Heading to College ? Here's How to Make the Most of the Summer before ...

1. Widen out and Become a Social Butterfly

If you're an introvert with a small group of close peers, it's time to become a little more independent and widen out. If you're going to college alone, becoming more outgoing can help you transition into college life easier. I'm not suggesting completely transforming your personality. I understand you can't make an introvert and extrovert, but you can do little things here and there to widen out and make new friends. Don't turn down invitations to events that could help you improve your social skills.

2. Visit Your College Town One Weekend

If your college town is within driving distance, maybe you can take a weekend road trip to visit the area. Becoming a little more familiar with your new home might make it easier to move in August. You can bring your family, your friends, or you can prove your independence and go alone.

3. Road Trip with Friends

As you and your friends move in different directions, your friendships might cool off. This is especially true if you're going to different colleges. For that reason, make the most of your last summer at home with friends. Plan a weekend or week long road trip and create memories that will last a lifetime.

4. Take a Self-defense Class

Unfortunately, crimes do take place on campus – even well-known, highly respected college campuses. As a female, it doesn't hurt to learn different ways to protect yourself just in case you're caught in a situation. Taking a self-defense course with your girlfriends, your mother or your sister can provide necessary skills to fight off an attacker.

5. Read, Read, and Read Some More

If you love becoming engrossed in a wonderful novel, the summer before college is the best time to catch up on your reading list. Once you enter those college doors in August, you'll have little time for hobbies. Between attending class, studying and maybe a part-time job, you'll be so exhausted that you won't have time to read. Since you have two or three months, hit the library or download e-books.

6. Learn How to do Your Laundry

Not only will this make your mother proud, learning how to do laundry ensures your white stay white and your brights stay bright once you're living on a college campus. This might seem like a minor thing, but I've spoken to many 18-year-olds and 19-year-olds who didn't know the first thing about laundry. And unfortunately, they ruined several pieces of garments teaching themselves while at college.

7. Clean out Your Closet Early and Get Rid of Stuff

The sooner you start cleaning out your closet, the better. Since you have 2 1/2 months to kill, start going through your closet and getting rid of things you no longer need. You can also start packing up your fall and winter clothes.

The summer before college is an exciting time. You've just finished high school and ready to begin your adult life, but at the same time, you might be nervous about living on your own. Don't worry – you'll do just fine.

What are other ways to make the most of the last summer before college?