college Archives — College Planning Center and GuidesCollege Planning Center and Guides

A group of students sitting at lecture hall desks with notebooks, papers, and backpacks while studying together.

Ways to Make Back-to-School Shopping Less Stressful

Make back-to-school shopping less stressful with practical tips for planning and prioritizing essential purchases. Start the school year prepared.

Woman with a yellow backpack enters a security code on a building keypad while holding an envelope and keys.

Important Tips for Living off Campus Safely

Follow practical tips for safer off-campus living, from securing your apartment to planning transportation and building smart everyday habits.

A college student sitting in a car trunk with moving boxes packed around them as they prepare to leave home for college.

Bringing a Car to College? 5 Pre-Move-In Maintenance Tasks

Taking your car to college adds freedom to campus life, but a few maintenance checks before move-in can prevent car trouble once the semester gets underway.

Indoor hydroponic garden systems with leafy herbs growing beneath LED lights on a tabletop, illuminating a compact space.

Advantages of Hydroponics for Dorm Rooms

Learn the unique advantages of hydroponics for dorm rooms and grow fresh plants in limited space with simple, low-maintenance indoor systems.

A college student pets a small dog while using a laptop on a couch, with study materials on the table.

Budgeting for Unexpected Pet Expenses at College

Budgeting for unexpected pet expenses at college prepares students for emergency veterinary costs and responsible financial planning during school.

Multiple cardboard boxes are stacked in a room with a dresser and white walls. A woman tapes a box shut.

5 Things in Your Dorm That You Won’t Need in an Apartment

Are you upgrading to an apartment next semester? Before move-in day, think about the items from your college dorm that you won’t need in an apartment.

Friends move into a bright home, carrying a cardboard box and tall green plant through the open front door.

Property Maintenance Red Flags for Student Renters

Fresh paint can hide bigger problems. Learn how student renters can identify maintenance red flags and choose a safer first apartment.

A person fills out a student loan application with a red pen on a wooden desk beside a book and earbuds.

Before You Borrow Again: A Student Loan Checkup

Before borrowing again, learn how a simple student loan checkup can help you avoid extra debt and make smarter choices for the next school term.

Three young boys navigating red barriers as part of an athletic practice drill on a turf football field.

The Dos and Don’ts of Training for Incoming Freshmen

For incoming freshmen, training for college athletics is a significant adjustment. Here, we explain some of the dos and don’ts of training for freshmen.

A group of people wearing white lab coats watching an older man use a pipette at a laboratory table.

What to Expect in Your First College Research Lab

Learn what to expect in your first college research lab. Build confidence with clear guidance on training, safety, and early responsibilities.