Natasha Santiago is a high school guidance counselor of the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central. She has helped me through the college process and now she shares her wisdom for this blog;

“The time between high school graduation and the first day on a college campus is both an exciting and anxiety provoking time for students.  After graduation, students can breathe a sigh of relief that high school is over, while looking back nostalgically on the past four years.  Many students look ahead to the freedom of college and the opportunity to pursue study in a discipline they are choosing and interested in.  So, what's a student to do to prepare?  Incoming freshman should contact their roommate. They might want to plan who is bringing what potentially shared items for the dorm room, for example.  Students should also shop for school supplies.  This is, of course, different than the school shopping of high school.  You will need toiletries, bedding and perhaps more high tech items like a laptop computer.  Students should also make sure their schedule is set for classes.  They will want to meet with an advisor in person, on the phone or over the computer to make sure they are registered for classes that either meet the core requirements or are appropriate for the first year of their major.  Incoming freshman should check to see if there is a summer reading list or recommended reading for any of their upcoming classes.  Getting a jump start on the copious amounts of reading required in college can be a great idea.  Students might also want a quick lesson on doing laundry or writing a check.  This might be the first time some young people are required to do these tasks.  Finally, recent graduates should try to enjoy their last summer before college.  Connect with high school friends and spend time with your families.  The exciting world of college is just around the corner!”

Many people have contributed their views on their transition to college over these last few weeks. My goal was to help out those going through the same situation as me, and I believe that I achieved that. Although I would like to consider my blog helpful, it is limited. The best way to transition to higher learning is not by reading a blog; it’s by arriving on campus and beginning your journey. As you prepare to set off for school, remember some of these words:

“If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.” ~ Frank Zappa

“A college education shows a man how little other people know.” ~ Thomas Chandler Haliburton

“A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.”  ~Theodore Roosevelt

“If you have a college degree you can be absolutely sure of one thing... you have a college degree.”  ~Unknown

Thank you all for reading. I wish you all the best of luck on your journey through higher education.

“My summer going into freshman year wasn't any different from my past summers. I simply worked and hung out with family and friends. To be honest, I didn't do a lot of preparing for college. My parents and I had already seen off my older sister to college two years ahead of me, so we knew what to get before moving in. Thus, the physical transition was easy. Settling in was the difficult part. I have a close bond with my family so I missed them a LOT. I thought my excitement for college would top missing home life, but I was homesick by the end of my first full week. Phone calls home and visiting my family were musts during breaks. Bringing back home cooked food was a priority after each trip home (that and clean laundry). Though I've made connections and found my rhythm on campus, family is still very much a part of my life. This isn't the case for every family that has a kid in college since everyone has their own unique path, but I think no matter where you are in life, as a student or a parent, it's important to keep an open mind and to have enduring support for one another. Give your child enough space to breathe and to learn how to be independent, but don't be afraid to check in at least every week (for my family, the happy balance is every few days). Despite any cruxes along the road due to timing, location, or difference of opinion, just remember that family should be a safety net of love and grounding. Providing that safety net is what's kept my parents and me close and happy, and I hope it'll do the same for yours. Good luck!”