College Students

Learn How to Make the Most of Your Freshman Year of College

Like many new beginnings, your freshman year of college may feel both exciting and confusing. From getting accustomed to living on your own to keeping up with advanced-level courses, there’s no doubt that a student’s first few months on campus are a major transition.

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Here’s How to Know When It’s Time to Transfer Colleges

Every student’s college admissions journey is unique and, for some, that may mean enrolling in more than one school before graduation day. According to Inside Higher Ed, more than one third of all college students transfer, so if you are considering other options for your higher education you’re not alone.

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Learn What the New Normal Looks Like at Colleges and Universities

With the back to school season well under way, students are preparing for fall semesters that will likely feel very different from years past. From remote learning models to mandatory quarantine periods, every college and university has its own approach to creating a new normal.

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The Top-Choice Gifts for Every Type of Student

With the holiday season right around the corner, now is the time to take a momentary step away from regular round college applications and put the finishing touches on seasonal gift lists! Instead of losing sight of your academic goals entirely, students can take their study game to the next level with gadgets that will set them up for success in college and beyond.

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Add These Films to Your Netflix Queue to Get Your College Movie Fix

As a major milestone and a serious coming of age moment for many students, it’s no wonder college is a popular backdrop choice for many movies. From scenes in the library to football stadiums, there are many different glimpses of campus life that motion pictures strive to capture.

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Use Downtime This Summer to Revamp Your Resume

In addition to pursuing activities that interest you and catching up on some reading lists, the summer can be an excellent time to revamp your resume. A solid resume can help students land internships and future jobs and also serve as a useful resource when reviewing what kinds of learning and professional opportunities you wish to pursue next.

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Inspirational Graduation Day Quotes from Your Favorite Celebrities

Between walking across the stage, celebrating with friends, and receiving your diploma, sometimes it’s hard to remember the words of wisdom a commencement speaker shares on graduation day. However, it may be easier to take note of an important quote if it comes from your favorite author, actress, or comedian.

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Consider All of the Factors Before You Decide to Go Greek

Depending on which best-fit school you choose to enroll in, Greek Life may be a huge presence on campus, an option available for students who are interested, or totally non-existent. While Greek Life can be a fun opportunity to connect with peers and make an impact on the community, some students may choose to look for opportunities to network elsewhere.

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Celebrate with These Festive Commencement Ceremonies

Much like the students who apply each year, no colleges or universities are the same. In addition to varying locations, course requirements and campus environments, many colleges have their own unique graduation traditions.

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Ask the Right Questions to Choose a Major That Connects to Your Goals

Selecting a college to enroll in is one of the most important decisions students have to make, but it’s not the only major academic choice most will face. Choosing a major is an important milestone, and it’s not uncommon for some students to enter college as “undecided” majors. Although policies vary by institution, most students will need to declare a major by sophomore year if they haven’t already.

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Communication is Key to Resolving Roommate Conflict

Much like adjusting to the academic and social changes that come with college, many first-year college students have to adapt to living in a shared dorm room space. It may sound simple, but there is a lot that goes into forming a strong relationship with a roommate and occasional disagreements are almost inevitable. Instead of letting a roommate conflict diminish your first-year experience, there are a variety of steps students can take to make the most of dorm living.

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Don’t Let Fear of Public Speaking Keep You From Your Favorite Activities

In some cases, it can be hard to avoid speaking in public. Whether you’re a high school student presenting at a science fair, or a college student taking a debate course to fulfill a credit requirement, chances are you’ll have to speak in public at some point. Speaking in front of others can be intimidating, but mastering this skill can go a long way toward helping you excel in high school and college.

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Here’s How to Make the Most of Move In Day

It’s back-to-school season, and for many first-year college students this is the first time they’ll be living in a dorm and sharing a space with one or more roommates. College move in day can be hectic, but there’s a lot that students can do to ensure they have a smooth transition into college life.

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Back-to-school season is upon us, and as students across the globe prepare for their first year in college, there are a lot of extra expenses to consider outside of tuition and room and board – most notably the cost of textbooks. For first-year students who have never bought their textbooks before, navigating this new experience can be tricky. However, there are ways to shop smart for your textbooks this fall.

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Here Are Some Resources to Help You Prepare For Your Freshman Year of College This Summer

Summer is in full swing, and while rising high school seniors are turning their focus toward the college application process, those who have already graduated are preparing for their first year in college. There’s a lot that rising college freshmen can do this summer to prepare for their first year on campus.

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It’s only natural for teens to feel pressure when navigating the college admissions process – it is, after all, one of the biggest decisions many teens will have made up until this point. In the January newsletter we covered how to manage test anxiety, which is common among many teens taking the ACT or SAT in hopes of getting into their dream school. While testing anxiety can be crippling, the college preparation process extends beyond one Saturday morning test. Many students can feel overwhelmed going into the process, and the stress can cause problems with grades, family, friends, health, and more.

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The summer before freshman year of college is exciting! You’re so close to realizing your college dreams, however, there’s still lots to be done to prepare for your first year on campus. From packing and choosing classes to spending time with friends, the months leading up to freshman move-in day can be extremely busy – and can go by in a flash. 

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There’s a lot to think about as students prepare for their first year of college, and one of the most difficult things to manage is what to bring! You may not know what you’ll need, and odds are, you will probably forget something.

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Heading to college for the first time can be a little overwhelming. There are so many things to do, events to go to, and people to meet. Take your time and enjoy every second, but make sure you take care of everything you need to do while you’re enjoying everything you want to do!

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Everyone knows that college is a change, and many students are unaware of how big of a transition it will be into college life. You don’t know what issues you will run into, and you might not know how to handle them. Don’t fret; you’re not the first to go off to college and there are plenty of resources out there to help students adjust to college living.

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If college is the gateway to the real world, then high school is the long highway that precedes it. After four years of high school, you might feel as though you are totally unprepared for the challenges of higher education. Although pumped-up academic standards are a big part of the college transition, being a college student also calls for independence, maturity, and responsibility.

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Everyone has the expectation that going to college freshman year will be fun times in a comfortable room, where your best friend is your roommate, and everyone on your floor will be the greatest people you’ve ever met, right? At least, that’s how the movies tell us it will be.

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As the caps come off and the graduation celebrations begin, many high school graduates lookforward to the unbridled freedom of the summer before college. After twelve plus years of non-stop academic and extracurricular responsibilities, this summer provides a much-needed chance for students to unwind after a hectic year of college applications and before an exciting freshman year. Rather than sleep through the hot summer days, use your time to prepare for the year ahead.

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Movies about admissions and college life offer some major Dos and Don’ts  

College movies throughout the years have offered insights and advice about college admissions and the college experience. Classic films portray students navigating applications, freshmen year, and the college social scene. While many movies include a sound moral, some plot sequences may be questionable to audience members.  

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Did you know that at some schools you can take a classes on Harry Potter, how to watch the TV show The Wire, and even one on Lady GaGa’s (actual) fame? Many colleges these days are offering interesting course selections that take pop culture and familiar icons and use them as tie-ins to deeper, more intellectual ideas and lessons. 

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Making new friends and getting involved on campus starts with exploring your interests. Student clubs and organizations are a great way to meet new people and build on the skills and interests that you already have.

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For high school sophomores and juniors, fall marks the first steps in the college search process. Many schools have a mid-October fall break, and students and families often use this time to go on college visits. At IvyWise, our team of expert counselors always stress the importance of the college visit. Not only does it give you the opportunity to show demonstrated interest, a factor that admissions officers take into consideration when reading applications, but it also gives you the chance to get a feel for campus life first-hand.

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The fall semester is here, and with it comes the day new students look forward to the most, and the day some parents dread the most: college move-in day! For many incoming freshmen, this is the first time they will be living away from home, and the task of getting everything they need to survive in only a few boxes can be a tricky one.

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An IvyWise Student Talks About the Transition to College

I led a relatively sheltered life before leaving for college. As an only child whose parents wanted to ensure that I remained focused, I had been enrolled at an all-girls school for seven years. To their horror, I ultimately chose to attend the farthest school I applied to—Washington University in St. Louis, a shocking 16-hour drive from my home in New Jersey.

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One way to feel mentally prepared for your new adventure is to get physically prepared. First, get organized: make piles of things to bring, things to store, things to toss, and things to give away. Most schools have suggestions on their websites of things to bring, as well as those that you should leave behind. This is a great exercise to do with a parent who may be more objective about what you will and won’t need at school.

Shopping for dorm décor will help you picture where you will be living and get you excited about furnishing your own space. Decorating your dorm room according to your own taste and style will help make it feel like home, which may also ward off any home-sickness. Don’t forget the necessities, including extension cords, cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. These basic items, which were always just there before, signal the realities of independence. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to ask your parents questions, learn basic housekeeping, bookkeeping and checkbook-balancing skills, and start practicing good living habits (like keeping your room tidy!).

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