A Guide for the Class of 2025
You did it. You graduated. The cap flew, the tassel turned, and suddenly everyone keeps asking, “Are you ready for college?”
Short answer? No. And that’s okay.
Welcome to the weird in-between: not quite a high schooler, not yet a college student. It’s summer, your brain’s on cruise control, and you’re wondering what the heck you’re supposed to do with these next few months.
Here’s your official (unofficial) guide to surviving and thriving the summer before college — from practical tips to emotional survival, we’ve got you.
This is the last time you’ll feel this kind of freedom for a while. In college, summer often becomes internship season, resume-padding time, or a mad dash to catch up on credits. Take this moment to breathe.
Rewatch your comfort shows. Make TikToks with your best friend. Stay in bed till noon if you want to. You don’t need to be productive every second. Being still is part of preparing for a big change.
Decluttering isn’t just about space — it’s about mental clarity. When you pack for college, you’ll thank yourself for sorting out your life now. Make piles: keep, toss, donate, memory box. If you haven’t worn it or used it in a year, it probably doesn’t need to make the college cut.
Consider digitizing old photos or school projects. Scan and store them on a hard drive or Google Drive. You’ll save space and still be able to look back without hauling ten boxes to campus.
Not to mention textbooks are outrageously priced, and you’ll definitely want some “fun money” for late-night snacks, spontaneous road trips, or surprise Target runs.
Plus, showing up to college with a small emergency fund will make you feel empowered. You’ll be the one who doesn’t have to text home for Venmo after pizza night.
We made a list for that.
Look for things that are multi-purpose, compact, and easy to store. Think: under-bed storage bins, USB-powered fans, command hooks, a solid laundry system, and a clip-on lamp.
Also, ask upperclassmen what they actually used. You’ll be surprised how many cute-but-pointless items never left the packaging.
Here are a few must-knows:
You don’t have to master adulting in one summer. But showing up with a few functional skills will help you feel less lost.
Spend time doing familiar things. Go to the beach. Stay up watching movies. Visit your favorite ice cream shop. Host a backyard bonfire or game night.
Make a list of places and people you want to see before you leave. Capture moments. Take pictures. Write down funny quotes or stories. One day, these will be your nostalgia fuel.
It’s also a good way to feel less nervous. Even a few DMs or texts can make move-in day feel less like a stranger-danger situation.
Questions to ask:
This isn’t about becoming best friends overnight — it’s about avoiding unnecessary tension.
Trust us, future you will be grateful you did this now.
Make a vision board or Pinterest mood board for your dorm style, personal goals, or things you want to try in college. It’s not just fun — it helps you mentally prepare.
Write a bucket list for freshman year. Include simple things (join a club, try a new food) and bold ones (study abroad, speak up in a big lecture).
Talk about it. Journal it. Cry about it in the car. It’s all valid.
Practice coping strategies: mindfulness, breathing exercises, or simply calling someone you trust. If you already work with a therapist, talk about how to continue care while at school.
Remember: asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
This is the summer where you say goodbye to who you were — and start becoming who you’re going to be.
Congrats again, Class of 2025 — now go enjoy your freedom before the RAs take it all away.
Final Thoughts
Leaving home is a weird, beautiful, awful, exciting mess. You don’t have to pretend it’s easy. You just have to keep moving through it — one awkward cafeteria meal at a time.
And if you need something that brings you a little comfort, whether it’s a blanket, a lamp, or a little piece of “normal”… well, we made a list of the dorm things that actually help.
You’ve got this. Even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.