Happy summer! I'm Carrington Brown '17, RBC Student Ambassador, and I'm going to treat you guys with the Top 5 Things to Expect When Preparing for College! Let's do this!

5. Paperwork. Lots. Of. Paperwork!

All colleges and universities are required to have written proof of your enrollment status. For example, your institution's Financial Aid department is required to have your award letters on file so they can show the Board of Visitors (and the government) that you have aid for the school year. If they don't have written proof that you have financial aid or that you were issued an award letter, your college/university will be under investigation and may be at risk of being sued, or worse, forced to close.

4. Housing assignments.

The Office of Residence Life places you in a room with one to eight other people based on your housing application. After they pair you with your roommate/suitemates, you will get an email from Residence Life with your residence hall, room number, your roommate, your suitemates and additional housing information.

3. New Student Registration sessions.

I know for a fact that every college and university has "New Student Orientation" or "New Student Registration" sessions over the summer. Even though the sessions may seem boring, they're really helpful because you get a ton of information about the essentials of the institution. You also get to meet your potential Student Ambassador/Student Adviser and/or your roommate and suitemates.

2. Welcome emails from your College/University.

As any and every college should, they send out welcome emails to all of their new students when they are accepted! The emails include a welcome statement (of course), important student information and important dates leading up to Freshman Orientation. Keep these emails. They are important.

1. ORIENTATION!

Orientation Day is the best thing to expect when preparing for college (in my opinion). You finally get to meet your Student Ambassador and others that are in your First-Year group, meet your Learner Mentor and have a blast with all the fun activities that they have planned for the day!

Preparing for college may be overwhelming, but you'll be so relieved when you finally settle in after Orientation Weekend. If you have any questions about anything, save the anxiety and ask! Someone will happily assist you with what you need!

This is Carrington Brown signing out for now. Check back in next week for the first installments of 'Days of the Week' and 'The Adventures of a Teenage College Student'! Peace out