Tips and resources for graduating seniors to make the transition from high school to college as smooth as possible. From freshman advising to resume writing, students will be ready to start the next phase of their educational journey on the right foot. Content available at: https://blog.raise.me/high-school-summer-planning-101/

1. Making the
Most of the
Summer
Before
College

2. 2Pre-Presentation
Guide
1.In just 30 - 35 minutes of classroom time, your students will walk through a guide to making the most out of the
summer before college. This lesson is meant to be a fun and engaging way to celebrate seniors for all of their hard
work during high school, as well as a way to prepare students for their first year of college so they can start off on the
right foot.
1.This lesson plan is relevant for students choosing to matriculate to a 2-year or 4-year institution, and for students who
might not be immediately going onto college but aspiring to do so in the future. We want to help celebrate all of your
high school students for making it to the end of their senior year!
1.Before you get started, remind your seniors that they can continue to earn scholarships once they go onto a 2-year
institution, with RaiseMe for community college students! Have seniors log into RaiseMe to indicate interest in
converting their account to a community college profile.
1.What you need for this presentation: a device with internet access and a projector or monitor to present to students.
Pre-Presentation Guide for
Educators
Before showing the following presentation to students, below is what you can expect &
what you’ll need to get started.

3. 3
Hey you! Congratulations!
If you’re reading this, pat yourself on the back, you’ve (nearly!) made it through the past four years
of high school!

4. 4
You’re. Seriously. Awesome.
We’re so incredibly proud of what you’ve accomplished both
inside the classroom and beyond!
We hope you’re taking these final weeks of school to:
● relax,
● catch up on sleep,
● and get ready for graduation!

5. 5
Take some time to say thanks!
In addition, take some time to thank your family,
friends, educators and mentors — or anyone in
your life who helped you make it across the
finish line.
They’ll appreciate the shout out more than you
know!

6. 6
Congrats on your path and next
steps!
Remember, there are many different paths to and through
college and career!
Whether you’re going onto a 4-year or 2-year institution,
starting a job, or spending time to plan out your next steps, we
hope you take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve already
achieved!
You’re off to great
places!
Today is your day!
Your Mountain is
waiting
So...get on your way!
—Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go

7. We’ve created this lesson plan as a resource for you
as you head into the summer.
You can refer to these slides and the accompanying
worksheet as you prepare for your next steps!
You can get started on this now, or anytime during
the summer after graduation!
Here’s how to make the most of
the summer before college
WE. WANT. YOU. TO. HAVE. THE.

8. Agenda
It’s a good idea to care of the following action items during
the summer before college:
● Connect with fellow admitted students
● Attend orientation or a summer program, if available
● Plan for your first meeting with a college advisor
● Research majors at your institution
● Schedule personal appointments
● Make a resume
● Research the town you’re going to live in
● If you’re going to a community college, sign up for RaiseMe for
transfers!

9. Connect with fellow admitted
students
Feeling unsure or a bit nervous about what the
first year of college might be like?
Don’t worry! And guess what? The entire class of
admitted students is feeling the exact same way as
you.
Connect with students on Facebook and social
media to kickstart the search for your next BFF!
To get connected with fellow students before the
school year, you can:
● Join your institution’s “class of [your
graduation year]” Facebook page, or other
silly student groups, such as UC Berkeley’s
Memes for Edgy Teens page
● Join Snapchat campus stories
● Join the smaller groups that may spinoff from
these social media accounts
● If your institution lets you choose your
roommate, consider connecting with them
over the summer online!

10. Attend orientation or a summer
program, if available
Summer programs and orientation:
Many colleges will offer orientation programs for newly
admitted students to get familiar with the campus and meet
their fellow classmates.
Sometimes schools will also offer summer programs. For
example, RaiseMe partner Syracuse University offers an
Outdoor Leadership Orientation Program, in addition to
regular orientation programming.
Your college will likely get in touch with you about orientation
and summer programs, but you can also learn more on your
school’s website by searching for your school name and “new
students orientation” or “admitted students summer
program”.
Check your school’s site for more information!
Get in contact with your school for more
information!

11. Plan for your first meeting with a
college advisor
What does advising look like during the first year of
college?
Your college will likely assign you to a first year or
freshman advisor — a person who works at your college
who will help guide you through the academic decisions
you will make during your first school year.
This person will usually meet with you to sit down and
discuss the classes you sign up for, the majors you’re
considering, and your academic plan.
The best way to get the most out of this relationship and
your first meeting is to come prepared with your
questions ahead of time.
We’ve started that list of questions for you, but feel free
to do some research, add more questions, or jot down
any additional notes!
Follow along with the accompanying worksheet,
and add items or your notes to the questions list
we’ve started for you!
Questions for my freshman year advisor:
1. I’m most interested in a career in
_____, or in _____ subjects. Which
majors might align with my interests?
2. What are the most popular freshman
courses?
3. Who are the most popular
professors?
4. How do I sign up for classes?
5. What resources are available for
students outside of class? Office
hours? Study groups?

12. Research majors at your
institution
Astrobiology, Popular Culture, Computer
Science, Wildlife Studies, Music, and
Dance...these are all real majors offered at
schools across the country, and they may be
offered at your school too!
Take some time this summer to visit your
college’s website, and see which Bachelor’s or
Associate’s degree majors they offer.
Jot down a few that seem most compelling to
you, and be sure and share those with your
freshman (or “pre-major”) advisor when you get
to campus.
Loyola Marymount University’s site has its own page
dedicated to explaining the majors offered at the
school! Check your college’s website for a similar type
of page!

13. Schedule personal
appointments
Use this summer to schedule check-
ups, doctors visits, and any other
appointments you need to take care of
before you ship off for college!
Even if you’re not going far from home
for school, it’s a good idea to get
appointments out of the way before
the academic school year, so you have
one less thing to think about when
you’re getting started!

14. Make a resume
What’s a resume?
The summer before college is a great time to sit down and start
a log of all the amazing things you’ve accomplished inside and
outside of the classroom, also known as a resume.
Log in to your RaiseMe portfolio for inspo — remember, by filling
out your RaiseMe portfolio you’ve essentially created an ongoing
record of all the great things you’ve already done in high school,
and this is a great jumping off point for building your resume.
While you don’t have to start working on your resume before
college, it’s not a bad idea to get a draft started so that you have
something ready to go once you consider applying to programs
or work outside of the classroom.
Once you get to college, visit the career services office (or
equivalent!) for resume templates and more hands-on help with
your resume draft!
You can find sample templates online, or at your college’s
career services office!

15. Make a resume
For sample resumes, check online and
on your school’s website, and also
consider making an appointment at
your college’s career center once you
get to campus.
Generally, most resumes will include
your educational background (maybe
your college’s name and your
graduation year), any work experience,
any volunteer experience or leadership
roles, and a summary statement
related to you and your job search.
You can log in to your RaiseMe account for
inspiration!

16. Research the town you’re going
to live in
Whether you’re moving as far away from home as
possible, or staying in your state for school, it can be
useful to get familiar with the place you’ll be living and
learning after high school.
Are there restaurants, grocery stores, and shops
within walking distance?
What is the weather like?
Where do students spend their time off campus?
How do I get around town?
These are all questions to consider and dig into a bit
over the summer!
RaiseMe partner, University of San Diego, is just a
short distance from downtown San Diego, Old Town,
Petco Park (for baseball!), and just 20 miles from the
U.S.-Mexico border. All these things help define the
unique climate and culture around campus!

17. If you’re going to a community
college, sign up for RaiseMe for
transfers! Are you planning to attend community college after high
school? That’s awesome! We have something new for you!
High school seniors with RaiseMe accounts can now easily
begin earning transfer micro-scholarships from four-year
colleges once they are enrolled in community college in
order to:
● Discover transfer institutions and earn transfer micro-
scholarships without needing to create a new RaiseMe
account.
● Continue the journey of connecting with four-year
colleges and earning micro-scholarships in the
transition from high school to community college and
in preparation for transfer.
Sign back into your RaiseMe account — you’ll be
prompted to start the conversion process once you sign in!

18. 18Good
Luck!
Good Luck!
If you have any questions, feel free to
reach out to the Raise.me team at
support@raise.me.

19. Congratulations
Again!
And Thank
You!