Hey high school grads! You finally did it! Caps flew in the air, family and friends cheered, and now you are on the brink of a new adventure: college. With summer in full swing and the fall semester quickly approaching, it’s time to make the most of your summer while also preparing for this exciting new chapter. Lucky for you, here at Class 101 Cypress, we’ve got the ultimate summer guide for college prep. 

I’m Hannah, a current college student from right here in Cypress who went through the same frazzled countdown you are all experiencing right now. I am going to give you some advice and tips to help you prep for this daunting yet exciting new chapter. From nabbing those must-have dorm essentials to bonding with your roomies and squeezing in quality time with family and friends, I’ve got your back. So grab a pen, a notepad, and a cold drink, and kick back while I fill you in on the tips that got me through my summer before freshman year at college!

Exploring Your Future Home

First things first, if you have not already toured your campus, I would. Whether your school is close to home or far away, getting a feel for where you will be spending the next few years of your life will help you start imagining yourself there and feeling more comfortable and ready to leave home. 

Creating a Home Away from Home

Now that the fall semester is approaching, you (and your parents) are probably thinking, “Good gracious, what on earth do I need to buy!?” Well, I’ve got you covered. We have compiled a list of some Class 101 dorm essentials for your first semester away. Some items include a mattress topper to add comfort to those springy dorm beds, bathroom and clothing organizers, some decorations to make the space feel more “you,” as well as noise-canceling headphones for when you need to get some studying done but your roommate is singing in the shower. Click here to view the full list! 

Decluttering for a Fresh Start

If you’ve never been motivated to declutter during the “Spring Cleaning” season but have been needing to for a while, now is the time! Moving out of home and into college is a great time to go through all of your clothes and drawers of random items that have been collected since your birth and determine what is important enough for you to keep and bring. When I decluttered and started packing for school, I followed the infamous Marie Kondo method. This method is the idea of getting rid of anything that does not bring you joy. Which basically refers to anything that doesn’t get frequent use, doesn’t bring happy memories to mind, or is not a daily source of joy and inspiration. By cleaning out and going through all of your clothes and other items, you can not only do some necessary organization but decide what you find important enough to bring with you for a fresh start. 

Getting to Know Your Roommates

One of the best ways to prepare for the transition to college is to take some time over the summer to get to know your future roommates. Think about it – getting to know each other before sharing a tiny dorm room can help build that sweet harmony right from the start. You can talk about your expectations, find common interests, and even learn about each other’s quirks and habits. 

I am especially happy I did this because instead of walking into my dorm and meeting strangers, I was basically greeting friends. Because we were out-of-state students and all found each other off of Facebook or Instagram, we knew nothing about each other at the start. However, in order to figure out if we were good fits for each other, I made a roommate questionnaire and shared it with the girls. This helped us to talk about things that may not have otherwise come up until later. Not only did doing this open up a line of communication between the four of us, but it also helped us to build excitement toward living together rather than nerves. It’s all about that open communication, trust, and feeling like you’ve got each other’s backs. 

Cherishing Valuable Moments

Last, but definitely not least, I have one final tip for all of you: cherish the time you spend with your friends and family this summer before embarking on your exciting new adventure. These incredible people have not only played integral roles in your life but have also helped shape you into the amazing person you are today. Because you are entering a new era of life, things will change, so It’s important to make the most of these precious moments. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, organizing a movie night with your closest friends, or simply enjoying heartfelt conversations over a cozy dinner, seize the opportunity to express gratitude, share laughter, and reminisce about cherished memories. These special moments will become treasured anchors of support and love as you transition into college life.