| Prepare For The Adjustment Before You Leave | | | | advantage of programs colleges offer during the |
| Even the most prepared college freshmen go through | | | | spring semester for newly admitted students. You |
| periods of adjustment when they arrive on campus, | | | | might be able to have an overnight visit with a current |
| but there are some things you can do for yourself to | | | | student who can show you the ropes before you |
| make the transition easier. Spend some time during the | | | | enter as a student, which will go a long way toward |
| summer reading about your new school and the city | | | | making you comfortable when you officially move in |
| or town it's located in. Surely, the admissions materials | | | | the fall. |
| you received give you some indication about how | | | | If your school doesn't offer such a program, consider |
| students spend their time and live their lives at school, | | | | making a trip to your college over the summer with |
| so that's a good place to start. You can also go online | | | | your family or some friends. The school will be quiet at |
| and do some research into your new "hometown" for | | | | this time of year, but you can familiarize yourself with |
| the next four years. Even if you're a little scared, be | | | | the location of the math building, for example, if you |
| positive. Picture yourself doing some of the cool things | | | | know for sure that's where you'll be taking some |
| you read about in the school's materials and online. | | | | classes. You can also scout the location of your dorm, |
| If you know people from your high school who will be | | | | the gym, the student union -- anything you've read |
| attending the same college in the fall, you might think | | | | about that might be of interest to you. |
| about getting together with them before you arrive on | | | | Barring a summer excursion or a spring overnight stay, |
| campus. Also, some schools send out your roommate | | | | perhaps you and your family can arrive a day or two |
| information during the summer. If your school does this | | | | ahead of the official move-in day. This will help you |
| for you, drop your roommate a line via email or even | | | | adjust to your new surroundings, because you'll have |
| pick up the phone and start planning what you think | | | | family members around you to help you do it. |
| your room should be like, who will bring what, etc. | | | | Arranging to spend some time in your new school's |
| Visit During The Spring, The Summer, or Arrive Early If | | | | town with your family prior to the move-in day will also |
| You Can | | | | make saying goodbye that much easier. |
| A great way to begin adjusting to college life is to take | | | | |