Preparing for University: How to Make the Most Out of Your Senior Year

Congratulations!  You’ve made it to the second half of your senior year of high school and it is surely an exciting time in your life. The academic pressure is (almost) gone and you probably have some milestone events coming up like senior prom and graduation. Most importantly, you are about to enter adulthood and may be heading off to pursue higher education with a bright future ahead of you.

Even though you’re almost done, you still have to pass final exams and tend to other important responsibilities before graduation. Here are a few things that you need to do before then.

Keep your grades up

Sure, maybe you’ve already been accepted to the university of your choice, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your grades during these last few months.  In fact, some schools require their incoming freshman keep a minimum GPA level in order to maintain an admission to the university.  Not only that, if you study hard during senior year, you may find that a majority of your introductory university classes are mostly review.  This lays a good academic foundation for a successful start as a freshman.

Stay involved

Successful high school students stay active in their extra-curricular activities and remain engaged members of the community.  Remain involved with issues that are important to you and impact your student experience.  More than likely, you will have an opportunity to continue your outside passions at the university level by joining a wide range of clubs and activities available to the student body.

Start planning

While you may have all summer to get ready, orientation day will be here before you know it. You should start planning your move now so that you don’t fall behind and become overwhelmed when the big day comes.   There are several things to consider such as finding living arrangements, choosing roommates, selecting a major and scheduling first semester courses.  In addition, you’ll need to purchase items like books and school supplies, as well as bedding and other necessary dorm/apartment furnishings.

Withdraw from you RESP

Now that you’re headed off to pursue a post-secondary education at an institution of higher learning, it’s time to reap the benefits from the money your parents or other family members have been putting away for you in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).  If your parents opened an RESP through providers like Children’s Education Funds, Inc. (CEFI),dealing representatives on hand at CEFI can help make the process an easy one.

The first step in the process is to make sure you have verified that your school is eligible for RESPs.  The list of designated educational institutions is regularly updated by ESDC on the Government of Canada’s website.  If you want to withdraw money from an RESP account, you’ll need to complete an application form and provide proof of enrollment.  Any withdrawals from an RESP account can be sent to either your parents (the subscriber) or to you (the beneficiary).

The transition from high school to university can be an exciting time in your life and one that is filled with memorable moments shared with family and classmates.