Before leaving for college, there are skills every freshman should have acquired. If you haven’t mastered these tasks yet, this summer is a good time to start!
- Laundry—hot or cold wash? To bleach or not to bleach? Colors or whites? Make sure you’ve learned the basics of doing laundry before taking off for college.
- Balancing a checkbook—if you plan to utilize a checking account or debit card, be sure you know how to balance your account. Those “bounced check” fees run up really fast.
- Credit cards—make sure you’re clear on the use of credit cards and payment procedures. Plan on paying your entire balance each month to avoid the hefty credit card interest rates. Paying on time also helps you establish a good credit rating—you’ll need this when it comes time to buy a car or a house or even rent an apartment.
- Basic cooking—sometimes you just need a home-cooked meal. Practice a few good and easy recipes that you can make at your dorm and you’ll make loads of friends.
- Keeping in touch—decide with family and friends just how this will be accomplished. For some, occasional text messages and emails will do; other people in you life will expect phone calls and even letters. Avoid hurt feelings by addressing this issue before you leave home.
- Avoiding procrastination—college assignments differ from what you’ve been used to in high school. Expect fewer but longer assignments and learn to use a planning calendar to make sure you keep up to date. “All-nighters” are really no fun!
- Advocating for yourself—make sure you know how to get help if you need it, whether it’s academic, medical or personal. Explore the services available at your college and know how to access them before you step on campus.
