With all the effort you put into picking the right college, you might be tempted to take a break. However, narrowing down your list of college choices is only the beginning. A brief list of activities that still lie ahead include:

• Assessing your long-term goals.
• Preparing for standardized tests.
• Picking which and how many colleges to visit.
• Knowing how to get the most from your college visits, including the right (and wrong) questions to ask.
• Learning about the college application process, including deadlines, the difference between “early action” and “early decision” and how to get your application fees waived.
• Getting solid letters of recommendation.
• Putting together the right application essays.
• Practicing to ace your application interview.
• Finding resources for college financial aid.
• And, of course, making your final choice.

Even after you’ve made your choice, your work is not quite done yet! The time between receiving your letter of acceptance and the end of your first academic semester will present you with some surprising challenges. Fortunately, if you put in a strong effort now you will have assuredly picked a college that’s not only right for you but that has the necessary resources to help you through your first year all the way through graduation.