How to be better prepared before your child goes off to college and what you can do to help them before they leave.
Sending your teen off to college is a time of overwhelming mixed emotions. Parents may be stressed, sad, and worried about the next phase in their child’s life, but at the same time, they may feel excited and filled with pride of their child’s achievements.
Plan A Family Trip
If you can afford to plan a family trip before your child goes to college, it will be an excellent way for the family to spend some quality time together. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant; a small getaway could be a good idea as you never know if they will be available during the summer of next year. They could be working or taking part in an internship, so you wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity.
Book Reservations
As soon as your child is accepted into a college, start booking hotels and flight reservations so that you can visit them and attend college functions, and they can visit you during holidays.
Have Fun One-On-One Time
The key is to spend as much time with your teen as you can before they leave. While there must be many important things you wish to say to them, you must also spend some time having fun together. It could be a hike, a local tour, a casual coffee, anything that involves quality time with just the two of you.
Have An Open Discussion On Open Communication
Some students keep in touch with their families, and some disappear. It is essential to keep a balance and let your teen know how many times they are expected to call you and let you know how everything is going. Also, remind your teen about the effect their leaving will have on their siblings and to try to stay in touch as much as possible.
Help Make The Most Of College Benefits And Support
Encourage your teen to take advantage of any opportunities to speak with faculty, coaches, deans, councilors, and chaplains about their interests and concerns. As your child will be treated as an adult in college, you must help them make more independent decisions to work through difficulties and opportunities they will face in college.
Encourage Light Packing
As college dorms are small and usually shared with 1 or 2roommates, they cannot pack everything they own. Ask them to stick to the basics like clothing, toiletries, shoes, storage solutions, and school supplies. Don’t forget to pack necessities like a zippered mattress cover that keeps bed bugs away, an external hard drive, or a fan.
Saying “See You Later,” Not “Goodbye”
Saying goodbye to your college freshman is bittersweet, with a rollercoaster of emotions, but it won’t sting as much if you are well-prepared. Remember that your teen is about to embark on a four-year-long journey of personal development, growth, self-discovery, hard work, and fun. Embrace reality with excitement. In no time, your teen will be visiting during winter break and spending precious time with you and your family.
