College Preparation

Complete college planning takes a lot of coordination and effort on your part. You must consult with the right professionals and capitalize on the right resources as you map out your education. On this page, we'll tell you how to prepare for college scholastically, financially, and psychologically.

Speak with an Adviser

Before you proceed with any of your plans, you should speak with an academic adviser from your college or university. Complete college planning is much easier when you have the input and feedback of an academic professional. You may even be able to speak with an academic adviser or admissions counselor before you're officially admitted depending on the policies of your school. When you meet with the adviser, speak with her about your academic goals and what degrees and courses will facilitate the achievement of those goals. Advisers can recommend a set of courses that will begin fulfilling the requirements for your degree without overwhelming you.

Contact the Financial Aid Office

Of course, a major part of the complete college planning process is figuring out how you will pay for your education. As soon as you're admitted, get in touch with your school's financial aid department. Even if you don't plan to borrow student loans, you can still use the department as a resource for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance. Typically, your school will assign a financial aid consultant or adviser to you once you're admitted. This adviser can tell you how to apply for federal student aid, institution-specific scholarships, and more. Don't forget to ask the financial aid adviser for an estimate of your costs for each academic term. Make sure this figure includes books and miscellaneous fees as well.

Purchase Supplies

The final step of complete college planning and preparation is purchasing the supplies you will need once you start classes. If you choose an online college or university, you will need to have access to an Internet-enabled computer, printer, and all of the software your school requires you to have. Whether you take your classes online or at a traditional campus, you'll also need to purchase textbooks. Your college's bookstore will be able to tell you what texts you need for each class. In most cases, you can purchase your textbooks online and have them shipped to you. Some online learning programs also allow students to download the required readings. Make sure you order your books early enough to have them delivered before the first day of class.