So You’ve Committed to Hillsdale. Now What?

Written by Lauren Smyth

     The first thing I did when I committed to Hillsdale College was buy a pennant—a souvenir that still hangs on my bedroom wall. And then, after I’d admired the fancy collegiate lettering and had my picture taken with it about a thousand times, I started to wonder: OK, I’m official. But now what?

     Even if it’s too early to worry about decorating your dorm, finding an on-campus job, or convincing your parents to let you borrow their car for the semester, there are a few things you can do right away to prepare for move-in day. 

  • Establish a spending plan and budget—and start saving yesterday.

     You know what’s expensive? Coffee. You know what nearly every college student consumes on a monumental scale? That’s right—coffee. Yes, the dining hall supplies nearly infinite locally roasted coffee from Ad Astra, but they won’t be open at 9 PM the night before your exam. These are the kinds of expenses you’ll want to plan in advance.

     Start by calculating how much money you’ll need to kick off the semester. Factor in all the large, one-time charges like tuition, parking fees, textbooks, dorm equipment, etc. Next, make a plan for how much you’ll spend each month on things like groceries, gasoline, trips to Target with friends, and plants. (If you think you won’t end up owning plants in college, think again.)

     Remember: The sooner you start saving and budgeting, the less you’ll have to worry about it once classes start, and the more spending flexibility you’ll have.

  • Explore Hillsdale from afar.

      Instagram is the college student’s platform of choice for long-distance networking with other students, and Hillsdale’s online community is vibrant and entertaining. To meet students from the class of ’27, or to get your own photos/bio featured, visit @hillsdaleclassof27. If you’re curious about college-hosted events for students, check out @hillsdale_SAB. Maybe you like to spend your Friday evenings dancing, and you’re hoping to get involved with @hc_swing_club. Or perhaps you’d like to learn more about @hillsdale_campusministries. Even if you don’t have an Instagram account, a simple Google search for the College’s social media can help you get to know what events the College is hosting, what clubs students love, and what programs might interest you.

     Another tip: Once you know who your roommate will be, send them an email. The sooner you get to know each other, the less you’ll feel like you’re moving in with a complete stranger.

  • Spend time with your friends at home.

     You’re going to college. (Spoiler alert.) Maybe they are, too. You might end up a few hours from each other, or you might be crossing the country. Either way, once you start college, it may become difficult to keep in touch with your friends from back home. This summer is your opportunity to spend time with them, make sure you have their contact information, and (while you’re at it) invite them to visit Hillsdale. Who knows—maybe they’ll love it so much, they’ll decide to transfer and join you.

  • Develop good habits.

     Learn to cook a healthy meal or two that you can make quickly during a late-night study session, when the cafeteria is already closed and all that ancient philosophy or economic theory is making you peckish. Figure out what snacks you like. Make a plan for staying hydrated. Develop a schedule for laundry, dishes, and other chores. The sooner you start, the sooner these necessary tasks will become swift and second-nature.

  • Collect your insurance and ID paperwork.

     You’ll need these if you ever visit the doctor, get an on-campus job, or drive a car. Here’s a short list of the basics:

  • Driver’s license
  • Medical insurance card
  • Passport (if you have one)
  • Social Security card (especially if you plan to work)
  • Birth certificate
  • Health records
  • Checkbook and other banking information

     Don’t forget to think of a safe place to store these documents, like a lockable file folder or a brightly colored box that won’t get lost in the luggage.

  • Get to know the College’s IT system.

     My.Hillsdale.edu will be your best friend on campus. From there, you can access your Outlook email account, your transcripts, a list of important dates, free tickets to athletic events, and much more. Familiarize yourself with the site in advance so you know where to find everything.

     Also, don’t forget to download the Ellucian GO app for Android or iOS. This lets you access your class schedule, cafeteria menus, and much more directly from your smartphone.

     If you get stuck, don’t worry. Hillsdale’s IT specialists are here to help!

     Taking these six steps before arriving on campus will help prepare you to pursue excellence in college. They’ll help you stay relaxed, enjoy the process, and trust that you’re ready for whatever comes next.

     Now that you’ve bought your pennant, modeled your college sweatshirt for all the extended family you didn’t even know you had, and made a dorm inspiration Pinterest board, don’t forget to visit the Hillsdale College blog for more move-in tips and tricks throughout the summer!

Lauren Smyth, ’25, is a prospective political economy major and French minor. Outside of starting arguments in philosophy class, she enjoys curling up on a bench outdoors (sun, rain, or snow) to write novels or articles for her blog, www.laurensmythbooks.com.

Published in May 2023