Graduation is upon us and that means the future (college future) for many, lies ahead. While it’s tempting to take the summer off, and you want to spend as much time with your future college student as possible,
Get organized and set up a calendar
Preparing for a semester is a key part to ensure academic success!
College students find themselves juggling classes, homework, work, parties, clubs, organizations, dates, volunteering, and everything in between. With only 24 hours in the day, and only one mind to juggle it all, this can be a lot to manage.
Register for orientation and make plans for parents weekend
Register now for new student/parent orientation and make plans to attend. While you do that, get information on parents weekend and make those travel plans early. Hotels around the campuses tend to fill fast as the time approaches. Lock down your plans now.
Have some important conversations
It’s always good to talk about budgeting and time management. Without you to remind them, it will be easy to forget to do certain tasks and plan for tests and assignments. Establish a budget and encourage them to keep to it.
Don’t forget to discuss risky behavior and the consequences surrounding those behaviors. You’ve probably had these conversations before but it doesn’t hurt to talk about them again.
Encourage your student to connect with future roommate(s)
Got assigned random roomies? Break the awkward ice and reach out to them!
If you’re provided an email, send them a simple note introducing yourself and sharing your excitement for the upcoming year. Don’t dive into the nitty gritty “I wake up every morning at 8am, play music while I shower in the morning, and need silence from the hours of 3pm-5pm to do yoga” details, just a quick “hey!” will do.
If you’re given their phone number, start a group text conversation and send a quick introduction and ask everyone where they’re from – that will get the conversation rolling.
Eventually you’ll want to figure out who is bringing what of the bigger items (mini fridge? chairs? microwave?) so you don’t buy duplicates.
Go dorm shopping
Go dorm shopping but don’t get carried away. Odds are your student will need less than you think and remember those rooms are small and crowded. Get the basics and you can purchase anything you might need beyond that once your student moves in.
Buy textbooks
Don’t wait until arriving on campus to purchase textbooks. Get a list at orientation and start comparing prices. You may decide to rent instead of buy, or buy used to save some money. The books on campus will be new and expensive and possibly gone if you wait until school starts.
Apply for scholarships
Encourage your student to keep searching and applying for scholarships throughout college. There are scholarships available for current college students in all types of disciplines.
Schedule family time
Go on a vacation together, schedule weekly movie nights, set aside day trips as a family, or simply hang out around the pool. These times will help when you are separated and your student feels homesick. He can remember the great times you had together and look forward to more.
Discuss move-in day
Talk about move-in day and what your student expects of you. Agree on a time for you to leave and how to say goodbye. It’s going to be emotional for you and deciding in advance where and how to say goodbye will help.
Check on campus website for incoming freshman checklist
Look on the college website for incoming freshman checklists. They may have a list of dorm essentials, study essentials, move-in day schedules, etc. Follow these guidelines as your student prepares for move-in day.
Get a physical checkup (prescriptions)
Go to the doctor, dentists, gynecologist, optometrist, etc.
- Get your checkup
- Get your teeth cleaned
- Get contacts and glasses prescriptions
- Order your contacts
- Make sure all prescriptions are filled and ready for refills if necessary (ask about transferring to a local pharmacy near college)
Verify all insurance coverages
Check to make sure your student is covered on your health insurance and their dorm contents are covered on your homeowner’s policy. If not, consider purchasing additional insurance while they are in college.
Join parents facebook group and follow college on Instagram and Twitter
There is likely a parents facebook group for your student’s college. It’s a good idea to join to stay abreast of any parent activities and school activities as well.
You should also follow the college on Instagram and Twitter. Colleges post emergency updates and important information on these social media channels.
Make sure your school has your financial aid ready for you
By now, you should’ve already applied for financial aid. If not, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ASAP!
Early summer is a great time to check with the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend to make sure your financial aid is and all paperwork is complete. This will help you avoid any unnecessary surprises or financial aid delays when you arrive on campus.
If you’re using student loans to help you pay for college, make sure you’re borrowing only what you need and keeping track of what you’re borrowing.
Apply for work-study jobs on campus
If you were awarded federal work-study, here are eight things you need to know. For starters, being awarded work-study does not guarantee you a job. Some schools match students to jobs, but most schools require students to find, apply and interview for 0find out what positions are available and how to apply. The most sought after work-study jobs are often filled quickly, so get started now!
The summer before college is an exciting time, but it is also a busy time. Use your time wisely and be prepared for move-in day.