4 Things To Plan Before Going Away For College

Starting college and leaving the nest for the very first time is a huge life change and something every high school student looks forward to. However, it’s not all just fun and games. Starting college is your first shot at taking on life with independence, looking after yourself and making your own decisions.

That being said, you’ll want to make sure you’re well prepared before you leave home and try to make it on your own. While you can always lean on your parents and friends for advice, it’s still best to be prepared. Here are four things to plan before you go.

Budget

Living on your own means you’re going to need to plan out your finances. Whether you’ll be living off an allowance, working part-time to earn some cash or a combination of the two, you’ll need to make sure your money gets you where you need to be.

Paying for food, gas, and any other essentials is your priority. After that, you’ll want to try to save a little and of course, leave some money over to enjoy. Hopefully, you’ll be able to save some money during the summertime as a kick starter to your college finances.

Transport

You’ll also need to think about how you’ll get around when you’re in college. Consider options like public transport or a lift club with your dorm mates if you’re not interested in ridesharing services.

If you already own a car of your own, you might find it a fun experience to road trip down to your new college. However, if you’re going to be studying far away from home and need to catch a flight, then auto shipping is probably your best option. Having your own car in your college years offers a lot of freedom, so if you don’t have one, you might try to save up.

Accommodation

Where you’ll be living during the semester is probably something you’ve already figured out, but don’t forget to think about the finer details. For example, if you’ll be living on campus, find out about dorm room restrictions and figure out exactly what you need for your dorm room.

Some college dorms come more fully equipped than others, and you don’t want to show up lacking some bare essentials. You should also try to find out who your dorm mates might be and get in touch with them beforehand to coordinate who might buy what for the room.

Your Routine for college

Developing a daily routine for college can benefit you in a number of ways. From keeping yourself healthy to maintaining a good academic standard, routines are a real lifesaver.

Try to come up with a few routines to implement once you’re away from home. A morning routine to set your day up right, a study routine to help you stay on top of your work, and an evening routine to make sure you get enough rest and set yourself up for another productive day.

Gary is a TEFL certified English language instructor and teacher trainer. He has a strong academic background and a rich experience in teaching students of diverse cultures. He likes helping learners to overcome their English learning barriers. His strengths are in creating a positive learning environment, applying learners centered strategies, and having a passion for teaching. He teaches in a state school in Orlando.