31. Start a journal
They say that these next four years will be the best of your life so why not document them in a journal? By starting when you’re still a pre-collegiette, you’ll be able to see how much you’ve grown since those high school days.
32. Plan a few mental health days
Though the summer is the time to spend every waking moment living it up, you need to schedule a few days to yourself. When you get to college, you’ll be so busy making friends and acing your classes, you’ll barely have any alone time. Take a couple days to read a book or watch Game of Thrones. You’ll feel rested and recharged when you do have those “I don’t have time to breathe”-type of days.
33. Apply for a credit and/or debit card
As a collegiette, you can no longer nag your parents for that twenty in their back pocket. Obviously, it’s time to enter the world of credit and debit cards. Before you head to college, go to your bank and sign up for your new, plastic BFFs. Some banks, like Bank of America, have accounts designed specifically for college students. Aren’t they sweet? Don’t forget to ask a million questions now. What’s your credit card limit? How can you transfer funds to different accounts? How will you know when your account is running low? You don’t want a financial disaster!
34. Discuss a budget with your family
Once you have your credit and debit cards, figure out how you should manage your money. Should you set a weekly or monthly budget? Should you try to find a part-time job on campus? How will you look for the best deals? These are things you should definitely think about before you head to school. If you’re fortunate enough to have your parents give you a budget, discuss your spending restrictions before buying those wedges online after a night of studying.
35. Find a summer job
Between bikini shopping this summer and saving up for school, you shouldn’t be surprised to experience a dip in your available funds. Make some money this summer and get a job. Whether you’ve picked up a dog walking gig or you’re now a lifeguard, you’ll be thrilled every time you get your paycheck. Let’s not forget that a summer job will look fabulous on your resume.
36. Memorize your Social Security Number
You never know when you’re going to need it!
37. Go to orientation
Some orientations are during the summer while others are right before school starts. Though awkward ice-breakers and lectures about your campus’s police department sounds less-than-thrilling, it’s definitely worth your time (not to mention it’s mandatory). After getting the low-down about your campus, you’ll feel like a real collegiette.
38. Learn how to do laundry
If you don’t know how to do your laundry, start learning pronto. You don’t want a horrific shrinkage incident at school (that’s just embarrassing)! Ask your parents to teach you and don’t forget to pack a ton of quarters with you to college. Unfortunately, doing laundry at school isn’t as convenient as doing it at home. For starters, your laundry room may not be in your dorm. Plus, you have to pay every time you wash and dry your clothes. To prevent a rude awakening, research your college’s laundry policy before your first load!
39. Broaden your eating horizons
Hate to be the bearer of bad news to all you picky eaters, but dining halls typically have limited options. Instead of resorting to a bowl of cereal every night, try some exotic foods this summer. From a set of super spicy buffalo wings to that Japanese dish you can barely pronounce, taking some eatery risks will make you more willing to try new food in the dining hall.
40. Create a professional email account
Sure, you have your school email; however, a lot of collegiettes have a professional email as well. Gone are the days when xoMrsBieberxo@[insert web carrier here] was acceptable. Scratch that – was it ever acceptable? Now that you’re a mature college girl, create an email address that incorporates your first and last name. Believe it or not, there are people with the same name as you (the nerve). You may have to add numbers if these “name thieves” created a professional email before you—but only two numbers! Anymore and your email is officially confusing and unprofessional. If you want to go the extra mile, you can forward all your school emails to this new and improved address. This feat is not only for the tech savvy- most schools’ websites will tell you how to do this. If you’re looking for a collegiette-approved email carrier, Gmail is easy to use and you can have super cute backgrounds.
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