Preparing to Head to Campus Congratulations! You have now committed to your choice college out of the ones you have gained admission to, are a now setting your sights on the new place you will call your home in the fall. You have probably been flustered with various letters and emails pertaining to orientation and your transition to college life, however, although the information is informative, you may need some outside advice and opinions to make sure you are fully prepared for campus. Bills & Financials

• Make sure to collect all bills and letters from your institution and keep them in a place where they will be safe and accessible for review.
  

• When you receive a bill, DO NOT wait to read it! Read it immediately and make sure to evaluate it carefully. It would be in your best interest to make sure that you are aware of the the amount due, the due date, and the consequences that could arise from late payment.
  

  • Billing information at times could be very particular.
    

  • Some colleges will not allow you to enroll in courses unless a down payment is made, so be aware of that and whether that is the case for your college.
    

• DISCLAIMER: Deadlines and penalty fees can and will be applied to EACH bill. If you miss a bill, you are going to be charged interest on the amount that you owe or made to pay a fixed penalty fee.
  

• Keep track of all the payments that you submit, so that if any problems arise with a payment or verify payment, you can pull out a log of the transaction.
  

When you get a bill this what you should do…

• Check your bill for a phone number and note said number, so if any problems arise you know what number to use to contact the financial aid office for clarification.
  

• You can contact the financial aid office to get an idea of what your cost of attendance will be, how it will change given the following school year or income/extenuating circumstances, and what payment options are available to you.
  

• Inspect all bills you receive THOROUGHLY, to make sure you are only paying legit bills (this happens and has been recorded before).
  

• Your college will most likely send you one bill will the complete picture of your college dues (tuition, fees, room and board).
  

• Don’t be scared to ask question or appeal if necessary, The Financial Aid Office is there to help you, and try to work to help you. Don’t be timid, let them know what your problems are so they can guide you through any misunderstandings you have with the aid your are receiving and voice it to them if you feel that you may need more support, to see what options are out there for you.
  

Health Insurance Basics On your journey to college, you are going to be asked a lot of questions about your health, To function at your best you must be in your best mental and physical shape, and you University Health Center is there to ensure that. Before you are allowed on campus, you may need to provide a physical and proof of vaccination. Make sure to meet the deadlines for all medical forms and documentation requested, or you could be your registration in jeopardy.

• Make sure to provide updated immunization records showing vaccinations for meningitis, MMR, varicella, and a TB screen, This is very important, and many colleges have strict policies for those who refuse to comply.
  

• Let your school health center know about any special medications or conditions you may have. If affected, you would want to let medical personnel at your university center aware in case of an emergency.
  

• Make sure to have a pharmacy nearby just in case you may need any future or current prescriptions.
  

• Ensure that your personal physician has contact with the school health center if necessary.
  

• IMPORTANT: Compare your school’s health plan with your families’ plan. Some schools have standards to waive the use of their health plans so it is important to look into that. If your family’s plan is better that what the school offers, keep your plan, but if you don’t have an appropriate plan or a plan at all, go with the university plan. Often, if you are receiving some type of aid, the university will aid in covering you.
  

Safety In Your Dorm Often when people think about “campus safety” they only think about safety out and about on campus, but “campus safety” also includes protecting your belongings while in school and your possessions in your dorm. People often, think that their dorm is free from theft, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth, your possessions, especially in a shared space are always susceptible to theft, and I don’t say that to scare you, but to make you aware. You can take the following measures to make sure you protect your things:

• Think about insuring your belongings. Colleges often do not have insurance to protect damages or stolen items, so guess who will be responsible. Yeah, you? So insuring your items is a step towards making sure on such occasions, items can be replaced or covered.
  

• If your family’s homeowner insurance does not cover you while in college, you should think about getting renter's insurance, through a school-sponsored agency or insurance company.
  

• !!!: Take down the serial numbers if all electronic equipment and make estimates of the values of your books, clothing, and other things. As I said, petty theft is common in college and in the case of water damage or a fire, you will be able to estimate the cost of the damages or items stolen.
  

• Consider investing in a lock-box or jewelry case in which you can lock away significant items like your passport, jewelry, cash, credit card, and so forth. Make sure to hid the lock-box in an obscure space or confined area where even your roommate wouldn’t look or suspect. If you don’t feel your dorm is safe enough for your belongings, consider renting a safe deposit box and putting your important items there so it will be kept in a fireproof and isolated location, or than your room.
  

• If you ever get around to talking to an insurance agent, make sure to discuss replacement costs for your items.
  

Orientation Yay! Now you have made it to orientation, the first big event for you on campus! Orientation is hosted annually at campuses across the nation with the following in mind:

• To get you acquainted to the campus. To familiarize you with the campus in order to allow you to find the library, your classes, the fitness center, etc.
  

• Introduce you to the expectations of college. To let you known of campus-wide policies and regulations, and more about school traditions.
  

• To introduce you the resources your college has. This is very significant in the fact that many different individuals and communities have differing needs that need to be met or sustained, campus resources help do this buy providing widespread support and providing guidance and tools for targeted audiences and groups.
  

• Break the ice. To help you get to know your other classmates, your deans, and professors, helping you build friendships that can last a lifetime.
  

In addition to orientation programs, there also exist pre-orientation programs to get you acquainted with other students and/or campus before orientation. They tend to be based on academic or outdoor experiences, and can be very enriching and helpful in adjusting to college. I definitely encourage you to look into the ones your college offers, if offered and take advantage of the opportunity. Aid is often provided for these programs, and some are tuition-free. When approaching orientation…

• Come prepared for fun!
  

• Keep an open-mind and don’t judge other quickly. You could end up becoming close or the best of friends with someone you least expected to.
  

• Relax! Everyone else is just as nervous as you are! Put yourself out there!
  

Hope this advice helps with the transition into the upcoming school year and good luck at orientation! If you have any further comments or questions, feel free to comment below!