10 #ThingsToDoTheSummerBeforeCollege

Summer's just getting started, but if you're part of the class of 2018 you'll be entering your first year of college before you know it. Check out the College of Charleston's list of 10 things to do this summer to help you prepare. You can also follow the #ThingsToDoTheSummerBeforeCollege hashtag on Twitter.

1. Go to your favorite hometown places

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You’ll have plenty of breaks over the next few years, but between study abroad and internship opportunities it could be a while before you live at home again. Eat at your favorite restaurants, walk through your favorite parks – make the most of your time at home.

2. Set up a budget

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You can use a website like Mint to create a budget that connects to your debit or credit cards. It’ll alert you when you’re over budget on, say, coffee or energy drinks and get you in the habit of saving before your first year.

3. Check out your course options

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The College requires First Year Experience courses for all first year students in either fall or spring semester, which is good news because they’re awesome. Look into the fun courses available at the College of Charleston or at your university to mix up your schedule of general education requirements and major prerequisites.

4. Connect with your roommate

Reach out to him or her on the phone or through Facebook to decide who’s bringing what to the room (most schools have a list of what you can and can't bring) – you don’t want to end up with four TVs in the common area. Make sure to leave the personal stuff until you actually meet, as it’s easy to lose tone in a text.

5. Buy weather-appropriate gear

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In South Carolina, hurricane season lasts from June to November – i.e. your orientation and almost your entire first semester of classes. College of Charleston students know to bring rain boots and umbrellas to school, and if your college is known for other extreme conditions you’ll be glad you came prepared too.

6. Speaking of orientation

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If you haven’t registered for an orientation session yet, just do it.

7. Take a road trip with your best friends

Whether your destination is two or 12 hours away, you’ll have a great time enjoying the sights and summer weather old friends.

8. Scout out some cool locations in your new college town

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Get to know the lay of the land before you move in – check out live music venues, inexpensive restaurants, fitness classes, etc. so it feels a little less daunting by the time you arrive.

9. Learn how to write a proper email

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Between professors, classmates and internship supervisors, you’ll write a lot of emails in college. Make it a habit to include an informative subject line and to sign your full name at the end of the message. Oh, and don’t start with “hey.”

10. Sharpen your mac & cheese skills

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Chances are Easy Mac and ramen noodles will be some of your closest friends on those late nights leading up to midterms, so you should know they require water. It might seem obvious, but dry-microwaved ramen has set off many-a fire alarm in first-year residence halls.