting new people. I'm currently studying Supply Chain and Human Resources with an emphasis on International Business. I currently have an internship at US Bank and hope to travel for my work going forward. My path would have looked a lot different if I had been scared to do something that scared me.

Good luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you and I hope you get to travel a lot in the future! (: Iqra
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Jon’s Answer

Hi Lqra,

As a forward-thinking young adult, I would recommend that you start to find your path by first reaching out to professionals in your local network. Speaking to parents of friends, family, etc. can be a very insightful way to learn more about different fields of study, career paths, and areas of interest. After taking the time to look into some areas that interest you, ask yourself which ones stand out the most! From here, consider pursuing a passion project related to these topics in your free time as a starter.

When you reflect on these topics prior to selecting a college major, think about what you want to prioritize in your career. Is it helping people? Making money? Overall job satisfaction? You will benefit greatly from asking yourself these challenging questions early on.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for your answer! Iqra
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Edward Obasi’s Answer

Hi Lqra,

I would recommend that you look into the college's website and find clubs that interest you. Socializing is an important part of college and joining clubs can help you find people with mutual interests.

Hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Iqra
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Anna’s Answer

Hello Lqra, the number one thing that I believe is the MOST important to do before attending college is taking a step back to truly understand what interests you and what you enjoy (whether that is trying new experiences or taking on new opportunities). This is something I really wished I would have done because I went into college not knowing which major to do let alone what occupation to work towards. I was beyond confused and still am.

Anna recommends the following next steps:

Reach out to people and ask them what their occupation is and why they chose it.
Thank you comment icon Thanks so much for the answer! Iqra
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Sheila’s Answer

Hi Iqra:

This is a great question; thank you. From a parent perspective who has young adults and nieces and nephews in college I recommend the following items for your consideration to look at BEFORE attending college:

• Do you know how to take care of your finances? Do you have a savings or checking account? This will be beneficial when your parents need to transfer you funds (sometimes urgently), etc.
• Do you know how to go to the doctor "by yourself"? In college, there will be times when you may need to see your primary care physician. Are you capable and comfortable making and attending the appointments by yourself? Do you have a copy of your parent's medical insurance card? Make a copy for your use and keep it in a safe and secure place.
• Do you know how to handle your school affairs? Know when deadlines are due for important information such as FAFSA, job study, etc.?
• Research the campus grounds and community beforehand (ie, virtual, telephone the college and ask questions, etc). This is extremely helpful because when I was in college I was able to get a job in walking distance from the school because I surveyed the community in advance. Once I got to college, I applied to a company and got hired. I remained employed throughout my college years.

These tips are just a different way of thinking about things to do BEFORE college. Hope this was helpful. Best of luck to you and much success!
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Julia’s Answer

Hello,

Something that I would recommend to do before college is to look into the opportunities that the college offers. Check out the extracurriculars and get involved with as much as you can, as early as you can. First of all, you will grow your network early on in college of new connections that will be a resource for you. This will also give you a chance to diversify and increase the amount of people you know in college, outside of your friend circle. Throughout my past three years of college, every internship that I had was through organizations that I was involved in, where I was able to network and find new opportunities. Additionally, many companies sponsor different organizations which would be a great thing to look into and get an "in" into the company through getting involved and showing interest early on. Finally, after joining different organizations, try your absolute best to gain leadership experience which will offer you a great resume builder and good experience early on in your career- especially during college, leadership opportunities are less of a time commitment and they show that you are hard working and involved.

This may seem like a lot to think about right now, but this is something that I wish I knew, because I'm involved in a lot now and I'm so grateful for every opportunity and experience that is has given me.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for your answer! Iqra
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Kellen’s Answer

Hello, great question! Before starting college I recommend dropping all expectations. You may have an idea of what you want to do or who you see yourself as and that is great!! But it will likely change and evolve as you transition to college life. Which is also great! So give yourself the opportunity to explore new things and put yourself out there. The best thing you can do for yourself in college is meet as many people as possible because you never know what those connections might mean for you down the line. Also, buy a planner or sticky notes and practice keeping lists because college tends to get very busy and it is easy for things to fall through the cracks.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Iqra
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Madison’s Answer

If I could do it again, I would try to connect with my friends and family before I left for school and set up a touch base every few months while we were in school. Over the years you lose touch and some of those relationships you had before college you realize were true and exactly what you wanted. I absolutely loved college, it was a chance to reinvent myself and figure out who I was going to be. Now 10 years out of college, I wish I had stayed better connected to my childhood friends and my grandparents who aren't around anymore. Sorry for the downer but speaking from the heart!!
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Shay’s Answer

Look at your major's degree or general education requirements and map out your classes. Make sure each class you take has a purpose and fulfills a requirement; it shouldn't be arbitrary. If you're still in high school I would take AP classes and study to maximize your scores on AP exams because they can give you college credits, which reduces the number of classes you have to take in college. I would also try to save up some money for miscellaneous expenses, whether that's working a job over summer or investing. Working a job will also help build your resume, which will come in handy when you are recruiting for summer internship opportunities.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice! Iqra
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Matthew’s Answer

Reflecting back, I would relax and think about what I've achieved so far, and where I want to go.

It could also be a good idea to stay close to friends and family during this time. This was one time in my life that I had little to worry about. Every other summer included interns, classes, or just work!
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Yasemin’s Answer

Hi Iqra! I would recommend visiting the campus and getting to know where your classes are as well as other resources like the library/tutoring center/writing center/gym- to name a few! I know that in the first week you will get this down and especially with the tours beforehand like "Accepted Students Day" but honestly sometimes it can be overwhelming. If you can set foot on campus and maybe get more affiliated with it before classes formally begin I think this will help you feel more comfortable. I would also make sure that your financial aid is in order because you don't want any last minute surprises! In addition make a list of the books you will need and try renting from a cheaper website than the school's bookstore! I think in college I only had to purchase once from the bookstore for a book and most of the time rented through Chegg or Amazon; it definitely saves money and you don't end up with a pile of books at the end of each semester! One last note is make sure you know where your adviser is and remember that you will meet with them before registering for classes. As a freshmen you have something called a "hold" on your account and will need to have it removed via an adviser.

I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
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