Hello, Tigers! EPHS seniors have entered their summer before college. Seniors will need to make the most of this one in order to prepare AND enjoy their transition into college. Let me divide these ideas into 3 main sections and tell you what I think will make the most out of YOUR pre-college summer!

Mentally Prepare for College

Get your head in the game

It’s overwhelming to think about starting college, right? Focusing and ‘locking in’ early in the game can help make that transition more bearable. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal to feel nervous, excited, or even unsure. These emotions come because you’re about to have a major change in your life. Instead of ignoring and disregarding your emotions, try to understand them and accept their normality. This doesn’t only apply for college but for anytime you ever get these feelings. Remember, accepting these emotions can help reduce your anxiety and create more positive anticipations in the future!

Preparing your mind

Getting comfortable in this new phase doesn’t happen quickly, but taking small steps can surely help build up more confidence and comfort to make you feel in control. Start researching; don’t waste your time! You might think you already know a lot about your college, but it never hurts to be REALLY sure. Watch videos of experiences that other people had when transitioning into college. Get familiar with the events and the available resources that can get you more involved with the school, hence, making you more comfortable with your new learning environment.

From Senior to Freshman AGAIN: What to expect

It definitely feels off to go from being an upperclassmen to being, yet again, a newbie to the class. Make some new friends, talk to other students, share your first experience with someone, or ask for advice from current students. Feeling alone among your new surroundings can definitely feel overwhelming. Conversing with upperclassmen can help create realistic expectations for what your first day, your first week, or even your first semester will look like. They can also give you advice on how to manage your time and workload. Just know that they’ve already been in your position and there are a lot of nice people who would love to help make your experience less intimidating!

Work and Volunteer

Work now, win later

You think the summer before college is just for breaks? Nope – it’s also (AND SHOULD BE) an opportunity to get ahead. Taking a job or any responsibilities to help you earn money can teach you skills and important experiences that will definitely benefit you in college and after. Working can help you learn how to manage your time, stick to a somewhat strict schedule, practice professionalism, and deal with customers or coworkers. These experiences can also help you feel more independent and confident! In the long run, the money you earn can be saved for future costs, like textbooks, supplies, or other general expenses. By getting a job as soon as possible, you’re enabling yourself to a smoother transition when it comes to handling financial responsibilities. 

Volunteering is another option. It allows you to give back to the community and show commitment to events or causes you care about. It’s also a great way to build relationships and acquire opportunities which can lead to letters of recommendation. 

Enjoy Every Minute

Don’t forget to have fun

Always remember to catch a break and have fun! After dealing with stress during senior year and the pressure of planning for college, you can sometimes find yourself taking on additional responsibilities when you should be taking a break. Guys…THIS is the time to breathe, reset, and have fun before transitioning to college life. You don’t want to start college without having had a break. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, traveling, or playing video games, make some good summer memories! Just know that having fun isn’t a waste of time as long as you don’t actually waste your time!

Savor the summer

I know, some of y’all are tempted to rush things and always think about the future, but we all know that this very summer is something special. Savor the small things – the places you might not see as often, the time with friends that you might not have as much of soon, the routines that you’ve gotten used to, etc. Take a breath and look around. Appreciate every little thing because we all know that sometimes you’ll only miss something when it’s gone. Go out with your favorite people to your favorite places because you might not have that chance for a while. It never hurts to slow down and appreciate everything.

Final Thoughts

Well… there we have it. That’s my best advice for graduating seniors of 2025 and beyond. My goal for these ideas is to emphasize that pre-college summer shouldn’t heavily focus on working towards college. Don’t get me wrong, working towards college might sound like the reasonable thing to do, but remember not to overwhelm yourself with emotion, stress, and responsibilities that are mainly college related. Working and having fun have valuable experiences that will naturally prepare you for college – they especially prepare you mentally, financially, and, sometimes, even physically. Relax and have fun. You’ve gotten plenty of preparation throughout high school, and now it’s time to feel proud and enjoy the moment!