How to prepare best for the upcoming college school year?

I'm starting to think about what I need to do this summer to be ready for college as a high school student. Are there resources or strategies to best prepare for the academic year ahead?

Preparation for your upcoming college school year starts well before you step onto campus. Here are some steps you could follow:

Firstly, familiarize yourself with the course content for your degree. If your college has provided a curriculum or class syllabi, go through it carefully to get an understanding of what you'll be studying. If textbooks or reading lists are provided, consider getting a sneak peek into them.

Next, organize! If you already have your class schedule, start arranging your study time, extracurricular activities, relaxation time, etc. A rigid, but well-managed schedule can help significantly not only in maintaining good grades, but also in balancing social activities and self-care.

Summer break is a great time to work on your study skills. Identify areas where you need improvement—for example, if you struggle with time management or note-taking—and research methods to improve these skills. You can review strategies for effective studying, like the Pomodoro Technique (studying in blocks of time with breaks in between), active recall (testing independently on what you learnt), or spaced repetition (spreading out review sessions on a certain topic over a period of time).

Become familiar with the resources your college offers, such as writing centers, libraries, career-services departments, mental health services, and study groups. Knowing where and how to access these can be a lifesaver once the semester begins.

Also, you might want to learn about life on campus—check to see if your school has a virtual tour available, or connect with current students to learn about life at that college. This will provide you with a good sense of what to expect once you arrive. For example, you can find out where the best study spots are, what extracurricular activities are available, and how the dining halls work.

Lastly, take the time to develop some life skills such as cooking, basic laundry work, and financial management if you haven't already. These will be of tremendous help in the independent college environment.

By following these steps, you'll be setting up a strong foundation for your freshman year of college. College transition is a big step, but taking active steps to prepare can definitely make it smoother. Good luck on your college journey!