What should I do the summer before college?

Finish paperwork and deadlines, plan your money and housing, prepare academically and practically, build life skills, and rest. A checklist helps you avoid missing steps.

Do I need to study over the summer?

Not intensively, but some light preparation can help, such as reading, refreshing key skills and exploring your courses. Rest is also important.

What paperwork is most important?

Final transcripts, immunization and health forms, aid acceptance, housing, course registration and, for international students, visa documents.

Should I work or save money?

Many students work to save for expenses. Balance work with rest and preparation.

How do I handle nerves?

Talk to future classmates, learn about support services and plan practical steps. Nerves are normal.

Staying on Track the Summer Before College: A Checklist

The summer after you accept an offer is a strange stretch of time. School is over, college has not started, and the future is both exciting and vague. Some students drift through it, and then scramble in August to complete forms they forgot. Others burn out trying to prepare for everything. The best approach lies in between: a modest plan that handles the essentials, builds a few skills and leaves room for rest and friends.

This guide offers a checklist and ideas for the summer between acceptance and the first term. Requirements vary by school, so follow your own school's instructions. This is general information.

Start with the essentials

Several tasks cannot wait.

Read every message from your college. Check your email and portal weekly.
List deadlines: deposit, housing, aid, health forms, registration, orientation.
Send final transcripts and any results your offer requires.
Accept or decline aid and scholarships, if you have not already.
Complete health, immunization and insurance forms.
For international students, apply for a visa and arrange travel documents.
Pay or arrange payment for tuition and fees.

Our guide to what to do after an admission letter lists the main steps.

Money

Money planning pays off.

Make a budget for the first year: tuition, housing, food, books, transport and personal costs.
Check your aid and the payment schedule.
Open a bank account if you need one, and learn how to manage it.
Plan how you will pay for books and supplies.
Consider part-time work during the year, and learn the rules.
Save from summer work for early expenses.
Learn about scams, including fake housing and fake scholarship offers.

Our wider guides on budgeting for students can help you build a simple plan.

Housing and moving

Complete housing applications and roommate questionnaires on time.
Read the rules about what you can bring.
Coordinate with a roommate about shared items.
Make a packing list, and avoid over-packing.
Plan transport: how you and your things will get there.
Arrange bedding and basics.
If living off campus, sign leases carefully and check deposits.

Wait to buy bulky items until you know your space.

Health and wellbeing

Schedule medical, dental and vision checks before you leave.
Update vaccinations as required.
Arrange insurance and understand how to use it.
Refill prescriptions and plan how to get more.
Learn about campus health and counseling services.
Establish habits: sleep, exercise and meals.
If you have a disability or health condition, contact the disability office early to arrange accommodations.

Taking care of health now makes the first weeks easier.

Academic preparation

You do not need to study hard, but some preparation helps.

Read the materials your college sends, such as summer reading or course lists.
Look at your course syllabi if they are available.
Refresh key skills, such as math, writing or a language, if you feel rusty.
Try a free online course or reading in your intended field.
Learn about the library and research tools your school provides.
Plan how you will study: time, place and tools.

If you are placed in a course you are nervous about, look for free resources. Keep it light and enjoyable.

Building life skills

College involves skills that school may not teach.

Cooking simple meals.
Laundry and cleaning.
Managing money and a budget.
Managing time and a calendar.
Communicating with roommates.
Asking for help.
Navigating a new place.

Practice a few of these at home. Cook with your family, do your own laundry and keep a weekly schedule.

Work and savings

Many students work in the summer. If you do:

Choose hours that leave time for preparation and rest.
Save a portion for college.
Learn tax and paycheck basics.
Ask for a reference from your employer.
International students should check work rules before working.

Our guide to earning during school holidays offers ideas for short-term work.

Staying connected

Join official groups for incoming students.
Talk to future classmates and roommates.
Follow the college's channels for news and events.
Attend orientation sessions, online or in person.
Stay in touch with friends from school. Plan how you will keep in contact.

Do not feel pressured to find your best friends before arrival. Friendships form after you arrive.

Managing emotions

Mixed feelings are normal: excitement, worry, sadness about leaving home. Some tips:

Talk about your feelings with family and friends.
Plan something to look forward to at college.
Accept that it will take time to settle.
Learn about support services, including counseling.
Spend time with people you will miss.

If anxiety feels overwhelming, speak to a doctor or counselor.

A month-by-month checklist

May and June

Accept your offer, pay deposits, apply for housing.
Send final transcripts.
Complete aid steps.
Start health appointments.

July

Complete health, insurance and other forms.
Register for orientation.
Begin course planning.
Work, save and practice life skills.

August

Finalize packing and travel.
Confirm payment of fees.
Check emails and portals daily.
Rest and spend time with family and friends.
Prepare for orientation.

Adjust the dates to your calendar.

If you are waitlisted, deferred or changing plans

If you are on a waitlist or have not committed, follow the steps in our guides on waitlisted: what next and other options. Keep your plan flexible, but secure a place you would be happy to attend.

A sample week in July

Imagine a student who works three days a week at a local shop. On Monday evening, she spends thirty minutes on her college checklist, reading emails and filling in one form. On Wednesday, she cooks dinner for her family and practices a new recipe. On Thursday, she reads a chapter of the book her college suggested. On Saturday, she meets friends and talks about what each of them is worried about. On Sunday, she updates her budget and rests.

The week is balanced: work, small steps, learning, friendship and rest.

Talking to your future roommate

If you are assigned a roommate, introduce yourself kindly. Share basic information, and discuss who will bring shared items such as a fridge or a rug. Ask about habits, such as sleep schedules and guests. Be open, and remember that you do not need to become best friends. Respect and good communication are enough to start.

Preparing your family

Your family may also have mixed feelings. Talk about how you will stay in touch, how often you plan to visit and what role they will play in your finances. Show them your budget and your plan. Invite them to orientation events if they are offered. A shared understanding makes the transition easier for everyone.

Learning about the campus before you arrive

If you cannot visit, explore your campus online. Look at maps, find the library, dining halls, health center and your first classes. Read the student newspaper and watch videos made by students. Learn how to get around, where to buy groceries and how public transport works. Bookmark pages for services you may need, such as the registrar, the IT help desk and the counseling center.

If you have time, visit the campus in person before the term starts. Walk from your residence to your first class, and notice how long it takes. Even a short visit makes the first day less intimidating.

Setting intentions for the first term

Take a little time to think about what you want from the first term. You might aim to attend every class, find one club to join and visit a professor's office hours once. Write your goals, and keep them realistic. Starting with a few clear intentions can make the early weeks feel less overwhelming, and it helps you notice progress.

Common mistakes

Missing deadlines for forms and housing.
Ignoring emails.
Overspending on dorm items.
Not planning finances.
Studying too much and not resting.
Not telling the college about disabilities or needs.

A quick checklist

Do I have a list of all deadlines and tasks?
Have I sent documents and accepted aid?
Do I have a budget and a bank plan?
Have I handled health, housing and travel?
Am I resting and keeping connected?

Final thoughts

The summer before college is a bridge. Complete the essentials, plan your money, take care of your health and build a few skills. Leave room for rest and for the people you care about. You will arrive better prepared and more relaxed.