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Getting prepared for college can be difficult. Finding the right school, completing applications, studying for standardized exams, and filling out financial aid forms can be overwhelming and time consuming!
How We Can Help You…
Since we understand how daunting the transition from high school to college can be, our site is packed with useful tips and advice to help you navigate the entire college admissions process and your 1st year on campus!
So what are you waiting for? Jump right in and learn what you can do to get ready for college RIGHT NOW!
Follow the steps below to get started:
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Step 1: Should I Go To College? 
A lot of high school students and their parents view college as the natural progression after high school…
BUT before you rush off to fill out those college applications, now might be a good time to figure out if a 4-year college or university is right for you.
“Wait A Second, Isn’t This Site Called TheCOLLEGEHelper.com?
Then why are you telling me I shouldn’t go to college! “
We’re not telling you not to go to college, instead we’re saying that stepping back and evaluating your long term goals is a good idea.
While this site is dedicated to helping students transition from high school to college, we realize that a traditional 4-year college program is not for everyone.
Here are some posts that could help you with this process:
- Should I Go To College After High School?
- Is The Cost Of A College Education Worth It?
- 4 Reasons Why You Might Decide To Postpone College
- Is College Really Worth All The Effort?
- What Is A Technical School?
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Step 2: College Action Plans 
Each year of high school brings on a different set of challenges, as well as tasks to complete in order to prepare for college.
Review the College Action Plan below that best applies to you:
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Step 3: Standardized Exams – ACT & SAT

Although they can be a real pain, standardized tests are an important part of the college admissions process.
A lot of students feel pressured to choose between taking the SAT or ACT. Keep in mind, neither test is better than the other. It all depends on the admissions requirements of the schools you intend to apply to.
Here are some of our more popular posts surrounding this topic:
- How To Earn A Good ACT Score
- How To Deal With A Low SAT Score
- How To Effectively Manage Test Anxiety
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Step 4: Choosing A College 
Picking the college for you can be downright intimidating. This is the place you’re going to be spending the next few years of your life. How can you be sure you’ve made the right decision?
Don’t worry; there is tons of useful information from current college students and education experts in our “Selecting A College” category.
Here are some of our more popular posts surrounding this topic:
- 3 Ways To Quickly Research Colleges
- A College Freshman’s Perspective: Why I Selected the University of Illinois
- When Applying to College, Don’t Be Afraid to Dream
- When Choosing A College, Gut Feelings Are More Important Than Prestige
Step 5: College Majors 
All college students are required to “major” or specialize in a specific area of study.
Most schools requires students to ‘declare a major’ by the end of their sophomore year. Until then, you’ll likely be enrolled in “general education” courses – like English, History, etc.
Choosing a college major can be stressful; especially if you wait until you get on campus to start thinking about potential college majors and career options.
However, you don’t have to wait until the last minute! You can start preparing for your future NOW, by taking a look at our “College Majors” section.
Here are some of our more popular posts surrounding this topic:
- College Major Quiz
- A Comprehensive List Of College Majors
- How To Quickly Research Careers
- Salary Shouldn’t Be A Factor When Choosing A College Major
- 4 Simple Steps To Fearlessly Choosing A College Major
Step 6: Campus Visits
Let’s be honest…there’s no brochure or pamphlet that can give you a complete picture of any college or university. Taking a campus tour is the absolute best way to get a feel for what a college is really like.
Can’t afford to visit all of the schools you’re applying to in person? No worries; just take a virtual campus tour!
To learn more about virtual campus tours and other useful tips surrounding this topic, check out the posts below:
- How To Visit College Campuses Without Leaving Home
- 4 Ways To Make The Most Of Your College Visit
- 4 Actions Guaranteed To Enhance Your Campus Visit Experience
- Questions To Ask During Campus Tours – Part 1
Step 7: College Application Process
You’ve taken the ACT and/or SAT, you’ve figured out which colleges you want to apply to, you’ve visited their campuses…now it’s time to apply!
Below are some of our more popular posts surrounding this topic:
- How To Apply For College
- 5 Myths About The College Admissions Process
- 7 Red Flags That Can Kill Your College Application
- Top 5 Dumbest College Application Mistakes
Step 8: Recommendation Letters, Essays, & Interviews
Completing the college application itself is just half the battle!
You’ll likely also need to complete an essay or personal statement, request letters of recommendation from your teachers, club moderators, and/or school counselor, and possibly attend an interview before the entire college application process is complete.
- How To Write A Killer College Essay
- A Step-by-Step Guide To Requesting Letters Of Recommendations
- How To Make Your College Interview A Success
Step 9: Paying For College 
The number one concern regarding college for most college-bound high school students is affordability. College costs are increasing at twice the rate of inflation!
However, the good news is that college can be affordable for just about any student. The ultimate challenge lies in finding a college that fits your financial needs.
Here are some our more popular post surrounding this topic:
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- FAFSA.com Scam
- Top 5 Financial Aid Scams
- Fill Out FAFSA
- FAFSA Form
- The Worst Financial Aid Advice I Ever Got
Scholarships
- 5 Scholarships ALL Students Can Apply For
- Winning Scholarships: It’s A Number’s Game
- College Scholarship Money
Student Loans
- What Are My College Loan Options?
- Student Loans: Blessing or Curse?
- Private Loans: A Last Resort To College Funding
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Step 10: Surviving Freshman Year
Nervous about your first year on campus? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!
There are over 200 articles in our “1st Year of College” category!
You’ll find everything from “How To Create The Perfect Class Schedule” to “Space Saving Tips For Your Dorm Room!”
Here are 15 of our favorite posts surrounding this topic:
- College Move-In Day
- 7 Commonly Overlooked Dorm Room Necessities
- Top 10 Things A College Student Needs Before The First Day Of Class
- 5 Apps Every College Student Needs
- Do’s and Dont’s For Getting Along With Your College Roommate
- Do This, Not That: Use Your Class Time Wisely
- 4 Sneaky Ways To Save Money On Textbooks
- How To Stay Safe On Campus
- Food: 5 Quick Dorm Room Hunger Fixes
- 4 Bad Habits Every College Student Should Avoid
- My Top 5 Biggest Regrets From First Semester Of College
- How To Get Back On Track After Winter Break
- 4 Lies Everyone Believes About College
- 5 Crucial Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Applying To Graduate School
- How Students Can Quickly Research Careers
- 5 Secrets To Getting A Job After College
Step 11: Connect With Us!
We update our content very regularly, so if you don’t want to miss out on exclusive college help advice, connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest!













