College is coming up fast; be ready
The 18-year-old Dixon High School graduate, who is headed to Northwestern University in September, already is checking things off her "to do" list. Keeping a list and e-mail reminders from the school have helped her stay on track, she said.
"I've seen it with my friends. You stress yourself out more than everything that you're doing stresses you out. If you feel overwhelmed, you're going to be overwhelmed," Dvorak said. "If you tell yourself that you can get everything done, you will."
Dvorak started early by filling out her financial aid paperwork. There's a lot more to do - orientation, registration, bank accounts, housing, packing ... the list goes on.
School officials said it's the gritty details that derail some students. Many are relieved that the search for a school finally has ended, and they think they can relax and enjoy the summer. Waiting until the last minute could mean not getting the classes they need though, or, even worse, not having housing.
Here's a checklist of things to do before school starts:
July
Orientation: Many colleges and universities have orientations where you meet with an academic adviser, then prepare to register for classes. Although orientations aren't mandatory at every college, they are highly recommended, so you get a good start to the school year.
"We certainly encourage students at Northern Illinois University to attend orientation," said Denise Rode, orientation director at the university in DeKalb. "Orientation is the key to a successful transition to a large, comprehensive university such as ours."
More than 95 percent of the university's 3,000 new freshmen and 90 percent of its 3,000 transfer students participate in orientation, Rode added.
At Sauk Valley Community College, tours and information sessions are available on an individual basis by appointment through the admissions office or by attending "Discover Sauk" during the regular academic year.
Register: Although universities and colleges often advertise class registration as ongoing during the summer, you have the best chance of getting good class times by registering as soon as possible. Scheduling can be especially important for students who have work or family commitments. Seats in first-year courses often fill up quickly, and courses that require lab work also fill up fast because of limited lab space.
"New students are encouraged to register for courses by the end of their orientation day, after meeting with their academic advisers," Rode said.
NIU also offers an hour-long
orientation course that provides an overview of the college.
Sauk Valley Community College's one-hour orientation course is part of the college's graduation requirement. It covers academic planning, expectations/responsibility of the college student, college resources, services, opportunities for involvement, goal-setting and student success skills.
"This course is designed to help students make the transition into college and enhance their academic success," said Janet Matheney, coordinator of counseling at Sauk.
Housing: Some schools don't have enough dorms to house all freshmen. Northern has about 6,000 residents, so it's crucial to sign up as soon as possible. If you aren't 100 percent certain you will attend a school, sign up for housing anyway. You may lose your deposit if you go elsewhere, but at least you will have a spot if you attend that school.
Students are encouraged to visit www.housing.niu.edu, which provides information about moving to DeKalb and to NIU, said Joshua Johnson, assistant director for marketing and public affairs.
The opening day Web site, www.housing.niu.edu,also provides a short video about moving in and what to expect and maps to help freshman new to the campus.
Sauk's student housing, Sauk Commons, has 144 beds and two- and four-student apartments. Private tours are available by appointment or take a virtual tour at www.svcc.edu/saukcommons.
Tour: Take a guided tour of the university or college. College and university officials said students who live in the school's area sometimes don't bother with a tour because they've already been to the campus, but a tour will give you more insight into the campus, as well information on special services, such as tutoring.
Contact your roommate: Right about now, students who live on campus likely will get their room and roommate assignments. Alan Ready, managing director of Sauk Commons, suggests contacting your roommate as early as possible to see who has the best television, DVD, stereo, computer or game system.
Budget: Now is the time to start saving for college expenses, especially textbooks. Books can cost almost $1,000 a year at some schools so saving now will help ease the pain when it comes to book-buying time. If you work part-time, you may want to ask your boss for extra hours.
Banking: If you're living on campus or moving to another state, you will need a bank account nearby. If you are a young student who will rely on money from the parents, consider a branch that will allow them to easily make deposits into your account.
Car or no car?: Students who live on campus should decide whether they are bringing a car with them. Unless you have an off-campus job or family responsibilities, you may want to leave it at home and save on parking. Officials say 72 percent of students who lived on campus last year reported using their car once a week or less.
Clarify your goals: Write out what your college goals are. For instance, if your goal is to get a bachelor's degree in four years, what do you need to do each year? Will you have to attend summer school or can you finish the requirements during the regular year? Talk to your college adviser. College officials said students with good, solid goals are more likely to succeed.
Rode said NIU incorporates long- and short-term goal-setting in its orientation class.
"Students who don't have goals often are at risk for leaving college before achieving a degree," Rode said. "Northern, like many other universities, offers resources to help students succeed and strives to provide the necessary resources to help them do so. The key is for students to take advantage of the available resources."
"Both academic and personal goals are very important, because they help students gain a sense of purpose, direction and may even increase motivation," Matheney said. "Written short and long term goals help students clarify what they want to accomplish and set reasonable time frames for completion."
August
Pack: Closet space in dorms is limited, so think twice about what clothes to bring. You don't need as many warm clothes in milder climates. Most dorms are equipped with a bed, desk, desk chair and some sort of chest of drawers. Many dorms have their room layout available online.
Sauk has furnished rooms with all the essentials, including alarm clock, curtains and bedding. Ready suggests a couple more items, including a raincoat, umbrella, calendar, carpet cleaner and desk lamp.
Prepare to move: Arrive on the day or days the university sets aside for moving in. Residence halls offer special orientations and activities that week that are designed to help you meet people and get acquainted with the university. You need time to adjust and explore the campus.
"We strongly recommend that students move in on the first day to maximize their adjustment," Rode said. "There's a lot going on the weekend before classes begin, and friendships form early because everyone's new to the environment and eager to meet their classmates. Arriving just before classes begin means that new students miss some of the initial experiences that lead to a positive adjustment to college life."
Walk the campus: One of the biggest stresses the first week of school is finding your classes. Take your schedule and walk the campus the week before school starts. Find out where your classes will be, and how much time it takes to get between buildings. If you drive to school, scope out the parking lots ahead of time. Look for "backup" parking lots in case your first choice is full the first day of class.
Rode also suggests keeping an open mind about roommates, majors, classes and extracurricular activities.
"The first few weeks and months of college can be a time of great discovery and growth if you're open to new people, experiences and possibilities," she said. "At the same time, don't abandon the values and background that have shaped who you are when you arrive on campus."
Reach Olivia Cobiskey at (815) 625-3600, (815) 284-2222 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 570.
Gannett News Service contributed to this report.
