Getting ready for college sneaks up on a lot of families. “I have time,” you might think, “college is still a few years away,” or maybe it is only a few months away.
You may feel like you have your ducks in a row and know everything you need to do to prepare. Yet where do you start? It is very possible you are not sure how to begin your college search or what steps to take first.
Never fear! Teens and young adults are at the center of what we do at Davis-Smith Mental Health in New Lenox, IL, and these tips can help the process go more smoothly with a lot less stress.
Ten Tips for Getting Ready for College
Here is the whole checklist in one place. Each step is explained in more detail below, with ideas for how to actually do it.
- Make a list of careers you are interested in, in order of preference.
- Find out which majors match those careers.
- Search for colleges with programs in your career and major interests.
- Rate each school with a pros and cons list.
- Ask people you trust to weigh in on schools they know.
- Look into scholarships.
- Read up on the admission requirements for each school.
- Write and proofread your application essay.
- Start early and keep a record of every deadline.
- Visit the schools in person.
You do not have to tackle all ten this week. Pick one or two to start, and come back to the list as you go.
Start With Careers and Majors
Make a list of careers you’re interested in
Start by writing down careers that interest you, then put them in order of preference. The list does not have to be perfect or permanent, and plenty of students change their minds once they get to college.
If you are stuck, think about the classes you enjoy and the activities that make time fly. Talking to adults about their jobs, or shadowing someone for a day, can also show you what a career looks like up close.
Match your careers to a major
Next, search online or ask your school’s career or counseling office which majors correspond to the careers on your list. Some careers have a clear path, like nursing or engineering, while others can start from many different majors.
If you are still unsure, that is okay. Many schools let students explore for a while before choosing a major, so look for schools with strong options in the areas you are curious about.
Build a College List That Fits You
Search for schools with your programs
Once you have a few majors in mind, search for colleges with programs in those areas. Write them all down at first, then narrow the list as you learn more.
Use a pros and cons list
Consider using a pros and cons list to rate each college you look into. It makes it easier to compare schools side by side instead of going on a gut feeling from a website. Here are things worth rating, with questions to ask about each:
| What to compare | Questions to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm quality | What are the rooms like, and how many students share a room or bathroom? | You will spend a lot of time where you live, especially your first year. |
| Food options | Is there food you will actually eat, and does it work with any dietary needs? | Eating well affects your energy, mood, and focus. |
| Distance from home | How far is it, and how often would you want to come home? | Some students love being close to home, while others want more independence. |
| Tuition | What is the total cost after aid, including housing, food, and books? | Less debt can make life after graduation a lot less stressful. |
| Sports and activities | Are there teams or clubs you would want to join? | Joining something is one of the easiest ways to make friends. |
| Internship opportunities | Does the school help students find internships in your field? | Real-world experience lets you test your career choice early. |
| Class sizes | Will you be in big lecture halls, small classes, or a mix? | Some students do their best work when professors know them by name. |
Ask people you trust
Ask coaches, parents, older siblings, or a trusted teacher to weigh in on colleges they know. They can talk about those schools in relation to your interests and may notice things you would not think to ask.
Students who are already in college are another great source. Ask what surprised them most and what they wish they had known before they started.
Scholarships and Admission Requirements
Look into scholarships
Even if you are not an athlete, there are many other scholarships available. Stop in and talk to your school counselor about which options are open to you.
Scholarships can be based on grades, talents, community service, career interests, or where you live. Local businesses and community organizations often offer smaller awards that are easy to overlook, so keep an eye out close to home.
It is also worth filling out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The Federal Student Aid website has information on federal aid and how to apply.
Read up on admission requirements
Look at each school’s GPA minimum, the ACT or SAT scores it expects, and the high school credits it requires. Some schools are test-optional, so check what each one actually asks for.
Also find out whether you need a personal statement or essay and letters of recommendation, and check the foreign language requirements for each school. Keeping all of this in one notebook or spreadsheet makes it much easier to see what is left to do.
If testing is making you nervous, our post on how to handle SAT anxiety has practical ways to stay calm.
Essays, Deadlines, and Campus Visits
Write and proofread your essay
Create and proofread an essay you can use for your applications, adjusting it for each school as needed. Starting early, and having a trusted teacher read it over, can take a lot of the stress out of applying by the deadline.
A good essay sounds like you. Pick a moment that shows something real about who you are, write a messy first draft, and give yourself time to revise it more than once.
Start early and track deadlines
Start your application process early, and do not wait until close to the deadlines to apply. Keep a record of every deadline and log each one in your phone with reminders or in a planner.
It helps to set your own deadline a week or two before the real one. That way, a busy week or a sick day will not leave you scrambling.
Visit the schools
Most importantly, plan to visit multiple schools. Chances are the way a school appears on its website is not quite how it feels in person.
Schedule a visit through the admissions office so you can meet and talk to current students, sit in on a class, try the food, and tour the campus. Bring your pros and cons list and fill it in while the visit is still fresh.
While you are there, pay attention to how you feel. Can you picture yourself walking to class here on a gray Tuesday in February?
Getting Ready for College Emotionally, Too
Most college checklists stop at applications, but the emotional side of this change matters just as much. Leaving home, meeting new people, and managing your own schedule is a lot, even when you are excited.
A few things that help students feel more prepared:
- Practice independence now. Do your own laundry, make your own appointments, and manage a small budget before you leave.
- Talk about homesickness before it happens. Missing home is normal, and having a plan for those moments helps.
- Talk about money. Agree ahead of time on who pays for what and how spending money will work.
- Protect your sleep. Late nights add up fast once no one is telling you to go to bed.
- Find one thing to join early, like a club or intramural team, so friendships have a place to start.
- Learn where to find support on campus, including the counseling center and academic advising.
For more ideas, read our posts on homesickness in college and anxiety in college students.
A note for parents
This part of getting ready for college is big for parents, too. It can help to hand over responsibility a little at a time during senior year, like letting your teen call the doctor’s office themselves or keep track of their own deadlines.
Try to be a calm sounding board rather than the project manager. Your steady support matters more than having every answer.
Normal College Stress or Something More?
Feeling nervous, excited, and overwhelmed all at once is a normal part of getting ready for college. Some stress, though, is a sign that a student could use more support.
| What you notice | Normal transition stress | Worth reaching out |
|---|---|---|
| Mood | Ups and downs that pass in a few days | Feeling sad, hopeless, or numb most days |
| Worry | Nerves about applications or moving away | Constant worry that makes it hard to focus or decide anything |
| Sleep | A few late nights during busy weeks | Barely sleeping, or sleeping most of the day |
| Homesickness | Missing home but still settling in | Wanting to leave school, or rarely leaving the dorm room |
| Daily life | Keeping up with classes and friends | Skipping classes, falling behind, or pulling away from people |
Active Minds is a nonprofit focused on young adult mental health and a good place to learn more. If you or your student ever feel unsafe or have thoughts of hurting yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline any time, or go to the nearest emergency room.
How Therapy Helps With the Move to College
Therapy can give teens and young adults a steady place to sort through big decisions, worries about leaving home, and the pressure to have it all figured out. At Davis-Smith Mental Health, our life transitions counseling and young adult counseling are good places to start when a big change feels like a lot.
Our team uses approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can help with anxious thoughts, and Motivational Interviewing, which can help a student sort out what they really want. Sessions with teens are relaxed and conversational.
Once school starts, telehealth can make it possible to keep going. Telehealth clients need to be physically located in Illinois during each session, so it can work well for students at an Illinois college.
If you will be going to school outside Illinois, please give us a call anyway. We are happy to talk through your situation and help you find a good next step.
Become a Well-Prepared College Applicant
Get excited and take a breath. College planning can be scary, but with these tips, you will have a better plan.
That plan will help you focus on the task at hand and give you a clearer picture of your future at college. Take it in stride and start early.
You will soon be on your way to becoming a well-prepared applicant, ready to start your college career!
Head to College Feeling Ready
If getting ready for college is bringing up more stress than excitement, you do not have to sort it out alone. We see teens and young adults in person at our New Lenox office and through telehealth, as long as they’re physically in Illinois during each session.
Students and families reach us from Frankfort, Mokena, Lockport, Orland Park, and all around Will County. Call (815) 409-5940 or request a session online, and we can talk through what would help most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Personalized care
Licensed, caring therapists
Every therapist on our team works with anxiety. We will match you with the right therapist for you.
Anxiety at the center
Anxiety is the foundation of everything we do.
EMDR-trained care
EMDR helps clients process what talk therapy alone can’t reach.
Every age and stage
From children and teens to young adults and adults.
In-person and telehealth
Our New Lenox office or secure online therapy for clients in Illinois.
In-network with
- Aetna PPO
- Cigna / Evernorth
- BCBS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare
- UMR
- Initial assessment $200
- Ongoing sessions $150
Insurance and rates
Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance plans and offer self-pay options. We believe quality mental health care should be accessible. Davis-Smith Mental Health is in-network with the following insurance providers.
We also offer self-pay options and can provide a Superbill for out-of-network benefits.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
If something told you to keep reading this far, trust that feeling. Whether it’s for yourself, your teen, or your young adult, the hardest part is deciding to start. We are here when you are ready.
there is courage in change ♥
