There are several things you have to do when preparing for your first year of college. It can be a very stressful time for seniors, as they have to think about where they want to attend, what major they want to pursue, meal plans, cars, roommates, classes, and the new life they’re walking into.

 

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that hard.

 

There are several things you can do when preparing yourself for their next four or more years of education. The first thing to do is pretty obvious: looking over your options. Schools usually provide catalogs that list their majors and classes, so you have an idea of what you would be taking in your chosen major. You want to make sure the school you’re attending has exactly what you’re looking for, so it’s the right fit for you. PHS teacher Mrs. Gregory said, “Find a school that fits you. You don’t want to fight to fit the school.”

 

The next step would be to visit your advisor. These advisors are helpful tools to students, as they can answer almost any question and send you in the right direction for what you’re looking for. They also help you create a schedule. It’s good to make sure you’re not overbooking yourself; you want to have some free time for other things besides schoolwork.

 

Getting your requirements out of the way your first few semesters is a smart choice as well. Different schools have different requirements as to general classes, but it is good to get them out of the way your first two years, so you can focus solely on your major during the last two years of your schooling. Using college credits that were gained in high school from either AP or IB programs are a great way to get out of some of these required classes initially. You can also avoid some of these general classes by placing well on the college placement exams.

 

Pennridge senior Ryan Bashaar has gone through the whole college process and said, “I know how stressful the whole process can be. So, try and organize yourself, make lists, from the least important to the most. Make yourself some tea too while you’re at it.”

 

This student said it best. No matter how stressful the whole process can be, keep in mind that using your resources and the help schools provide for you is a great way to get through the process smoothly and somewhat effortlessly.