You Got In. Now What?
5 Things Every Incoming Freshman Should Do Before College Move-In
The applications are submitted.
The decisions are in.
The sweatshirt is ordered.
Now what?
For many students, the moment they commit to a college feels like the finish line.
The applications are submitted, the decisions are in, and the sweatshirt has already been ordered.
After months of deadlines and uncertainty, it's tempting to exhale and think, I'm done.
But from where I sit, after working with hundreds of college-bound students, the summer before college isn't the end of the admissions process. It's the beginning of a new chapter.
This is the summer when students begin shifting from having adults manage the details to managing them for themselves. That transition doesn't happen overnight, but these next few months offer the perfect opportunity to start building the habits that will make college life much smoother.
Here are five things every incoming freshman should prioritize well before move-in day.
1. Make checking your college portal part of your routine.
Your college is going to communicate with you all summer long. Housing assignments, orientation registration, financial aid updates, placement exams, health requirements, technology setup, and move-in instructions will likely arrive through your student portal or college email.
Get into the habit of checking both regularly.
One of the biggest mistakes I see students make is assuming someone else will remind them about an important deadline. College expects students to take ownership of these responsibilities, and developing that habit now will save you unnecessary stress later.
2. Don't miss required enrollment deadlines.
Some tasks—like submitting health records, finalizing financial aid requirements, registering for orientation, and completing housing paperwork—aren't optional. Missing a deadline can delay enrollment, affect housing, or create unnecessary stress during move-in week.
None of these tasks are particularly exciting, but every one of them matters.
Instead of letting your to-do list pile up until August, tackle each item as it comes in. Future you will be grateful when move-in week is focused on excitement instead of scrambling to find paperwork or meet missed deadlines.
3. Practice the life skills that don't show up on a transcript.
One of the biggest adjustments for new college students has nothing to do with academics.
It's learning how to manage everyday life.
Can you do your own laundry? Schedule a doctor's appointment? Refill a prescription? Budget your spending money? Wake up on time without someone reminding you?
These may seem like small things, but they contribute enormously to a student's confidence and independence. College is about much more than earning credits—it's about learning to navigate adulthood.
4. Begin building your college community before you arrive.
Orientation isn't just another event on your calendar. It's an opportunity to become familiar with campus resources, meet classmates, and begin building connections.
Join your incoming class social media groups. Reach out to your roommate. Explore student organizations that match your interests. Read about campus traditions and support services.
You don't need to arrive on campus with your best friends already identified. You simply want to arrive feeling a little less like a stranger.
And don't be afraid to ask for help. One of the strongest skills a college student can develop is knowing when to use the resources available to them—professors, advisors, tutors, counseling services, and campus support staff all want to see you succeed.
5. Don't forget to enjoy your last summer at home.
This may be the most important item on the list.
Spend time with your family. Make memories with your friends. Go to the beach. Take the road trip. Sleep in. Have dinner with your grandparents. Watch the sunset.
Life is about to change in exciting ways.
You'll have plenty of time to study, join clubs, and write papers once the semester begins. Don't let the logistics of preparing for college keep you from appreciating this unique season of life.
The bottom line
Getting into college is a tremendous accomplishment, but it's not the finish line.
The students who transition most successfully aren't necessarily the ones with the highest GPAs or the longest activity lists. They're the ones who arrive prepared to take ownership of their education, their responsibilities, and their daily lives.
Take care of the deadlines.
Complete the paperwork.
Practice a few life skills.
Then take a deep breath, enjoy your summer, and look forward to everything that's ahead.
Congratulations on this exciting next chapter. I can't wait to see where it takes you.
Keep the momentum going.
The college admissions process doesn't end with an acceptance letter, and the transition to college doesn't begin on move-in day.
If you're looking for practical tools to stay organized and prepared, explore the Get It Write Shop, where you'll find digital guides and workbooks designed to help students and families navigate every stage of the college journey with greater confidence.
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📘 College List Building Workbook
A step-by-step guide to building a thoughtful, balanced college list based on academic fit, financial fit, and personal fit—not rankings.
About Stephanie
Stephanie Kwo Friedl, M.Ed., is the founder of Get It Write College Advising & Essay Counseling. She helps students discover colleges where they will thrive and guides families through the admissions process with clarity, strategy, and confidence.
Bringing calm to the chaos of college admissions.
