Important Things to Do Before Going to College

Now that you've decided what college you will attend, there are several things you need to do and consider to ensure a smooth transition process. 

Learning Disability Support

  • Make sure Disability Services Office has your current testing and all paperwork is completed.
  • Contact support services faculty and introduce yourself.
  • Be sure to use the LD support once you start school.

Sign Up for Classes

  • Think about taking a reduced course load, at least for the first semester.
  • Balance your course load. Be aware of the amount of reading and writing that will be required.

Think About Money

  • You will need access to cash at school. Make a plan. Is there a local ATM you can use? Will you set up an account at a local bank?
  • Discuss a budget and spending plan with your family.
  • Discuss financial responsibility with family and agree on who will pay for which expenses. (Who pays for weekend entertainment? Who pays for books? Who pays for gas? Who pays for Friday night pizza?)

Medical Needs

  • Will you need regular medications at school? Develop a plan of how you will renew and fill any prescriptions.
  • Develop a plan to make sure you will remember to take your medications. Practice the plan over the summer.
  • Will you need medical specialists while at school? Talk to the school Health Center to make sure they have connections to local specialist that you will need.

Counseling Support

  • Will you need counseling support?
  • Discuss this with your current counselor and ask for their help in locating a local counselor.
  • Talk with the school about the counseling services on campus.

Technology

  • Decide which technology you will use and how you will use it.
  • Practice using any technology.
  • Think about how you will organize your technology and documents. 

Set Up a Reference Notebook

Collect key reference and "How To" sheets from Landmark and organize into a Reference Notebook. This can include:

  • How to write a note card
  • Steps to a research paper
  • Format of a thesis
  • Essay templates
  • Study guide sheets
  • Graphic organizers

Update Your Contacts

  • Make sure you have contact information for important people at home. This can include grandparents, former teachers, employers, and others.
  • Make sure the Guidance Office is on your contact list. We want to hear from you!

Purchase Stationary

  • A hand-written thank you note still makes an impression. Purchase a pack of notes and get in the habit of writing them often!

Don’t Forget

  • Make a list of key people and important dates
  • Develop a list of important dates such as parents, grandparents, and sibling birthdays and get in the habit of sending a card and making a call on those days!
  • Life will get busy. Schedule a weekly time when you and your parents will talk. Make this a priority to talk once a week.