with Joanne Barnard
The Home Stretch
Seniors, your last month of high school is here. This series has given you a monthly to-do list to prepare for life beyond high school and culminates in this article. Among the last few items to deal with are housing contracts, orientation and actually moving forward.
Housing ContractsWhether you are living on campus, in an apartment, or staying home, make sure you have read and understand what is expected of you to maintain your housing arrangement – from timely payments to respectful cohabitation. For on campus housing, note when dorms are open. Many are closed during breaks, and you have to pay additional fees if you are planning to stay. This will also apply to food services. Read your contract.
Orientation
Meeting with an advisor, signing up for fall courses, possible placement tests, etc., are all part of preparing for postsecondary education. Just as you had a set of requirements for graduating from high school, a course catalog will give you guidelines for major-specific graduation requirements. Obtain and keep a copy of the catalog for your year; these are the standards to which you will be held. Determine whether any of your previous work, such as AP Tests, will apply towards credit. Discus options with an advisor and ponder the load of your schedule - how many classes, when they occur, their difficulty and variety. Both housing and orientation may involve advance payments which may be non-refundable.
Household List
Colleges provide a list of recommended items to bring. This list is useful for anyone who is moving out and establishing a home of their own. It is usually broad, so wait until you know more about your room – bring what best suits you and collaborate with your roommate if possible. Resist the temptation to buy all new stuff, the money saved is better used for ‘delivery’ pizza when you can’t stomach cafeteria food one more night.
Managing The Money
An accurate accounting of qualified education expenses is useful come tax time to meet the criteria for credits. Tracking expenses also maximizes efficient use of funds. Consider opening a separate account for funneling all education costs with both you and your parents named on the account. For example: money from a 529* can be deposited to this education account and you can use the money to purchase books.
Class Of 2012
Toward the end of this month The Lyons Recorder will publish your decisions. Along with your senior picture will be your plans for life beyond high school. Whatever your plan - college, work, technical school, or a gap year, embrace it courageously. Cultivate happiness. Keep in mind that independence is not isolation. Relying on your parents and other adults for help and advice;is wise, and from time to time, necessary. How you arrived as part of the class of 2012 is done, what you make of it is up to you. Okay, off you go!
*529 plans have tax advantages and are designed for higher education savings.
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