It’s mid Summer and I’m getting my schedule prepped for the upcoming semester. I’m also responding to a ton of phone calls and emails from parents asking for advice on how best to help their kids how to mentally prepare for Freshman year. They’re worried about anxiety, depression, procrastination, etc overwhelming their soon-to-be Freshman. Preparing for their first semester of college can be both exciting and terrifying. To help them navigate the transition, I’ve pulled together step-by-step instructions on how to get ready. I’ve also included some psychological tools they (and maybe you) can use as launch day creeps closer:
1. Understand the Academic Expectations
Review the Course Syllabi
– Check the Schedule: Make sure they know what classes they’re taking, the times, and locations. Familiarize themself with the course syllabus if available though most aren’t posted until the weekend before classes start.
– READ THE SYLLABUS: I was as guilty as the next student for this one. I never read the syllabus and it made undergrad way harder than it needed to be. Make sure to nudge your kid to read the syllabus when it posts. Read with the intent of understanding, not with the intent of checking a box. Faculty are not paid for or judged on their syllabus quality.
– Buy Required Textbooks and Supplies: Obtain the textbooks and any required materials early and make sure the ISBN and any other identifiers are exact. Kind-a obvious but check out sites that offer used books or online versions to save money (Campusbooks or Chegg are two good examples).
Create a Plan
– Schedule Studying: College studying is not like high school studying. There’s no one looking over their shoulder and professors will shrug at best if they’re not prepared for in-class discussions or tests. Allocate time for classes, studying, and other activities. If students want to aim for A’s and B’s, a good rule of thumb is 3-4 hrs per week per course. Most students don’t do this but it’s what works if they lock and load. This also helps them avoid last-minute cramming.
– Use Academic Resources: Take advantage of campus resources like the library, study groups, and tutoring centers. Sign up the FIRST week of classes for tutoring, not when things get hard. The best tutors get scooped up quickly. If your kiddo had an IEP/504 in high school, they will need to work with their school’s disability services to complete an application and request accommodations. Schools are SLAMMED with applicants for this so do this before the semester starts if possible.
2. Financial Prep
Budgeting
– Create a Budget: Sit down with your freshman and list all income sources (savings, scholarships, part-time jobs) and expected expenses (tuition, books, living costs). Create a simple way to track their spending to stay within the budget you all create. I recommend a shared Google Spreadsheet that gets updated each week or month. Budgets aren’t about just knowing where money is, it’s also about reducing surprises and increasing predictability, which coincidentally, reduces anxiety.
– Look for Student Discounts: Many businesses offer discounts for college students. Show them how to use their student ID to save on food, travel, and entertainment. For example, Apple always has deep student discounts and incentives for laptops, iPads, etc in August.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
– Apply for Scholarships: If there’s enough time, have your kid research and apply for scholarships to help cover expenses. Have them check with their college’s financial aid office for opportunities. If they missed a deadline for this year, they can put this on their calendar for next year to apply for.
– Understand the Financial Aid Package: Make sure they understand the terms of any loans, grants, or work-study programs they’ve received. This dovetails nicely with how I write about teaching personal finance skills to college students.
3. Organize Living Arrangements
Housing
– Confirm Their Housing: You’d be surprised how many times I’ve worked with students who were super certain housing was nailed down when it actually turns out they never confirmed something or signed the last document. Make sure they know where they’ll be living, whether it’s on-campus or off-campus housing. If living in a dorm, encourage them to contact their roommate(s) to coordinate what each of them will bring.
– Move-In Day Preparation: Prepare for move-in day by organizing belongings, labeling boxes, and packing essential items separately for easy access. I recommend parents and students avoid Target, Walmart, etc during move-in week. Getting to town even a day or two early can save hours.
Essential Items
– Create a Packing List: Have them create a list of items they’ll need, including bedding, toiletries, school supplies, and personal items. Don’t forget essential documents like their ID, passport, and any medical records. Make sure you have copies of everything in case something gets lost or you need to complete forms.
4. Get Familiar with Campus
Campus Tour
– Take a Campus Tour: Most students tour a campus when they’re looking for a school. But once they’ve gotten home and decided, details of campus may be easily forgotten. So, if possible, visit campus before classes start so they can familiarize themself with key locations such as dorms, classrooms, library, and dining hall.
– Download Campus Maps: Get them to keep the map of campus handy on their phone to help them navigate during the first few weeks.
Explore Campus Resources
– Student Services: Learn about available student services such as health services, counseling, and academic advising.
– Extracurricular Activities: Check out clubs, organizations, and sports teams. Getting involved can help them meet new people and enhance the college experience. Most schools provide a student activities club meet and greet the first few weeks of school – this should be on the list of activities they get during orientation.
5. Establish Good Habits
Time Management
– Use a Planner: Whether digital or paper, a planner can help them keep track of assignments, exams, and social activities. I have my clients use Google Calendar or iCal even if their school provides a calendar through Blackboard, Canvas, or whatever course management system the school has.
– Set Goals: Set academic and personal goals for the semester to stay focused and motivated. I also think it is important to hit pause on big life goals during Fall Semester Freshman Year. Why? Because I want students to fully commit to meeting new people, joining clubs, exploring rec activities and crushing classes. There’s plenty of time after this first semester to get laser focused on pre-med aspirations.
Health and Wellness
– Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet (Mediterranean diet is evidence-based), exercise regularly (30-60 minutes M-F), and get enough sleep (8 hours the same time every day). These habits are crucial for maintaining their physical and mental health.
– Medications: Whether someone is on birth control or anti-depressants, it’s essential for parents to help their kids make sure they’ll not only have enough medication until they come home, but also make sure there are follow up appointments with providers (virtually) or scheduled for the next school break. Disruption in medication is a big problem for college students that can be easily avoided with just a bit of planning.
– Mental Health: Be aware of mental health resources on and off campus. It’s best to reach out to a therapist at the first sign of distress so it doesn’t develop into a semester-ending crisis. Keep in mind most college counseling centers (aka CAPS or Counseling and Psychological Services) only offer short term counseling for very basic challenges (eg. adjusting to a new place). For more chronic and severe challenges like depression or eating disorders, your kid will absolutely need to find a therapist in the community. Do this way before school starts since most of us fill our caseload quickly once the semester begins.
– Sign Release of Information: I have written about HIPAA and FERPA a ton over the years so I’ll spare you the details today. Bottom line is this – make sure your kiddo, regardless of how awesome or terrible they are, signs releases of information for the college to be able to exchange information with you. It’s a cheap insurance policy in case there is an emergency, decompensation, or just straight up bad grades. Is these are not signed, parents are 100% left out with their only role being that of payor.
– Partying: Let’s not pretend this doesn’t happen. As I wrote in my book Insider’s Guide to College, I encourage students to Party Well. That doesn’t mean I want them to party. It means if they are going to drink/smoke/etc. do things to minimize the negative effects like eating, drinking water, and having a specific time they’ll leave. Regret from partying too much and too hard is one of several psychological costs I’ve had to help students deal with.
6. Network and Build Relationships
Connect with Professors
– Attend Office Hours: Take advantage of professors’ office hours to ask questions, seek guidance, and build relationships. Going to office hours is as much about getting them to know your kid as it is about supporting them academically.
– Engage in Class: Participate actively in class discussions to demonstrate their interest and make a good impression. It’s amazing to me how a little effort with faculty goes a long way.
Socialize
– Meet New People: Encourage but don’t push them to join study groups, attend social events, and engage with their classmates. Building a network of friends can make their college experience more enjoyable and supportive. If they’re coming to school with a bunch of friends from home, make sure they are including and expanding their friend group.
Final Thoughts
College is not the same as it was when we were there. Between social media and the changing employment and academic landscape, the combination of opportunities and pressures has created a very modern set of problems. Preparing for their first semester of college involves planning, organization, and a proactive approach to both academic and personal life. With the steps and insights outlined above, I’ve seen students survive and thrive their Freshman year.