How To Set Yourself Up For The Perfect College Experience

Going away to college is a big step in any young adult’s life. At the time, it can feel exciting and occasionally overwhelming. When you look back on this period later on in your life, you’ll view it as a tremendous and unique opportunity. There simply aren’t too many instances in life that can compare to the college experience, a time when you’ll meet new people, try new things, and discover more about who you are, what you value, and where you want to go in life.

Those benefits of going to college can come naturally, but it can also be helpful to take steps to invoke them on your own. In this post, we’re going to run through a few recommended strategies for setting yourself up for the best possible college experience, most of which simply take a proactive approach to handling the unwanted aspects of college, such as managing the financial situation, choosing the right living space, and handling academic requirements. 

Choose The Right College

You’ll be infinitely more likely to succeed at college if you attend the right institution. It’s not just about what the college offers, but how you feel about becoming a student there. There’ll be some places that might sound great on paper, but be totally wrong from a cultural fit perspective.

Thoroughly researching your options to understand the college’s academic credentials, the cost, and environment is a key first step. Over time, you’ll naturally find that you’re drawn to one — and it’s that inner voice that you should listen to, since it’ll nearly always guide you in the right direction. 

Take Time To Find The Living Space That’s Right For You

The college itself gets most of the attention, but your home environment — where you’ll spend a lot of your time — is also critical to your college experience. The goal is to have a living space in which you feel comfortable and relaxed, and where you actually enjoy spending time. 

That’s not always as easy to find as we’d like it to be, which is why it’s key to start thinking about it as early as possible. Most college students find that it’s best to live in an on-campus dorm during their first year, before moving out into off-campus accommodation for their second year, when they have a better sense of what’s available and what they’re looking for. 

Get Your Finances In Check

It’s difficult to live college life to the fullest when you’re continually counting the pennies, and while no one expects to be flush with cash during their college days, there’s a lot of value in ensuring that you can live comfortably. There are student loans that can cover all of your college tuition and expenses, with some private loan options often offering access to greater cash amounts and lower interest rates than federal loans. It’s also worthwhile considering getting a part-time job, which not only provides additional income but can also be a great introduction to the working world and a good way to meet people. 

What To Pack For College

You’ll have a good sense of what to take with you to college, since, well, there’s about a million articles out there on the topic. 

We don’t want to focus on the standard items you should pack. Instead, we want to focus on the often overlooked items, such as a few home comforts, that can make it easier to make the transition into college life. Soft blankets, LED lights and fairy lights, photos of friends and family, a scent diffuser, and comfortable clothing can help you to create a relaxing sanctuary that makes it easier to deal with the stressful elements that college can provide. 

The First Month 

In our view, the first month of college deserves special attention, since it really can help to set yourself up for success. This is a time to settle in, navigate the early homesick pangs, and hit the ground running. Attending orientation is especially recommended, since it can provide a wealth of useful information that can help you unlock the best that college life has to offer.

Focus On The Academic Side

College life can be so much fun because of all the extracurricular activities that are on offer, but the academic side of college should always come first. You’ll likely find that it’s much easier to manage college if you set aside specific times to complete your academic work. This makes it part of your routine, rather than something that you try to fit in around everything else you have going on in your life. Completing your academic work won’t always be the first thing that you want to do, but it’ll keep you ahead of the curve — and it’ll make it a lot easier to really enjoy other parts of college life even more. 

Work On Making Friends (And Don’t Worry If It Doesn’t Happen Immediately!)

Having a good social group at college can produce more highs and make the lows more manageable. Some people are natural at making friends, but most have to work at it. Don’t worry if you don’t make friends immediately — eventually, they will come. The best advice is to put yourself in positions where you could make friends, such as getting involved with extracurricular activities or volunteering, and to wait until those friendships naturally develop. It can take time, but it’ll be worth it!

Look After Yourself

Looking after yourself isn’t an optional bonus; it’s an outright necessity. Even the best college experiences can be stressful and difficult from time to time, so it’s important to proactively invest in your well-being. 

This doesn’t have to be groundbreaking or dramatic. Even incorporating a few good-for-you habits can make a significant difference to your stress levels and how well you’re able to deal with difficult periods. Exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, and leaning on your support network (both at college and back at home) can provide the foundation upon which a great college experience is built. 

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