What To Know About Starting College

Are you dreaming of college? You aren’t alone. For many teenagers, it’s their first real taste of independence, and it can also be a highly transformative experience where you find yourself, find your calling, and determine your future path in life.

Consider this is your comprehensive guide to choosing a college and having a fantastic time while you’re there!

The Basics of Applying to College

The first step of applying to college is choosing where you want to go. Most admissions counselors will advise you to apply for both your “dream school” and several additional “safety schools.” Tools like the College Board’s BigFuture platform and the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator can help you compare schools side by side.

The good news is that you don’t have to apply to these colleges individually. The Common App is an official industry tool that’ll let you apply to multiple colleges after filling out just a few forms.

When thinking about the right college for you, you’ll want to consider things like cost, location, admissions criteria, acceptance rates, available majors, dorms or other accommodations, and fun stuff like on-campus clubs.

Another extremely important thing to consider: accreditation. Never apply to an unaccredited college. To make sure that it’s accredited, use the search function of the accreditation database offered by the U.S. Office of Postsecondary Education. Attending an unaccredited school can make it nearly impossible to transfer credits, qualify for federal student loans through the U.S. Department of Education, or have your degree recognized by future employers.

Last but not least, it’s a good idea to start early with your college applications. You might need time to gather your recommendation letters or write those killer essays. Here’s an application timeline to follow.

Understanding Financial Aid for College

The very first thing to do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is a free government program administered by the U.S. Department of Education that’s designed to help students afford tuition, textbooks, and other college expenses. Your FAFSA results determine your Student Aid Index (SAI), which colleges use to calculate how much aid you qualify for. There are a few different ways that FAFSA can help:

• Grants: Grants are essentially free money for college. You don’t have to pay them back. The most well-known grant is the Pell Grant, but there are others, including the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
• Loans: Student loans come in two forms. Subsidized loans are ones where you don’t have to pay any interest on your debt while you’re still in school. Unsubsidized loans do require you to pay interest. Both types are issued through the Federal Direct Loan Program.
• Work-study programs: These are programs that allow students to work on-campus jobs to help them cover expenses.

There are other ways to save on college costs, too. These include scholarships, tuition assistance from your employer, and special deals and discounts offered by your college of choice. Don’t be afraid to apply for anything and everything. Every penny counts!

It’s also worth understanding how borrowing now can affect your financial health later. Federal student loans don’t require a credit check, but private student loans — offered by lenders like Sallie Mae, SoFi, and College Ave — do. Private lenders will review your FICO Score and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) when deciding whether to approve you and at what annual percentage rate (APR). If you’re a first-time borrower with no credit history, services like Experian CreditWorks or Credit Karma can help you monitor your credit profile as you build it. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) also publishes free guidance on comparing private student loan offers.

Living on Campus

You did it! You got your acceptance letter! Now it’s time to begin the next chapter of your life.

First, you’ll want to decide where to live. Many colleges offer dorm rooms, and some will even require first-year students to live on campus. Others, however, are fine with students living at home or renting their own apartments.

If you decide to go the dorm route, keep in mind that you’ll probably have a roommate. Here are some quick tips for getting along with a college roommate. You might also be interested in dorm room essentials ranging from cookware to bedding.

Other practicalities include signing up for a meal plan and figuring out where to park and where essential campus buildings can be found. These might include everything from libraries to student health centers. Many universities — including large state schools in the University of California system and the State University of New York (SUNY) system — offer student health insurance plans, which is worth exploring if you’re not covered under a parent’s plan.

Choosing Your Major

Once you’ve settled into college, it’s time to start thinking about the future. What do you want to do for the rest of your life? What major can get you there?

Don’t worry if you haven’t figured it out yet. Most colleges will let you stay “undeclared” for years before they require you to commit to a major. That said, it’s a good idea to figure out your academic aspirations as soon as possible: This will let you plan out your graduation schedule and fit in any mandatory courses or internships of your major.

As for actually choosing your major, here are a few questions that you can ask yourself during some soul-searching:

– What are my passions? How can I make money off these passions?
– What are at least five jobs that I can get with my chosen degree?
– What degrees, certifications, or licenses will I need on my chosen career path?
– What are my employment prospects after graduation?

For the last question, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) can help. You can search for specific careers and get salary information, projected growth rates, educational and professional requirements, and more. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook is one of the most reliable free tools available for understanding which fields are growing and which are contracting.

Having a Social Life in College

Your freshman year of college can be overwhelming, especially if you’re taking lots of classes. However, academics are only part of the “college experience,” so it’s important not to get lost in your textbooks. Having friends can be just as important for your mental life as getting good grades.

Here are just a few tips for meeting people in college:

• Go to freshmen mixers and meet-ups
• Join clubs, societies, sororities, or fraternities
• Start study groups with your classmates
• Hang out in common areas of your dorms or around campus
• Find a part-time job

If you have any hobbies or special interests, make sure to use those to your advantage, too. For example, if you’re into fitness, you can spend time at the campus gym.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes awhile to make new friends. Stay positive, keep putting yourself out there, and be open to new possibilities for friends from all walks of life!

Living Your Best Life at College

Your college days are something that you’ll look back on for the rest of your life. You’ll have ups, downs, and everything in between. Not every experience will be good, but that’s part of adulthood, too.

If you’re thinking about college, you should be proud of yourself. You’ve already taken the first step to a brighter future. Now, you just need to put pencil to paper and start getting things done. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first step to applying to college?

The first step is researching and creating a list of schools you want to apply to, then submitting applications through the Common App. Aim to include a mix of reach schools, target schools, and safety schools — most counselors recommend applying to at least 8–10 colleges total.

How do I apply for financial aid for college?

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov as early as possible — ideally as soon as it opens each October. Your FAFSA results determine your eligibility for Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Work-Study, and other forms of aid administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

What is the FAFSA deadline for 2026?

The federal FAFSA deadline for the 2025–2026 academic year is June 30, 2026, but most states and colleges have much earlier priority deadlines. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible — many schools award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

How much does college cost on average in 2026?

According to the College Board, the average published tuition and fees for the 2025–2026 year are approximately $11,610 at public four-year in-state schools, $30,780 at public four-year out-of-state schools, and $43,350 at private nonprofit four-year schools. These figures do not include room, board, or textbooks.

What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized student loan?

A subsidized federal student loan does not accrue interest while you are enrolled at least half-time in school — the U.S. government covers that interest. An unsubsidized loan begins accruing interest immediately from the date it is disbursed, even if you are still in school. Both are issued through the Federal Direct Loan Program and require FAFSA completion.

Should I take out private student loans for college?

Exhaust all federal aid options before turning to private loans. Private lenders like SoFi, Sallie Mae, and College Ave will check your FICO Score and debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and interest rates (APR) can be significantly higher than federal loan rates. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends carefully comparing loan terms and only borrowing what you absolutely need.

What is college accreditation and why does it matter?

Accreditation is a quality-assurance process that verifies a college meets academic standards recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Attending an unaccredited school means your degree may not be recognized by employers, your credits may not transfer, and you will not qualify for federal student loans or Pell Grants. Always verify accreditation through the U.S. Office of Postsecondary Education’s database before applying.

How do I choose a college major?

Start by identifying your interests, strengths, and long-term career goals. Then use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook to research salary ranges and projected job growth for careers tied to potential majors. You can stay “undeclared” for a year or two at most schools while you explore different fields through elective courses.

What should I bring to a college dorm room?

Essentials include bedding (check your school’s bed dimensions — most dorms use extra-long twin mattresses), a power strip, a laptop, basic cookware, a shower caddy, and a first aid kit. Many students also bring a small fan, noise-canceling headphones for studying, and a whiteboard for their door. Check your school’s housing policy for prohibited items before packing.

How can I build credit as a college student?

Opening a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user on a parent’s account are two of the most common ways college students begin building a FICO Score. Some student-focused cards from issuers like Discover and Chase offer rewards and no annual fees specifically designed for first-time borrowers. Making on-time payments — even small ones — is the single most important factor in building a strong credit profile early. You can monitor your progress for free through Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, or services like Credit Karma.

What are the best resources for comparing colleges?

The College Board’s BigFuture tool and the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator are two of the best free resources for comparing schools by cost, acceptance rate, graduation rate, available majors, and financial aid data. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard also provides earnings data for graduates of specific programs.