College planning can get tough, so what are the basic tips of planning for the four years ahead of you? Well it's simple- just remember to stay organized and focused. Make sure you have plenty of money available for school, because as we all know colleges can be pretty expensive. Fill out the FAFSA for government money at FAFSA. Make sure you don't just rely on that – try Fastweb to get scholarships and more information on which scholarships are available to you.

Next step, remember to stay in contact with your schools. Make sure you keep checking if there are updates with your schools' websites. Remember, filling out and sending the application was a big process, but following through is equally important.

Plan ahead, if you didn't take campus tours before applying – now would be the time. Choosing a college is a wise decision, however choosing a college before ever seeing it can be a very unwise decision- so make sure you know where you're going to!

And lastly, be smart about the situation – just because all your friends are going to a school doesn't make it a good school. Make sure the school of your choice is strong in the area of your intended major and field of study. Get to know someone at the school and learn more about the person as well as the school!

For more information:

Princeton Review

College Board