I am a 19 year old boy and will be going to college in the fall, what should I know and expect?

Question

I graduated H.S. in 2006 June and took 2006-2007 to relax and I will attend college in Fall 2007, I know which college, and I will still live with and my parents will support me until I graduate college in 4 or 5 years. Also,
1. Can you tell me about the process it is after applying and getting accepted, what do you do next, who do you meet with?
2. Can you tell me all about orientation, when is it usually, and what do they talk about, show, etc.?
3. When I chose a major (business), can I chose whatever classes, or do i have to take the ones required, or can I have my schedule made by student services for me?
4. What are all other things I can do to prepare for this fall in college?
Please let me know as much as you can. This would mean a lot to me. Thank you.

University College/

Answer 1

Hey. I think it's great you took a year off between high school and the start of college. Wish I had done the same, so that I could have worked or volunteered someplace --- hopefully matured and "found" myself before entering college.

After you're accepted to your university, you'll want to meet with an academic adviser (preferably your permanent one, if possible) at your university. Schools typically have incoming students meet their advisers during the summer orientation.

The orientation can get dull at times, but don't miss out on it. Your school will provide you with a ton of info you'll likely find useful during your years there --- everything from contact information to insider tips on myriad activities and procedures (registration, clubs, getting on honor's roll, etc.). Chances are you'll meet some people, too.

You have control over what classes you take. At the orientation, you will probably register for your fall semester with the help of another student or adviser. This person can help and guide you, but you are by no means "stuck" with the classes you sign up for with this person's aid. Familiarize yourself with the school's online registration program, and ask questions if you're confused. That way you'll encounter few problems when you try to switch classes on your own later, should you need to.

Focus on the academics. In a new environment, it's easy to worry about the social aspect of things and get distracted from your priority: getting good grades as you work on your undergraduate degree. Of course, students who are involved in student activities (be they sports or clubs, etc.) tend to feel more a part of the campus community and do well academically as a result. Organize your time. Keep a planner to write down your assignments and daily appointments. Don't be afraid to meet instructors during their office hours or to contact them via email/phone. They are there to assist you. Meet with your academic adviser and/or stay in touch with him or her regarding your academic concerns and questions. Take advantage of your campus' learning services center if necessary. There is no shame in using it, and again, they're there for your benefit. They can help you with everything from tutoring to study skills and time management.

Answer 2

well, it would have helped if you told us WHAT school your going to, then I would be able to be more specific (community or University).

Im assuming your talking about a University though. So before I say anything I want to URGE you to live in a dorn AWAY from your parents. college is a very important developing time where you meet friends who will stay with you for the rest of your life. Not to mention the parties and social envirement on campus. Also, you learn independence. Thats not gonna happen if your at home. Now to your Questions:

1. Do not procrastinate on meeting with a counselor! I learned this the hard way when I was at a junior college. Long story short, I ended up taking the WRONG classes and it put me two years behind. So get a clear plan!

2. Orientation is before the fall classes start and they give you a tour of the essential parts of the campus. At this time, you can also meet your fellow classmates.

3. You have to take General Education classes but they dont require you to take them first. You can jump right into the classes for your major. Or, you could just take a few unrelated classes to find what your interested in. So to answer your question, you pick your own schedule, but a counselor will/can help you.

4. Just get ready for more work. Also, in college, your pretty much an independent learner because the professor wont hold your hand. You have to motivate yourself. Email me for more questions: [e-mail]

Answer 3

The process usually goes. You send in the required essay (check the schools website or call them). When you get accepted, because of your incredible essay you wrote (and your grades and extra activities you were involved in), you'll then pick classes. You can pick which ever class to take first, just as long as you're in your level. You will be taking a placement exam to determine your level.

The orientation is when you learn where what in the school. And all the no-sense that you don't really have to worry to much about.

When you do choose a major, and you don't have to until maybe sophomore year, you'll want to take the required classes for the major. Of course, there will be your basic english, math, and science. Which is required to a certain level regardless of your major.

And one of the great things about college is, when girls are from out of town and living on their own for the first time, they love company. And with company, you get lots of it. What....? Yes. You know what I'm talking about. Now go get them and make your daddy proud.

Answer 4

Oh, lucky you! In my state, we have to go staight to college after graduating in order to recieve a scholarship. Plus, I live on my own.

1. Applying and getting accepted is the easy part, given that you worked to maintain a nice and polished transcript with a solid GPA. After getting accepted to UNM, I had to call up the main office and schedule my orientation. It's all laid out for you, basically, if you meet with an advisor.

2. Orientation was mind-numbing for me. They put me down for the wrong semester, so I couldn't register for any classes and I was totally lost. This should not happen to you, but if it does, raise a giant fuss about all the money the college is sucking out of you, and some advisor will take your hand and help you out.
All they basically did at my orientation was have a group of new students tour the campus and pick their major, and we ate food and tried to be excited. Then, we registered for classes. This is usually on a first come first serve basis, so try to get in as fast as you can (we did all of our registering on computers). They just show you alot of Powerpoints with the college mascot and terrible advice on what to do when you are assailed by the local drunk at midnight on campus.
3. Ok, there is a nice list of core classes you're required to take. If you are smart, your ACT/SAT scores will have given you a boost up the class line. You can certainly take whatever classes you want, but not the big-shot classes. It's like climbing steps, you need to take the lower one to get to the higher one. It is definitely not as strict as high school.
4. If you do not have a job, it is cake to pass classes if you take time to study. I work full time and got to school full time and managed to squeeze away with a 3.4 GPA. Also, do not freak out and think that college is super hard. It is more relaxed and not so high strung as high school, because you are taking your own classes, not just rigid courses. Believe me, I just finished my first year, and it just becomes easy. If you are being supported by your parents, college will be a breeze!

Answer 5

you should have applied for housing already and received the housing assignment if you are to live on campus. you meet up with nice people that are willing to help you. usually there are students that are rather familiar with the school that have volunteered their time to help guide new students. that's their job as a part of whatever thing in the school.

orientation i have no idea i haven't gone to it yet haha usually it's in the summer before school starts...maybe even in july. show what clubs there are, what's on campus and stuff. dorms...food...area around the school.

you choose the classes you want to take. it is all your responsibility to meet all general education requirements and meeting the major's required courses to graduate with a bachelor's degree.

other things - make money if you don't have enough for the next 4 years. meet with professors in the department that you will be studying in to understand what programs are offered, study abroad things, etc.

this is totally being independent.


good luck, i'm on this journey too...so i hope i'm right to lead the both of us :)

Answer 6

Oh, ho! A collegiate waiting to happen, eh? Well, I'll pour out my hard-earned wisdom for you, such as it is. Here goes:

1. Every college is a little bit different as to what they want you to do and who they want you to see after getting accepted, but don't worry--they'll spell it out to you in very clear terms once you get accepted. With that said, even if it's not on the formal agenda, talk to the chair of your major's department. He or she is the guy/gal who can tell you everything you need to know about what to expect in your major, what classes to take, and so on. If you can't get an appointment with them, you might try the college's registrar (he or she is the "brain center" for all issues pertaining to class credit). Also, if you find out who your advisor/mentor is in advance, take a moment to drop by and get to know them a little. You'll be working with them from day one to the day you graduate.
2. Orientation varies so much by campus, I couldn't begin to tell you the what and when with any certainty. It usually happens either in the summer or right before class starts in the fall, and they often give general information about the campus, student groups and activities, loan/financial aid information, dining services, and so on. As with question #1, they'll tell you well in advance.
3. To complete your major, you can bet that you will have a list of classes that you need to take in order to graduate with a degree in that field. The good news is that with most majors and most schools, you WILL have some leeway to take classes that look fun or interesting to you, even if they don't fit exactly into your major or minor requirements. Just don't have TOO much fun with those other classes, though. Make sure you have everything you need to graduate on time, because there's no worse feeling than getting to your senior year and realizing that you didn't take care of business. That's why it's so important to talk to your mentor/advisor so you can have a "game plan" written out in advance.
4. Get ready to read A LOT; that was my biggest shock by far (and I love to read!). The material in college classes probably won't be that much harder than the classes you took in high school, but the amount of homework could very well be a rude awakening. Don't get overstressed, though, and just keep on working at it. You'll find that you get used to it soon enough. On a less academic note, get practice doing those little things your parents can't do for you forever, such as laundry and cooking :). Finally, I'll let you in on what is probably the single most important "secret" of college: MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE SECRETARIES! A friendly secretary can move mountains for you and get you access to people (ex. deans, department chairs, etc.) that normally might not give you the time of day.

Well, congrats on your upcoming entry in the wild, wild world of college, and good luck!

Answer 7

1. Fairly soon, you should start hearing from the college you are going to about upcoming events for incoming students. If you have financial aid business to take care of, that will have to happen before you register for classes usually. If you have a disability (including learning disabilities) and need to meet with someone to make accommodations for you, you should meet with someone about that. If you are considered to be an at-risk student (special admit, etc.), there may be sessions for you to attend during the summer. If you are a student-athlete, you may begin practices before school starts. Otherwise, chances are that the first thing you will attend is orientation.

2. Orientation used to be right before classes started, but more and more schools, especially private universities, have moved it to June. For us, anyway, it is a two-day process in which several things happen. You will get to know other students (important, since you will be a commuter student), you will get to hear from student leaders about how to approach the college experience, you will get to hear from people on the academic side (faculty or counselors) about what to expect in classes, there will be sessions on all kinds of things like the health center and study abroad, you may take placement tests in things like math and foreign languages, and you will register for classes. You will also probably get a campus tour (if you haven't already had one) so that you know where to find everything you need. Your parents may also be there, and if so, they may be separated out from the students and told about things that parents need to know; financial aid, how to be supportive without stifling you, etc.

3. When you register for classes, depending upon what your background is, you will probably be taking mostly required classes at first. As a business major, that usually means English, Math, and Economics, along with other things required of freshman business majors (ours take some combination of history, philosophy, communications, psychology, arts, and a few other things which don't immediately spring to mind). You may have a freshman class in business (like an Intro. to Business course), but otherwise, most of what you take is pretty standard for the first year. You will have more choice as you get farther into your program.

4. What can you do this summer? If your school has a common book they want all freshmen to read over the summer, read it thoroughly. It may get used in a number of your classes, such as English composition, and the better you know it, the less you will have to worry. Review your old math textbooks and foreign language textbooks, if you have them. You will probably have to take placement tests in these subjects, and the better you do, the less you will have to repeat of what you have learned already (so that you will be less bored). It has been a year since you were in school, so you may need a reminder. Make sure that you have a working computer before school starts. You don't want to be messing with that along with everything else once classes start. It sounds like you live near the campus, so you may also want to go over there in August (not too early, or they won't be ready for you), after orientation, to see if your textbooks are in the bookstore (to avoid huge lines on the first day) and find out where your classrooms are before the first day of classes. Most of all, enjoy your summer. You want to be excited, not stressed, when you start college in Fall. Good luck!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

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