15 Good Things to Do the Summer Before College

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Very useful and need to be read everyday for better understanding. Nice article though!

Tim of CA 10:18AM May 07, 2012

some how better

shankarabalaji of IN 11:14PM April 06, 2012

This is a great article with very useful information! This is also a great time of year for all students to begin searching for scholarships for the upcoming school year. Scholarships are a great source of money to pay for college, but most people don’t have the time or energy to look for them. And even if they do, there is so much information out there that it can be totally overwhelming! I spent my son's entire senior year searching for scholarships, and yes, it paid off! As a result of all my hard work and the experience I gained, I founded Scholar Dollars. We provide personalized scholarship searches for students and focus on locating more obscure and local scholarships that are harder to find, which means that our clients have a better chance of winning! You can find more information at www(dot)Scholar-Dollars(dot)com. Of course, the ultimate result and money won depends on the student’s motivation, determination, and commitment, but the money is there if you are willing to work for it!

Tracie Joyner of GA 9:42AM June 21, 2011

I would add that parents and students do any follow-up paperwork for scholarships they may have won. Contact the college letting them know the scholarship money is coming, make sure the checks have been mailed to the correct address, write thank-you letters to each organization that awarded you the scholarship, etc... In the crazy-busy summer before college, these details can be overlooked and cause students to miss out on valuable college money.

Monica Matthews of MI 8:33AM June 21, 2011

ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS: You can get a great computer and save your money for fun weekend events! Use this coupon code to save an addition $50 off systems $699: WQQ$MQ0M4JNCWD. Or save $100 off systems $999 and above with this coupon code: B980P775CS2Z02. Go to Dell.com/DellU or call 866-914-6077 for details. Offer ends 6/30.

Danielle of PA 4:28PM June 19, 2010

I forgot some other tips-
1. You many know that many students choose to be active, if you know what I mean.
You might want to think about how much dating you want to do beforehand, given your views on the subject, conservative or liberal. If you met the person of your dreams at school, would you want to put off the decisions that come from that until after you graduate? You might want to meditate about this beforehand, as studies can quickly go off the rails when temptations are available.
2. On a more serious note, consider reading up in a friendly, relaxing way on the subjects you are going to take. If you are taking a course in English, why not find a funny book about an English professor, or about the life of a first year undergrad, or (don't gag) a biography of a famous math, science, literature person? Background reading on your subject is a good way to get better grades - if a little nerdy.

Darryl 3:05AM May 29, 2010

For the Keeners -
1.Buy your notebooks, PDA's, Smart Phones, and any other means you want to record important thoughts and To Do Lists, etc. Get a plan together before classes start on how you are going to study - in a group? do you need a quiet environment? Are you planning to review your work on a daily basis, or a weekly basis - if so what time of the day is best for you? Decide early about when you like doing it, be realistic. Getting up at 4AM everyday will work for two days. Starting new habits is painful - so be prepared to be confused, frustrated and stressed.
2. If you are weak on getting your studies in order, buy the best-rated book on how to study on the market and study up on how you are going to approach your classes in terms of prep for assignments, exams. This tip alone will raise your grades.
3. Your parents may be freaking at you leaving the nest, so don't count on them to give you advise on how to handle prep, college life. Ask a recent graduate what they would do different - a cousin or friend's friend. Someone like you preferably, and is neutral, a solid person, and is smarter than you.
4. You will be facing some stressors, so you might want to consider a plan on how to handle stress: you may have never thought about this before. There is a lot to learn, so don't just think you can take a bubble bath or play pickup bball and that will be the end of it.

Darryl 2:39AM May 29, 2010