College Decisions You Can Make in High School
Posted: October 12, 2021 | Author: Savannah Byers | Read Time: 4 minutes
If “college bound” has become a personality trait, you have come to the right place. As seniors in high school, college can quickly take over your life yet feel simultaneously out of reach. There are so many decisions to be made but you can’t make a lot of them yet! While that may be mostly true, there are actually several college decisions you can make in high school.
Guide to College Decisions You Can Make in High School
If you have not chosen a school
Even if you haven’t made the final decision about which school to attend, there are still decisions you can make about college.
Explore Different Areas of Study
Begin to explore the majors and programs at different colleges you are interested in, even if you are not sure where you are going to school. Exploring these programs may help you with your college decision.
Even if you wait to decide on a specific major, you can explore what types of courses and learning experiences each major would typically offer. You can also look into things like job opportunities and professional pathways as a jumping off point to your higher education experience.
Shop for Dorm/Apartment Essentials
Before you even know where you are going to school, you can begin to curate a collection of items for your dorm room/apartment. Spreading out the inevitable investment into moving out for the first time can help the process feel less overwhelming.
Begin by browsing packing guides and begin to shop around for the things you know you will need (i.e., bedding, organizational items, basic kitchen supplies, etc.). If you don’t know where to start, try scrolling through something like Pinterest to see how other students have organized and decorated their living space.
Invest in Tech
One of the realities of being a 21st century college student is a reliance on technology. Almost every college student will need a laptop or a tablet to successfully complete their courses. If your devices are getting old or are on the fritz, it might be a good time to think about investing in some new tech.
Look at reviews and guides for the items you’re interested in and be sure to shop around. Keep an eye out for back to school deals and specials when shopping for new tech. Many campus bookstores also offer deals and discounts for students, so watch out for that as well. Sometimes the least expensive option isn’t always the best investment for a multi-year degree program and beyond.
If you have chosen a school
If you have chosen a school, you can begin to make more specific and long-lasting decisions regarding your college experience.
Explore Housing Options
If you have selected and been accepted to a school, you can begin looking into housing options for your freshman year. Each university will have its own set of options when it comes to on and off campus housing. Note that it is generally recommended for first-year students to live on campus.
Looking into housing early is also a great way to begin budgeting for your first year. Things like rent and utilities on top of tuition, groceries, and other expenses will begin to add up. Exploring housing early can help prepare you for some of these new expenses.
Discover Ways to Get Involved and Connected
The best way to get the most out of your college experience is to get involved. This can be through jobs, clubs, organizations, Greek life, etc. Browse through your school’s student life webpage to learn more about ways to get involved and how to get in touch with different clubs and organizations you are interested in.
Involvement in college extends outside of campus limits. Before beginning college, you can browse other community spaces you might like to join. Community spaces to join might be volunteer organizations, churches, community centers, groups, etc. One way to look into community groups is by browsing city websites and even Facebook pages to discover groups and learn more about life in a new community.
Create a College Bucket List
Creating a specific college bucket list is a great way to get excited about school and have things to look forward to. Your bucket list can include school-specific activities and traditions in addition to travel and other bucket list-type activities.
If you are coming to SUU, you can create your college bucket list using the Tradition Keeper and this existing bucket list of SUU-specific things to do.
Good luck with all of your college decisions! For more ways you can prepare for college in high school, check out these blog posts.
SUU is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences. SUU proudly offers world-class, project-based learning opportunities where students gain professional experience before entering the job market. Learn more about T-Bird Nation.
Tags: Student College Prep
