The Summer Before College: How to Prepare

Jul 8, 2021 • Rachel F.

Attending college is an exciting chapter in your life, and with that comes preparation and responsibility. Your college search is finally over and now that you’ve made your decision, it’s time to get rolling! Here are some ways you can get ahead on your college preparation over the summer that I’ve learned over the years as a Liberty student.

1. Know Your Deadlines

Liberty doesn’t have a deadline to apply, but they do have deadlines for other important steps once you’ve been accepted! For example, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is usually due at the end of June for the academic year and must be submitted in order to receive any financial aid. 96% of Liberty students receive some sort of financial aid, so you definitely don’t want to forget to apply for the FAFSA! You’ll also need to complete your Math and English Assessments, register for your college courses, complete your student health form, and more. Most importantly, you’ll want to complete Financial Check-In as soon as possible.

2. Buy What You Can Now

When I first got to Liberty, most of the back-to-school shelves were cleared out. My suggestion would be to buy what you want before you get to campus to ensure you get everything you need. You’ll find this is the case in August and January as many students are either moving into dorms for the first time or settling back in for another semester. If you aren’t able to buy the majority of what you need beforehand, not to worry, as it’s usually restocked by the next week or so – but plan ahead for that. Amazon Prime will be your best friend during this time!

3. Get Organized

Transitioning from high school to college is a big change that comes with a lot of responsibility. The moment you step onto campus, you’re no longer dependent on your parents or teachers. They won’t be there to remind you about assignments or help you manage your time. This change is a tough one but it’s one you can prepare for! My suggestion would be to invest in a planner or planning app that can help create a set schedule that you can easily adapt to when you start classes.

4. Prepare for Classes

You might be wondering how you can prepare for your classes when they haven’t even started yet. There are actually plenty of ways to prepare, and you’ll be glad you did! After you register for classes, you’ll have access to the course syllabus and you can see what textbooks you’ll need to purchase. As someone graduating college, when it comes to taking notes, I would suggest having one form of note taking, whether it be typing on your computer or a pen and paper. If you have time, you can even read ahead so that you’re less overwhelmed with schoolwork and have a smooth adjustment to college life.

5. Make a Liberty Bucket List

You’re attending, in my opinion (which might be a little biased), one of the coolest schools in the nation for student life so make the most of it! There is so much to do on and off campus. You can check out all the different coffee shops and restaurants or enjoy different recreational activities like horseback riding and year-round skiing and snowboarding. If you’re wanting to learn about all that Liberty has to offer for students, you’re in the right place. The residential blog is a great place to hear from current students about the different activities and events on campus! As a student, I know how overwhelming it can be to want to do everything but not knowing where to start. When I first became a student, I wish I would have created a Liberty Bucket List, so now I always try to encourage incoming students to create one

6. Have Fun!

You only start college once so try not to get too stressed or overwhelmed and forget to have fun. Attending Liberty is a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll always want to remember so make the most of it!

Congratulations on becoming a Liberty Flame! Words can’t describe how thankful I am that I chose a Christ-centered college with an such an incredible community. I hope that you’ll find yourself saying the same in four years. Have fun getting ready for college!