The College Girl’s Start of the Semester Checklist

Please note: This article was written and published several years ago and may no longer be accurate. Click here to view my more recent posts!

The semester is beginning yet again, ladies, and it’s never too late (or too early) to prepare—with the help of the very best college bloggers on the web. Luckily, all of our very best college-prep articles are in one spot for you to reference—so what are you waiting for? Start checking these things off your to-do list!

Have you…

1. Bought all of your dorm decor & necessities?

• What to pack:
  • Check out this ultimate packing list on The Classic Brunette
  • Or this one from Kayla Blogs
  • And this printable checklist from Graciela
  • Don’t forget these items, courtesy of Living in Full Bloom
• How to pack:
  • Stay clutter-free while packing with these tips from Gold&Hearts
  • Find out where to shop for your college dorm on Caiti Nicole Blog
  • Find out what not to bring to college on Caiti Nicole Blog
  • Remember these essentials to get you through your first week on Dani Dearest
  • Pack all your stuff up right with Kymberly Ann
• Decorate:
  • Prepare to move into your dorm with Jessica Slaughter
  • Decorate your dorm with washi tape with Tori Grace
  • Or decorate with a creative mood board, courtesy of B-Joyful Inspiration

2. Bought all of your school supplies?

• What to buy:
  • Check out these 13 school-supply essentials right here on Michelle Adams Blog
  • And even more must-have school supplies on Kayla Blogs
  • You’ll need these things when it’s time to study, courtesy of Endless May
• How to buy it:
  • Keep your costs low with this list of school supplies under $25 on Dani Dearest
  • Or buy from cheap stores, like Kristine suggests on My Little Box of Tricks
  • And here’s how to organize all the things you’ve just bought, on Killer Harmony

2.5 Bonus! Here’s how to pick a planner:

• Here’s what to think about when making your decision, on Dani Dearest
• Comparison shop on Kayla Blogs

3. Finished registering for all your classes?

• Pre-registration:
  • Learn how to make the most of your advising sessions with The Happy Arkansan
  • Consider your long-term plan first, and find more advice from Jessica Slaughter
• Register:
  • Learn how to register for classes by mind mapping on Dani Dearest
  • Or register the traditional way with The Swirl
  • If you have to register at freshman orientation, Alyssa shows you how on Living In Full Bloom
• If you’re thinking about online classes, read this first on Composed & Collected
• And prepare for them right here on Michelle Adams Blog!

4. Finalized your financial aid & student loans?

• Start your scholarship search with this guide to scholarship search engines, terms to know, and more!
• Earn scholarships:
  • Win some scholarships with the help of Exceptionally Emily
  • Check out this guide to private scholarships on The Happy Arkansan
• Don’t let student loans take over your life—let me help on ScholarshipPoints Campus Life

5. Purchased your textbooks?

• Consider all of your options with Kymberly Ann
• Hear real college students’ answers to all of your textbook questions, courtesy of Tori Grace
• Find the cheapest (possibly even free) textbooks with The Classic Brunette
• And when you’re ready to buy, check out Jessica Slaughter’s guide

6. Printed your syllabi & organized your due dates?

• How to organize:
  • Get your due dates together in a Due Date Spreadsheet right here on Michelle Adams Blog
  • Break down your syllabi with Gold&Hearts
• Set up your organization methods:
  • Set up your planner right here on Michelle Adams Blog
  • Or prepare your planner with Tori Grace
  • Organize your new agenda with the help of Lola on Macarons in the Morning
  • Or enlist in the help of Kayla Blogs to organize your planner

7. Packed your backpack?

• Watch: What’s in my backpack here on Michelle Adams Blog
• And read what’s in Amelie’s backpack on A Wanderer’s Adventures
• Don’t leave out these 3 these backpack necessities, from Rebekah at Life And Times Of A College Student
• And remember these 9 essentials from Dani Dearest

8. Introduced yourself to your classmates & professors?

• Make friends:
  • Get to know your classmates with The Happy Arkansan’s advice
  • And find the right people for you with The Happy Arkansan, too
  • Make friends with these tips on Living In Full Bloom
• Build relationships with professors:
  • Get to know your teachers with The Happy Arkansan
  • Use office hours to your advantage, courtesy of As Told By Sunny
• You can get along with your roommate with the help of The Classic Brunette
• If you’re an introvert:
  • Learn to branch out on A Wanderer’s Adventures
  • Check out the Do’s & Don’t’s of College for Introverts, courtesy of yours truly on ScholarshipPoints Campus Life

9. Made a budget?

• Create your budget with Kymberly Ann
• Cut unnecessary spending with The Happy Arkansan
• Check out these 7 tips for managing your money in college, courtesy of yours truly on ScholarshipPoints Campus Life
• Learn how to save while in college with Kayla Blogs

10. Picked out your outfits?

• Get some outfit inspiration from Christina on Society19
• Check out my college outfits on a college student’s budget, right here on Michelle Adams Blog
• Then go shopping at these lesser-known, cheap clothing stores, courtesy of Rebecca from ScholarshipPoints Campus Life
• And get student discounts from these 14 stores, listed by Amanda on ScholarshipPoints Campus Life
• Do your makeup quickly before class with these tips from Gold&Hearts
• Finally, get your beauty essentials cheap with the help of Endless May

Once you get through all of these, you’ll be totally ready for the semester ahead!

What are your favorite back-to-school articles on the web? Share with us in the comments!