4 Ways to Spend The Summer Before College

Online, May 18, 2014 (Newswire.com) - You've picked your college, graduated high school, what next? What can you do the summer before college to make your transition easier? Kelly Fleming, one of the students from Now You Tell Me! 12 College Students Give the Best Advice They Never Got, says there are four things you should do before moving in to your dorm.

Network by using social media tools to interact with other people going to your school. "Get in touch with your roommate to coordinate packing," advises Fleming. "If your roommate is bringing a mini fridge, you don't have to. Knowing some people at school before you get there will help make you feel more at home right away."

Inform yourself about what activities are offered at your school before you get there. The first few weeks at a new school can seem overwhelming and can go by very quickly. Look up meal plans, sports clubs, service opportunities, academic programs, student life policies, even a map of the campus. "I was late to five of first ten classes I had freshman year, which wouldn't have happened if I'd memorized a map!" While you're at it, make a list of organizations you might be interested in joining so that you can email them to get more information as soon as you get to campus.

Pack carefully. Remember dorm rooms are small and you can't bring everything you own. Here are a few things you should bring: a shower caddy, flip flops for the shower, laptop, refrigerator, Apples to Apples, Taboo, or some other group type game, decorations that show your personality. Kelly's rule of thumb: "it's better to be thought weird than dull!"

Appreciate the time you spend with your friends and your family before you all head in different directions. Yeah, allow yourselves a few strolls down memory lane, talk about crazy things that happened in high school and before. Next time you see each other,(likely over winter break), you'll have plenty of new stories to tell.
Spending the summer preparing for college will help make your freshman year at the college of your choice a truly wonderful experience.

Now You Tell Me! 12 College Students Give the Best Advice They Never Got, is full of authentic advice from actual college students from different walks of life who attend a variety of colleges and universities. They share the insider knowledge that isn't in the school catalog: How to make the best of what is offered, how to make friends, the secrets to academic success, how to get along with your roommate, whether to join a sorority or fraternity, what to do when you are homesick, or when your roommate parties till all hours, and most importantly, how to get the most out of your college experience.