High School Seniors Have You Finalized College Plans? Review This List

With the holiday break almost here for high school seniors, it is the perfect time to nail down the college you will be attending in nine short months (if you haven’t already done so). 

 

And that is only one of the final decisions you must make before beginning your higher learning. 

 

Here is a list to check off as you approach that first day of college. 

 

1. Choose Your College

Hopefully, that same college has chosen you back. It helps if you have the grades and the extracurriculars they are searching for in their students. Plus, a great score on the ACT or SAT would benefit you greatly. 

 

It is possible if you still need to get the score you want. Contact us at iAchieve, and we will set you up with a tutor that specializes in helping you earn a higher score on either standardized exam. If you need more than a tutor, we have whole test prep packages that may get you a high enough score to receive a scholarship at your school of choice. Spending a little bit of a test prep package or tutor now could save you thousands of dollars later.

 

2. Determine How You Will Pay For College

This should have helped you decide on which college you will be attending in the first place. For instance, only choose a $40,000-a-year school if you have the finances. Two years of junior college will cost you nothing, as you can pay it off with the help of a part-time job. If you emerge from college with a $100,000 debt, you could be paying it off for the rest of your life. There is no need for this. A degree from a $10,000-a-year school is just as good as a degree from a $40,000-a-year school. 

 

By filling out financial aid applications and sending them in early, you will have a greater chance of receiving some financial help. It is often first to come/first serve for financial aid. If you are waiting until the last moment, then don’t expect to get good results. 

 

3. Where Will You Be Living?

Are you planning on living on campus, at home, or getting an apartment? Some students love the college life of living in a dorm. Other students would rather avoid the atmosphere, have a little privacy, and have some separation. 

 

4. What Is Your Major?

While you often hear that you can wait to decide on your major, it sure helps when figuring out which classes you are taking presently. Each course will cost you money, so why take ones you will not need for your major? 

 

5. No Need to Buy New College Textbooks

Each course will likely require a textbook or two. New textbooks can almost be as expensive as the tuition for the school. Find used textbooks either in person at the college or search online. You can save thousands of dollars over the next four years. 

 

6. Start Making Schedules and Improving Upon Your Organization

You may have been able to skate by high school with poor organizational skills and no schedules to remember, but this will only work in college. If you aren’t organized, then you are going to be suffering from the very start. Your parents will not be able to remind you every day about what needs to get done any longer. Work on these skills before you begin signing up for classes. 

 

College is the next step before you become a full-fledged adult. You need to take it seriously. Keep this list on hand during these next few months to ensure you walk into higher learning with your eyes wide open. If you do, these next four years will go quite fast and prepare you for the real world when the time arrives. 

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