Essential Steps for a Successful Freshman Year at College

Many students don’t realize all of the logistics that go into preparing for a successful first year of college.

They need to register for courses, sign up for housing, manage their finances, get to know people on campus, learn where their classes are…not to mention the coursework is usually more challenging than what they’re accustomed to.

As a result, 30% of college freshmen in the US drop out before their sophomore year, and as many as 50% of freshmen fail at least one introductory class. (And with the average college course costing $1,667, failing even one class can come at a big cost!)

When it comes to preparing for the first semester of college, students don’t know what they don’t know. 

So we put together a list of questions we like to ask our students to make sure they’re ready for the transition to college.

Whether your student is about to embark on the college journey for the first time, or returning to campus after a rocky start, we hope this will help set them up for success this fall.

Preparing for the transition to college

Accessing and using college email

Once a student is accepted to a college and assigned their school email address, they’re going to be inundated with emails…and they’re almost all important. We’ve seen students miss housing deadlines, orientation emails, and even course registration emails! Here are some things for students to consider to help them avoid these mistakes.

• Do they have access to their college email?
• Do they know how to check it?
• Are they checking it every day?
• Are they reading each email carefully, clicking all links, and making note of any important dates?
• How are they keeping track of emails they need to take action on but can’t deal with immediately?
• Are they keeping their inbox clear by deleting or archiving emails they have taken action on?

Setting up housing logistics

There are usually a lot of steps to apply and sign up for housing, a meal plan, etc, so it’s good to check in and make sure they’ve gotten it all taken care of.

• What is the deadline to register for campus housing? 
• Have they signed up for housing and received their confirmation?
• Have they purchased everything they’ll need for their dorm room (Towels, sheets, small bookshelf, a microwave, a fan, décor, etc) and coordinated plans with their roommates (who will bring what?)
• What are the meal plan options, and what is the deadline to decide? 
• Where can they use their meal plan (on and off campus options)?
• Are they able to take a car to campus? If so, have they purchased the necessary parking permit?

Registering for the right courses

The courses students choose in their first semester will have a huge impact on whether or not they thrive on campus. By giving careful thought to which courses they choose, they can find the right balance of meeting requirements and enjoying their curriculum, so that they don’t end up overwhelmed or burnt out. Here are some things to consider:

• How does registration work at their college? Are there any tutorial videos or information to review that will help them prepare, or another student or resident advisor they could meet with to walk them through the process?
• When are they able to register for their fall and spring classes? 
• Can they register anytime after this date/time, or is registration only available for a limited amount of time?
• Are there any holds on their account or requirements (immunization forms, meetings with their advisor) that must be completed before they are eligible to register?
• How many classes / hours are they planning to take in their first semester?
• What 1st year classes are required for any majors and/or minors are they interested in pursuing?
• Are they interested in the classes that they are planning to register for?
• What are the ideal times of day and days of the week for them to have classes, taking into account when they are naturally most focused and alert, and when they already have other scheduled commitments (work, sports, etc.)? 
• Have they used Rate My Professors or similar tools to check reviews for the professors who teach the courses they are planning to register for?
• Have they signed up for a time to review their course plan with their advisor before registering for their classes? If not, how can they set this up?
• Do they have a list of backup courses they can register for if their first choices are full? 

Setting up accommodations

If a student has a physical, emotional, or learning disability, it’s a good idea to get their accommodations set up as soon as possible.

• Where is the student support center on campus, and what services do they offer?
• What accommodations are available based on your student’s needs?
• Have they already set up these accommodations? If not, what steps do they need to follow to get these in place? 
• Do they already have all the information they will need, or do they need to reach out to their doctors for additional documentation?
• Do they know how to notify professors of their accommodations? (This is handled differently at each college. Some school disability centers send letters directly to the professors, while some schools require students to log into their student portal and request letters be sent.)
• If students are eligible for extra time, where will they go to take their exams? Do they need to register ahead of time or send their professor reminders for extended time on each exam, and if so how far in advance does this need to happen?

Getting connected

A student’s social and academic connections on campus will play a big role in how well they do at college. And getting connected can start as early as orientation, which is an important time to start making friends, researching clubs and organizations, and getting to know their campus environment.

• Have they registered for orientation?
• Have they talked with their roommate and/or suitemates?
• Have they reached out to any students they know from high school going to the same college? 
• Have they found a website or group on social media (Facebook, Discord, etc) where they can find out about social events on campus?
• Have they looked into any campus clubs or organizations?
• Have they checked if their school offers a freshman mentor program?
• If they are introverted, do they have a plan for how can they make an effort to push outside of their comfort zone? (for example, could they try making “yes” their default answer when invited to hang out with new friends?)

Succeeding once they get to campus

Getting to know campus

Students might think that because they did a campus tour when they were looking at colleges, or got a tour during orientation, they already “know” the campus. But some campuses are very big and confusing, and students might have a 15-minute or more walk from their dorm to their first class, or between classes. It’s a great idea for students to map out their routes before classes begin, and learn where all important campus resources are.

• Have they done a campus tour?
• Have they mapped out all of their classes and figured out the most efficient routes to get to them? 
• Do they know how long it will take to get to each class?
• Do they know where the dining hall / campus eateries are, and when they are open?
• If they’re taking a car to campus, do they know where they’re allowed to park?
• Do they know how to access public transportation?
• Do they know where to do laundry?
• Do they know where the library is and when it’s open?
• Do they know where their academic advisor’s office is, and how to schedule a meeting with them?

Preparing for classes

College classes bring about a new world of independence for most students. Most college professors aren’t likely to hand out paper syllabi on the first day of class. In fact, many professors expect students to have familiarized themselves with the syllabus, curriculum, and expectations before class even begins. College professors are very unlikely to accept, “I didn’t know it was due today” as an excuse.

• Have they logged into their university’s course management system (i.e. Blackboard, Canvas, etc.)?
• Have they downloaded all their course syllabi?
• Have they thoroughly reviewed each syllabus?
• Do they understand how the course components will be weighted for each class?
• Do they know exactly where each assignment will be posted?
• Do they know where/how to turn in their assignments?
• Do they have a calendar/planner system set up to track due dates and plan ahead for assignments, quizzes, exams, etc.?
• Have they set up a system to track their grades, and reminders to check them daily or weekly?
• Are there any discussion boards or other external sites listed on the syllabus? If so, have they bookmarked those sites?
• Have they purchased all of their books, including access to any online textbook websites?
• Have they purchased all other school supplies like binders, notebooks, a planner, etc?
• Have they thought about how they’ll set up their organization system?
• Do they have a plan for how to get to class consistently (even if they don’t feel like going)?
• Do they have a plan for where to study if it’s too hard to focus in their dorm? (For more on creating an ideal study environment, check out our blog post here.)
• Do they have good study habits and note-taking strategies that they’re confident will work for them?
• Have they thought about when they’re going to study and do their assigned reading? (most college classes require at least 1-2 hours/week outside of class per credit hour)

Getting support

There’s so much campus support that students don’t take advantage of! And showing that they’re making an effort to get support when needed speaks volumes to professors. In fact, professors are so much more willing to offer support and grace if they can see that a student is dedicated.

• Do they know when their professor’s office hours are?
• Do they plan to attend office hours at least once per week?
• Have they met their academic advisor?
• Have they signed up for tutoring and support sessions?
• Have they joined (or started!) any study groups?
• Do they know where the campus writing center, career center, and other support centers are?
• Have they discussed their plans for calling home and how they will let their parents know if they are struggling? 
• Have they signed a release form so parents can get access to their grades? 
• Have they personally introduced themselves to each professor?
• Would they benefit from working with an Academic Coach?

Staying healthy

For the first time in their lives, students heading off to college are fully responsible for their well-being. While it can be tempting for them to stay up until 3 am and eat cereal for every meal, being intentional about creating a healthy lifestyle will keep them feeling good and motivated throughout the year.

• Do they know where the campus gym is? 
• Do they have an exercise plan or routine?
• Do they know where they’ll get snacks and food for their dorm?
• Do they know the food options in the dining hall?
• Have they chosen a few healthy meals they can make on their own if the dining hall is closed?
• Do they have medications they’ll need to take with them? If so, do they know how and when to refill them?
• If they take stimulant medication, do they have a plan for how they’ll keep that medication safe? 
• Do they have a plan for getting enough sleep?
• Do they know how to schedule an appointment at the campus health center?
• Do they have emergency campus numbers programmed in their phone?

Managing finances

For many students, college marks the beginning of managing their own budget and finances! Building strong habits now will not only ensure they can make ends meet while they’re at school, but also can help set them up for a lifetime of good money habits.

• Have they confirmed the amount of financial aid or scholarship money they’ll be receiving?
• Are they planning to get a part-time job, and if so how much do they need to earn each week/month?
• Will they be receiving any additional money from family? If so, will this be as needed or on a weekly, monthly, or semester basis?
• Do they have a budget and/or spending plan?
• Who will be responsible for paying college-related bills (tuition, meal plan, housing?)
• Are there any other bills they will be responsible for? (utilities, groceries, gas, car payment?) 
• Do they know how to access their bank account?
• Do they know where the closest ATM is on campus?
• Do they know how to write a check?

Networking

It might seem early to start thinking about networking in their very first semester on campus, but if they start now, they can really set themselves up for success in their adult lives and careers!

• Have they signed up for campus clubs and activities? (A great way to meet people AND build transferable skills)
• Have they thought about volunteering?
• Do they know what services are offered at the campus career center?
• Have they looked up the dates and times for upcoming on-campus career fairs?
• Have they joined LinkedIn?
• Have they considered getting a summer internship or job in their desired field? If so, do they know what the application deadlines would be for these positions?

Final thoughts

As you’ve seen from the list above, there are so many things to consider when preparing for a successful first year of college. 

This might seem a little overwhelming now, but it’s all manageable!

Yes, the logistics are important. But it’s not just about the to-do list.

For many of you, this summer is the last time your student will live at home. This time you have together is precious, and your relationship with them is much more important than any to-do list.

If you’re having a hard time enjoying quality time together because there are so many things to do, consider setting aside a dedicated daily or weekly time (e.g. Sundays after dinner) to discuss the to-do list so you can spend the rest of your time enjoying their company.

And if you think your student could benefit from some extra support during their college transition and might be more receptive to getting help from someone who isn’t their parent, we would love to help! 

If you’d like to learn more about how we can support your student, click here to set up a FREE Parent Strategy Session.

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About The Author

Dr. Maggie Wray is a certified ADHD Coach & Academic Life Coach with a Ph.D. in Neurobiology and Behavior from Cornell and a Bachelor’s degree in Astrophysics from Princeton. She founded Creating Positive Futures in 2012 to help high school and college students learn how to earn better grades with less stress. Her team of dedicated coaches is on a mission to empower students to develop the mindset, organization, time management, and study skills they need to achieve their goals.