by Meggan Mattson & Mike Deutsch
Spring is right around the corner, and for current seniors, that signals the end of this chapter of your life and the beginning of a new one. Here are some tips that you may find helpful as you prepare to make that transition to college.
• Keep up with your studies. Senioritis can sabotage your college plans, so stay focused over the next few months.
• Start looking for job, internship, or shadowing opportunities in your planned area of study (to start now or over the summer). This is a great way to get your feet wet and make sure the major/career you chose is a good fit.
• You should start to receive financial aid packages from colleges this month. Lay them out side-by-side to compare. Some college add in a variety of loans or work study/campus employment to their packages while others do not, so make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
• Continue to apply for outside scholarships to help alleviate the financial burden of college.
• If you haven’t already, make your final college visits. Take advantage of your time on campus and familiarize yourself with the college town as well.
• Learn how to do laundry.
• Visit your favorite local restaurants…you’d be surprised how much you’ll miss Chick-Fil-A if there isn’t one near campus.
• Connect with your roommate once you receive your assignment (if living on campus)…it will certainly ease the transition to your new “home.”
• Make an appointment with your doctor to make sure all of your vaccinations and health-needs are up to date. And, start familiarizing yourself with healthcare procedures at your school.
• As you get ready to leave the nest, spend some quality time with the people you have been closest to over the past 18 years (even your little brother). Go to movies, take a hike, and just enjoy each other’s company.
• Once you make your final decision, get your tuition and housing deposits in as soon as possible. Residence halls sometimes fill up, so early submissions can make a difference.
• Make sure you send a final transcript and test scores to your college of choice.
• Enjoy your last few months of high school and get ready to be a freshman once again! ☺
Meggan Mattson and Mike Deutsch, both former high school counselors, created College Fit Counseling, LLC to help students and families navigate the college search and selection process. They assist with all pieces of the process: from creating a college list of “good fit” schools, through college applications and essays, and into applying for financial aid and scholarships. Visit our website at www.collegefitcounseling.com for more information on services offered. Or, contact us at meggan@collegefitcounseling.com or 773-807-4079 with further questions and to see how we can help you.
Spring is right around the corner, and for current seniors, that signals the end of this chapter of your life and the beginning of a new one. Here are some tips that you may find helpful as you prepare to make that transition to college.
• Keep up with your studies. Senioritis can sabotage your college plans, so stay focused over the next few months.
• Start looking for job, internship, or shadowing opportunities in your planned area of study (to start now or over the summer). This is a great way to get your feet wet and make sure the major/career you chose is a good fit.
• You should start to receive financial aid packages from colleges this month. Lay them out side-by-side to compare. Some college add in a variety of loans or work study/campus employment to their packages while others do not, so make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
• Continue to apply for outside scholarships to help alleviate the financial burden of college.
• If you haven’t already, make your final college visits. Take advantage of your time on campus and familiarize yourself with the college town as well.
• Learn how to do laundry.
• Visit your favorite local restaurants…you’d be surprised how much you’ll miss Chick-Fil-A if there isn’t one near campus.
• Connect with your roommate once you receive your assignment (if living on campus)…it will certainly ease the transition to your new “home.”
• Make an appointment with your doctor to make sure all of your vaccinations and health-needs are up to date. And, start familiarizing yourself with healthcare procedures at your school.
• As you get ready to leave the nest, spend some quality time with the people you have been closest to over the past 18 years (even your little brother). Go to movies, take a hike, and just enjoy each other’s company.
• Once you make your final decision, get your tuition and housing deposits in as soon as possible. Residence halls sometimes fill up, so early submissions can make a difference.
• Make sure you send a final transcript and test scores to your college of choice.
• Enjoy your last few months of high school and get ready to be a freshman once again! ☺
Meggan Mattson and Mike Deutsch, both former high school counselors, created College Fit Counseling, LLC to help students and families navigate the college search and selection process. They assist with all pieces of the process: from creating a college list of “good fit” schools, through college applications and essays, and into applying for financial aid and scholarships. Visit our website at www.collegefitcounseling.com for more information on services offered. Or, contact us at meggan@collegefitcounseling.com or 773-807-4079 with further questions and to see how we can help you.
