Freshman Year Unlocked: Strategies for a Confident College Start

Transitions can be challenging, anxiety-inducing, and exciting. The tips below will help prepare you and your high school senior for their freshman year in college.

Check those Student Portals! 

Remind your student to check their college’s online student portal frequently and complete any required actions. 

Transcripts & AP/IB Scores

As soon as your student graduates from high school, have them send their final high school transcript, any transcripts from dual enrollment or college classes, and any self-reported or new AP or IB scores to the college they will be attending by July 1.  This is a very important deadline, don’t miss it!

Register & Attend Orientation 

Orientation provides valuable information about campus resources, facilities, and academic expectations. It’s also an opportunity to meet fellow students and make connections. Help your student take advantage of these sessions to ease their transition to college life. They may also meet their academic advisor and possibly complete course registration. Parents, there will be sessions for you as well!

Accept Financial Aid and Complete Loan Requirements 

Colleges require students to accept or decline financial aid offers, such as loans. This is typically done in the student portal. If your student is accepting loans for the first time, they’ll be required to complete entrance counseling and submit a Master Promissory Note (sometimes referred to as MPN). 

Loan counseling is an online course provided by Federal Student Aid that helps students understand the implications of borrowing loans. They must complete this training since the loan will be in their name. The Master Promissory Note is a legally binding document where the borrower agrees to repay their student loans. 

Prepare to Pay Tuition & Expenses

The tuition bill shows all the expenses a college charges. Check to see if any costs can be waived, such as health insurance provided by the college. Many personal health insurance plans can be used instead of the college’s health insurance, saving you a few thousand dollars. Many colleges offer payment plans through the bursar’s office, student accounts, or the student financial services office. 

Be Aware of Variable Costs

Variable or indirect costs can include textbooks, a computer, transportation, supplies, off-campus food, and entertainment. These expenses can add up, so it’s important to create a budget when preparing to pay for college. 

Parents: You will not automatically receive any bills or financial statements.  If you would like to be responsible and see bills, statements, and any academic records, your student will have to provide you with access. This can be accomplished on the school’s website.

If your student needs a part-time job, they can browse university jobs to find opportunities.

Pick a meal plan 

First-year students are typically required to have a meal plan. Consider your students' eating habits and preferences when choosing a meal plan. If you can afford it, it’s recommended to have at least two dining hall meals per day. Off-campus students may also have the option of signing up for meal options. 

Plan a Health Check

Schedule doctor and dentist visits before move-in. Make sure immunizations are up to date (some colleges have specific requirements).

Roommates!

Ask your student to connect with their roommate well before move-in day. They can coordinate what each will bring. There is typically a list of what is provided and what is not allowed on the college’s website. Many schools also have class social media groups or apps to help students start building community.

Help Your Student Get Ready for College Life

Teach them life skills that they haven’t already learned.  Simple things will help: Laundry, Grocery Shopping, Budgeting, How to Order Prescriptions, etc.  Make sure your insurance cards are available, debit cards and credit cards are up-to-date, and that your student knows where the ATMs are on or near campus.

Before the start of classes, students should:

• Identify the dates for move-in and move-out. 

• Review their class schedules and confirm that they have registered for the correct number of credit hours. If they need to make changes to their schedule, they need to do so by the institution’s deadlines for adding or dropping. Students should contact their academic advisor if they need assistance with making changes to their class schedule.

• Log into their school portal, student account, and the learning system their institution uses (ex. Canvas, D2L, Blackboard, etc.).  Professors will use this to post announcements, send messages, post the course syllabus, required textbooks, and class materials.

Textbooks 

Textbooks can be bought or rented.  Renting saves a great deal of money. Compare prices from the school bookstore and other online textbook services like Chegg, Amazon, and other used bookstores.

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?ie=UTF8&nodeId=G4JP53XSLQHE45YU&ref_=cct_cg_rental18_1a1&pf_rd_p=e4b5a30f-4536-4a68-8aa7-c85bdb14203d&pf_rd_r=6E5WF2FZK49KXDKSSAG0

• Barnes & Noble: https://www.bnctextbookrental.com/

• Chegg: https://www.chegg.com/books

• Ecampus: https://www.ecampus.com/

Explore Campus 

Encourage your student to walk the campus and locate their class buildings so that they’re able to easily find their classes on the first day. They can also locate other resources on campus, including the student union, the library, student health services, and other amenities.

During the First Week of Classes

• Students should become familiar with their school’s tutoring and other support services. 

• Become familiar with professors’ office hours and preferred method(s) of communication. 

• Attend events offered specifically for first year students, such as Welcome Week.  It’ss a great way to make new friends and meet staff. Residential Assistants (RAs) may also host periodic events.

• Attend other events like a student activities fair or a job fair. Job fairs may include on-campus, off-campus, and federal work-study jobs.

Mid-Year is a good time to reflect on how classes are going. 

Does your student need to withdraw from a class or multiple classes? Before deciding to withdraw, have your student speak with their professor on the likelihood of passing the course, and then speak with their academic advisor and the financial aid office regarding repercussions for withdrawing.

Towards the end of the year, students should:

Prepare for housing for the following year. Can they remain on campus? What’s the application process like? If they’re planning on moving off-campus, make sure they understand the lease and payment options.

Reflect on their classes and grades. If your student is receiving financial aid, make sure that they are meeting the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid. File an appeal if not, and see if the situation can be an extenuating circumstance.

Develop a plan for the summer. 

Help your student create summer plans that will aid in their graduation from college and their career aspirations. Summer classes, working, and internships are always a good choice.?

Before you know it, their freshman year of college will be complete.  Good luck to all students and parents preparing for this exciting transition!