Jump‑Start Your College Journey: Action Steps for a Productive Summer
The months between high‑school graduation and move‑in day are an ideal window to handle logistics and practice independence. Doing so reduces anxiety and frees up mental space for learning. Use this guide to make the most of summer while strengthening the executive‑function skills, such as time management and organization, that set students up for success.
Early summer tasks
Complete health and legal forms. Schedule doctor appointments and vaccinations, and verify health‑insurance coverage; submit immunization records as soon as portals open. Fill out FERPA/HIPAA waivers so parents or guardians can access academic and medical information if needed.
Confirm housing and orientation. Secure on‑campus housing, pay deposits and register for orientation sessions. Orientation is a prime opportunity to meet peers and explore resources.
Investigate accommodations and support services. If your student has ADHD, anxiety or another condition, start the accommodations process early. Our articles College Accommodations 101 and Setting Up College Accommodations: A Guide for Freshmen walk families through each step in this important, and sometimes confusing, process.
Build executive‑function skills
Practice daily planning. Use a calendar or app to list orientation dates, move‑in deadlines and registration windows. Assign tasks to specific days and set reminders; this planning practice strengthens working memory and time management which are core executive‑function skills.
Learn your learning management system (LMS). Access tutorials for Canvas, Blackboard or other LMS platforms you’ll use for assignments and grades. Familiarity with technology reduces stress during the first week of classes.
Explore course catalogs and draft a schedule. Research required courses and electives to balance challenging subjects with interests. College Raptor advises balancing course loads and meeting with an advisor to avoid overload (make the most of your advising appointment with tips from How Can My College Advisor Help Me?).
Practice life skills. Cook a few basic meals, do laundry without reminders and manage a small budget. Developing these skills now means fewer distractions later. Our senior‑year timeline gives ideas for additional independence tasks to take on.
Make the most of campus visits
Attend orientation and early‑arrival programs. Participate in activities designed to introduce you to campus resources, clubs and support offices. This will help you feel more comfortable when you are on campus and on your own.
Take virtual and in‑person tours. Use campus maps to locate classrooms, libraries and study spaces. This reduces cognitive load during the first week of classes and improves time management.
Smile and make a friend. Feeling connected is critical to thriving in college. See our post Making Friends in College: Building Community and Confidence for concrete tips on building friendships and community that support success.
Learn how executive function coaching can help
Summer lists can overwhelm students with executive‑function challenges. Our coaches break tasks into manageable steps, teach digital tools and hold students accountable. Coaching sessions build planning routines that carry into the first semester and beyond.
Want a smoother transition to college? Schedule a free consultation today and let College Success Plan help your student turn summer into a springboard for success.
