The transition from living at home to attending classes on a campus can be daunting for new students. They’re going to need all the guidance and support they can get, and that’s where you come in.
But parents don’t always have all the answers—sometimes, you need a little support too. Planning for college can be overwhelming, but deciding where to start and getting your ducks in a row is half the battle. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place!
Read on for a checklist to prepare your child for college life so you can have peace of mind knowing they’re on the path to success.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
One of the most important aspects of college readiness is working out the finances. Once your child has been accepted to the college of their choice, it’s already time to start applying for financial aid.
This means applying for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) like grants and loans. Your child may also need help researching and applying for scholarships. Their school will likely offer several, but there are also many websites where you can search for outside scholarships your child may qualify for.
Another option is to look into work-study programs that allow your child to work a part-time job (no more than 20 hrs/week) that still leaves them time for classes and studying. Their pay will contribute to their tuition.
This is also a good way to give your child some work experience to put on their resume, teach them responsibility, and help them develop a work ethic.
Visit or call the campus’ financial aid office for more assistance.
Take a Tour of the Campus
To help orient your student, it’s a great idea to take a trip with them to see the campus. Not only can this be a great bonding moment, but your child will also be able to familiarize themselves with their new environment, giving them a better sense of security when orientation week rolls around.
Your child will likely get a map and a tour during orientation, but that week can be so overwhelming in terms of new information. Getting them acquainted with the campus beforehand can help ease them into the change.
If your child is nervous about starting college, an in-person tour may foster some excitement. And, for your sake, being able to visualize your child on campus when they tell you about all their adventures can help you feel more connected to them from afar.
If you can’t make the trip due to distance, you may be able to check the college’s website and download a map or even take a virtual tour.
Research Clubs and Events
You may need to take some initiative when it comes to extracurricular activities. Some students are too preoccupied with choosing classes, moving in, and getting situated to think about their activities outside of class just yet.
They may also view clubs and events as taking on extra responsibility. However, this is where your student is likely to meet the most people and form long-lasting communities. Many students miss out on getting to know people the first year if they miss this step.
Don’t force your child into anything—college is all about choosing your own path—but it may help to research the clubs and events available on campus that your child may be interested in attending.
Make Sure They Attend Orientation
One of the most important things for college preparation is orientation day/week. This is when new students are provided with helpful resources and given all the information they’ll need to succeed in their studies, navigate the campus, find new friends, and meet academic or scholarship requirements.
Make sure your student understands how important this first week is and knows where to go. We recommend even double and triple checking the dates and times of orientation week to make sure your child doesn’t miss out.
Get Them Connected With Their Counselor
A college counselor is the number one resource for success. If your child has any questions about the way things work on campus, a counselor will point them in the right direction. They are also available to help your child navigate classes and decisions surrounding their major and future career options.
However, not all students are aware that they have a counselor who is always available to assist them. Make sure they have the contact information for their counselor.
Keep in mind that because your child is likely 18, a college counselor will not be able to contact you directly or provide information to you without your child’s express permission.
Life Skills: Meal Planning
This is an often-overlooked area of college life. Too many students are sent out into the world with all the academic knowledge they’ll need, yet very few life skills. They’ll need both to succeed in college, and in life.
If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to spend some time before they leave teaching them the basics of cooking and nutrition. Teach them how to make their favorite simple meals and how to budget for groceries.
If they have a meal plan on campus, teach them about the importance of healthy nutrition so that their minds will remain sharp. Among a host of other negative health effects, poor nutrition can create brain fog that will make it hard to study and pay attention during classes.
Life Skills: Cleanliness/Hygiene
Continuing with the theme of life skills, it’s surprising how many college students don’t know the basic tenants of cleanliness.
If you often do your child’s laundry or clean their space, spend some time before they leave asking them to do it themselves and teaching them anything they don’t know how to do. We know you love your child so much that you’d do anything for them, but eventually they’ll need to take on this responsibility.
Explain such important aspects as which cleaning solutions work on which surfaces, which chemicals should never mix, how often they should wash their bedding, etc. Helping them develop better habits will keep your child healthy (and their roommates happy).
Help Them Reach Out to Their Roommates
Many colleges allow students to choose their roommates or match them up according to personality, interests, or majors. However your child’s college groups students, they should know who they are moving into their dorm with before orientation week.
Assist your child with finding ways to connect with their future roommates and encourage them to reach out. If they can get to know their roommate before classes start, they may have a built-in friend when they get there, or at least feel more comfortable living with a stranger.
Inform them that if they have issues with their roommate, they can always contact their counselor for help switching to another dorm.
Stay in Contact
It’s a good idea to check in on your child to make sure everything is going well and offer advice when needed.
Some parents have a hard time when their child transitions to college life and call often. Others assume their child needs their space and rarely reach out. Depending on the relationship you have, they may prefer more or less contact for the first year. As hard as it can be, it’s a good idea to let your child set the pace.
And either way, make sure they know you are always there for them. College can be the best years of their life, but they can also be the scariest. No matter how independent they seem, they’re going to miss their parents and need your help from time to time.
We wish your child the best of luck in the transition to life on a college campus. With your support, they’re bound for greatness!
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