10 Things to Prep for College this Summer

The summer before college is exciting—and sometimes a little weird. You’ve crossed the finish line of high school, but college hasn’t quite begun, and the support systems you relied on might not be available anymore. While this is a great time to relax and make memories with friends and family, it’s also the perfect window to prepare for a smooth college launch. Here are a few things that might not be on your radar yet:

1. Send in your final transcripts: and don’t forget AP, CLEP, and/or IB score reports too.

2. Collect your paperwork: Make sure you have at least two original forms of ID—like a passport, Social Security card, or birth certificate—on hand. You’ll need them for things like setting up a bank account or getting a campus job.

3. Buy or rent your textbooks for the fall: UNW’s  campus store makes it easy by holding your books for pick-up when you arrive—no shipping fees, no hassle.

4. Find a planner that works for you: whether physical or digital, you’ll need this.

5. Discuss your dorm shopping list with your roommates: work together to decide who’ll bring the larger items (like kitchen gadgets) to avoid extra stuff taking up space.

6. Buy twin sheets and consider a mattress topper: Make sure both are extra-long twin size—most college beds are a bit longer than standard. A mattress topper isn’t required, but many students find it adds extra comfort and helps them sleep better.

7. Identify your helpers: Who are the key people on campus who can support you? Start learning about the roles of your resident assistant (RA), resident director (RD), academic advisor, and the teams in Health Services, Counseling Services, and Academic Achievement. These people are here to help you thrive—so get to know them early!

8. Follow campus social media: get a sneak peek of campus life by following @unwcore, @unw.chapel, and @unweagles. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and start building excitement for your time at UNW!

9. Prepare a greeting: Practice introducing yourself with a simple, friendly line like, “Hi, I’m So-and-So from Such-and-Such with an XYZ major. I’m most excited for Things!” It’ll help you feel confident when meeting new people!

10. Write yourself an encouraging letter to open mid-semester: Take a moment to reflect on your goals and dreams, then seal it up to read later. It’ll be amazing to see how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown!

As you prepare for this next big chapter, remember you don’t need to have everything figured out. God goes before you and will be with you every step of the way. Lean into prayer this summer—pray for courage, clarity, and connection. And if questions come up (they will!), don’t hesitate to reach out to the UNW Admissions team. We’re here to help and cheer you on!