Avoid Senior Year Scaries with These College Prep Tips

Making the jump from high school to college can be a very intimidating, life-changing event. Many students end up taking a leap of faith into the unknown with their chances of success being uncertain. However, you can be proactive in minimizing any stress factors and increasing your chances of coming out of it with everything you hoped to gain. Let College Funding of Tampa Bay show you valuable college prep tips to make your journey easier on the mind and body.

Dealing With Stress

Regardless of what kind of person you are (maybe you’re a dedicated studyholic or you like to prioritize time with friends), every high school graduate goes through their own version of stress when it comes to getting into college. The idea of becoming completely independent after moving away from home or having to start over by making new friends can be too much to bear. There are a few things you can do to help ease your anxieties so you can focus better on your studies.

Manage Your Expectations

No matter how well you are doing in your high school classes, it’s important to realize that college is likely to be much more challenging. It’s a good idea to mentally prepare for the increased difficulty. You can also expect a drastic change in the social scene. While high schools are notorious for having stereotypical cliques and tight-knit friend groups, college campuses are easier in that regard since students are more focused on passing their classes rather than figuring out who the cool people are.

Identify Your Available Resources

Many colleges offer free resources available to students to help with mental health and studying. After you’ve decided on a college to attend, introduce yourself to the counselor, find out the number for text line support, and seek out support groups to count on for an emotional boost during your times of need.

Learn Effective Coping Strategies

Everyone has their own way of coping with stress, so it’s better to find a healthy way that works for you. It can also help to learn of any signs or triggers that you may experience beforehand so you can take action sooner than later. Triggers can be anything from drastic changes in eating or sleeping habits to sudden outbursts of anger or frustration. A few proven ways to cope with signs of stress include:

• Meditation and/or breathing exercises
• Journaling (even if it’s on social media)
• Breaking down large tasks into small, easy steps
• Regularly checking in with a loved one

What You Can Do Before College

A great way to prevent stressful outcomes is to do what you can during high school to pave the way for a more smooth transition into college. The main thing is to research all possible colleges and narrow down your search to the ones you like the most. Which ones have degrees and curricula that interests you? How close or far is it from home? Can you afford it? Rather than waiting until the last minute to find a college, you’ll have a much easier time getting accepted and being ready for any obstacles the sooner you find out where you want to go. Additional things you can do to turn your vast leap into a simple step include:

• Looking into financial aid programs and calculating your expenses
• Planning out your classes the best you can
• Introducing yourself to the school counselor
• Trying out volunteer opportunities relating to your degree
• Attending campus events to familiarize yourself with the area

We Can Help!

If you need help working out the details of your future college life, the friendly advisors at College Funding of Tampa Bay are here for you! Give us a call anytime at (813) 755-6834 to speak with an expert. We’ll make sure you’re ready to earn the degree that you deserve.