This is the time of year when high school students start receiving acceptance letters from different universities. Congratulations on taking the first big step toward becoming a college student! However, there may still be a bit of confusion among those who are clueless about what to do next. Here are a few tips that will be helpful in guiding you through this process:
1.) Apply for FAFSA: This stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Whether you think you will receive financial aid or not, this is a big must! Although it may seem a bit tedious, this process is extremely important. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, the different universities you choose to send this information to will notify you of the financial aid you have qualified for, including loans. You can choose to accept or deny these awards, depending on your financial needs. This is a first-come, first-serve basis and everyone is completing their applications around this time, so try to complete this application as soon as possible!
2.) Choose your dorm, roommate, meal plan (if your school offers this option) etc. Do not stress too much if you do not know who you want your roommate to be. I roomed with someone I did not know my freshman year and we got along great! And even if you do not get along with your roommate, you can always switch dorms if you speak with your residence hall assistants.
3.) Enjoy your time with friends and family if you are going to a university away from home. You will be homesick once school starts so take advantage of the summer after high school to enjoy time with your loved ones.
4.) Do not stress if you are undecided about your major. Trust me! There are more important things to worry about. There will be plenty of guidance and support for choosing a major once you get to college.
5.) Never stop applying for scholarships! Whether you have most of your expenses covered or not, there is free money out there so grab it! Yes, I know those scholarship essays are annoying but who does not want $1,000 for writing a 2-page paper that took 30 minutes to complete? Hope these tips help. Good luck!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OK State chapter.