Surprise! College Is Just Around the Corner

With the month of June behind us, so are prom and commencement festivities, enabling graduated high school seniors to settle into their summer routines. 

Some are now counselors at local or sleepaway camps, others are working at retail stores or office jobs and still others are simply soaking up the sun. Barbeques and beach days abound and schedules are more relaxed than during the school year.

 But no one should grow too accustomed to the lazy days of summer- this is merely the calm before the storm.  In the next few weeks, many of these teens will be headed off to college away from home and chaos will reign in the days leading up to their departure.  

Although it is an exciting time , it is also stressful for teens to begin this journey and for their parents to help them get everything accomplished before the move-in  date and to envision what life will then be like at home when that date has passed.

This is certainly the time to start keeping lists but there are many other steps parents and their college bound children can take to manage their time and minimize anxiety:

Parent or student should obtain from the residential life department of the college a list of items suggested for the move-in, those that are not allowed at the particular school and those which are provided by the school. 

For example, some schools do not permit microwaves in the dorms, while others either provide them or expect that the students will bring them. Coordination between roommates regarding the purchases of large items such as t.v.s or refrigerators  will avoid duplication and unnecessary cost.

It is also advisable to check ahead of time what banks are on or convenient to the campus and to set up a banking arrangement for the student prior to arrival at college.  For teens who have never done their own banking, learning how to budget and even how to use the ATM or debit card can be daunting and should be practiced over the summer.

The parent or student should also check with the college what  administrative matters can be handled prior to arrival at the school to make the move-in process less chaotic.  For example, many colleges allow students to apply for an ID card ahead of time or to take placement or alcohol awareness tests online, during the summer.

Most families are familiar with the registry service offered by Bed, Bath and Beyond which enables the teens to select dorm items at the local Plainview store and pick them up when they get to school at the Bed, Bath location closest to the college.  There is no obligation to buy the items selected and the order can be modified.  Even if the student ultimately determines to purchase items from other vendors once at the school, knowing that the goods are there, if needed, can relieve a lot of anxiety. 

For those parents who view the move as bittersweet, parenting experts advise that the wistfulness will subside once they know that their children are happy at school. For those who’d rather not test the theory, it helps to make plans for parents’ weekend in the fall  and to learn now how to videochat with your teen once they’re away--- assuming they’ll give you five minutes of their time when they’re at school!