tips tools & advice

Preparing For College in 14 Key Steps

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on June 20, 2025

Key Takeaways: College prep over the summer helps students keep on top of responsibilities and learn new skills. Create a checklist to determine what you need to complete, when, before your first day of classes. Over the summer, stick to healthy habits, attend orientation, and create a budget to have a successful start to college. …

tips tools & advice

How Your College Academic Advisor Can Help You

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on June 4, 2025

Key takeaways: College academic advisors help students navigate course options and graduation requirements. They can also assist with declaring majors, substituting classes, and understanding academic policies and resources. Students should meet with their advisors at least once a year to discuss grades, career goals, and more. College academic advisors directly help students make the most …

tips tools & advice

Common College Packing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

As you get ready for your upcoming freshman year, the summer months are the time when you should be starting to decide just goes on your packing list to bring with you to college. However, packing is one of the areas where freshmen make the most mistakes. Here are some of the more common packing …

tips tools & advice

100 Life Skills to Master Before College (or Anytime!)

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 18, 2025

Key Takeaways You’re going to learn so much in college—and not just academically. From doing laundry and making meals to managing your time and basic finances, this is the first time you’ll be navigating real-world independence. We’ve rounded up 100 important life skills to know before college, categorizing them into home care, life management, personal …

tips tools & advice

5 Things Every Student Should Do Before Their Freshman Year of College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

The months leading up to your freshman year of college can be hectic and stressful. There are quite a few things you should be doing during this time though and it really shouldn’t be put off. Once you get them out of the way, though, you can enjoy summer! Here are five things you should …

tips tools & advice

Effective Stress Management Tools for High School and College Students

By Emma LymnLast updated on March 3, 2025

Stress is something all high school and college students are familiar with. You need to get to class on time, make sure you do your homework, and study for exams. Then, there’s the extra pressure of trying to fit in socially. Juggling all these things at the same time can quickly wear you down. To …

tips tools & advice

How Parents Can Help Their Student Prepare for Freshman Year of College This Summer

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Is your high school graduate planning on going to college this fall? They probably have a lot on their plate getting ready for their first semester. There are plenty of ways you can help your kids prepare for college over the summer months. These are just a few things you as parents can do: Be …

tips tools & advice

How to Give Your Digital Presence a Makeover While Prepping for College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 19, 2023

We live in a very digital age. So much of our lives revolve around the internet, as such, much of our lives are on the internet. How much of this content is detrimental to your future? Colleges and employers can absolutely look at what you have put online – or what your friends and family …

tips tools & advice

Tips for First Generation College Students

By Brooke FaulknerLast updated on December 22, 2022

First generation college students often face a more difficult transition when starting school than students whose parents, grandparents, and beyond have attended college. First-generation college students tend to deal with a unique set of barriers in addition to the common problems that many incoming freshmen face. It’s important that these difficulties don’t prevent first generation …

tips tools & advice

Step By Step Guide on Cleaning Up Your Social Media Before College Starts

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

There’s no doubt that college admission departments look at applicants’ social media profiles. It’s a must then, that before you head to college (or even send in your college application), that you clean up your social media pages. Here are some things you should be doing: Get Rid of Any Questionable Content You may have …