Leaving for college in the fall? Get organized and have fun this summer!

• Overhaul your closet. Dorm room closets feel like they’re about the size of a kindergarten cubby. There’s no chance you’ll have space for every last pair of shoes and jeans. Narrow it down to what you really need, and store the rest back home, give it away to charity or bring it to a consignment shop.

• Forward your magazine subscriptions. You’ll look forward to getting mail while living in a dorm.

• Get closer to your parents. Let your parents know how much you appreciate them by losing the attitude and spending more time together before you leave.

• Take a vacation. Even if it’s just a day trip with your best friends or a weekend with your family, you’ll need time to relax before the college chaos begins.

• Bond with your friends. If you’re leaving for college, summer will likely be the last time you see them before Christmas break.

• Buy fun stuff for your dorm. Cool lamps, posters of your favorite movies…get something that will bring out your personality.

• Read books for fun. You need downtime in the summer that’s still good for your brain. Seriously, how long can you play Guitar Hero II without wondering what else you could with your time?

• Volunteer. Take a day to work at an animal shelter or a soup kitchen. It’s good for your heart, and dare I say it, your résumé.

• Learn how to cook. You can impress your roommate and your neighbors by treating them to dinner á la you!  

• Save money! Try to save most or all of your earnings from your summer job to take with you to college. You’ll need it for books, drive-through lunches, emergency mall runs, toothpaste…see where this is going? Be cash prepared!