34 How to Prepare for College Prompts

College is a time of immense change for any teen who is just finishing up high school—and it’s never too early to start preparing your students for all that lies ahead.

High School Writing Prompts to Prepare for College

Whether they’re moving cross-country to live in a dorm or staying at home and going to a community college, your students are in for some big surprises and even bigger life lessons as they enter into their first few years of adulthood.

These writing prompts will help your students learn how to prepare for college and get them ready for the incredible new experiences they’ll face. With writing topics ranging from academic goals to how to make new friends, there’s plenty here for students to reflect on. And with each new entry they write, they’ll develop a greater awareness of and appreciation for what it means to start this monumental new chapter in their lives.

Use these 34 new writing prompts to help your high schoolers learn how to prepare for college and get excited for all the amazing adventures they’re about to have!

How to Prepare for College: 34 Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

What schools are you considering? Discuss what appeals to you about each one?
Do you think you would be happier at an in-state or out-of-state school? Why?
Do you plan to live in a dorm? Why or why not?
What aspect of college are you most excited about? Why?
What aspect of college are you most nervous about? Why?
What types of scholarships are you applying for? Do you think you’ll receive any?
Are your parents excited for you to go to college? Why or why not?
What do you want to study in college? Why? If you’re not sure yet, how do you plan to decide?
What extracurricular activities do you want to participate in during college? What attracts you to them?
Would you ever want to study abroad? Why or why not?
Will you have a job while you’re in college? Why or why not?
How will you make sure you are managing your time effectively in college?
Would you consider going to a school where you didn’t know anyone? Why or why not?
How many years do you think you’ll spend in college? Would you consider an advanced degree? Why or why not?
Do you think you’ll stay in touch with your high school friends in college? Why or why not?
What does “the college experience” mean to you?
Make a list of things you would like to learn and accomplish in college.
Why do you want to go to college? What do you hope to get out of it?
What questions do you have about college? Where can you go to find the answers you need?
Do you think you will adapt well to the freedom of college? Why or why not?
What type of college class schedule do you think will be ideal for you?
Write a letter to yourself to be read on the day of your college graduation.
Do you plan to “reinvent” yourself at all when you get to college? What might you change?
In what ways do you think college will be most different from high school?
What are some things you can do to make sure you stay safe at college?
What is your top goal that you hope to achieve in college? How will you prioritize it?
Do you think college will be easier or more difficult than high school? Why?
What aspect of high school will you miss the most?
Make a list of things you can do at the beginning of the year to make sure your college experience is a positive one.
How would you like people at college to think of you? How can you present yourself in that way?
Do you think college will effectively prepare you for “the real world”? Why or why not?
If you could see ahead to the day of your college graduation, what question would you ask yourself about how your time in college went?
What would you do if you had a roommate who was loud, messy, or annoying?
Do you think you’ll join a fraternity or sorority? Why or why not?