Dorm Sweet Dorm: The Ultimate Guide to College Transition + Free Downloadable Checklist
If you have a child getting ready to move to college for the first time, congratulations! Not only did your student make it through, but you did too. You survived the drama, tears and anxiety.
Oh, I’m not talking about high school, I’m talking about applying for college! My family has been there and I know what it’s like.
With applications behind you, it’s time to look ahead and prepare to launch your student.
The transition to college (and helping your child move out for the first time) can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. When my boys were headed to college, the key to reducing my anxiety was to be as prepared as possible and plan. I find this to be true for most things!
There are many moving parts to this transition, and I have tools to help! This blog contains general tips to help you and your student navigate this exciting time, along with a printable checklist for you to download and save for the future.
Step 1. PLAN AHEAD
The Dorm Room and Move
- Know your space. Get a diagram of the dorm room, with dimensions, as soon as you have the room assignment.
- Understand ahead of time what the university provides, allows and prohibits.
- Learn about move-in day logistics, timing and parking.
- Order dorm essentials online for local pick-up or delivery*. This is especially helpful for out-of-state moves.
- Use checklists to keep track of everything you need.
*Check on package delivery and pick-up protocols; there is often a delay in delivery – if you need something quickly, consider picking it up on your own.
Academics
- Don’t buy your books until classes start (required books vary depending on professor preference). You can often find used ones available online and sometimes at your university bookstore.
- Students: Verify the hardware and software requirements for your major and understand what is provided by the university and what you need to provide.
- Walk around campus before classes start to familiarize yourself with where your classes and the library are located. Understand how long it will take to walk or ride to class.
Budgeting
- College is expensive, and it’s important to create a budget that includes tuition, books, living expenses, and miscellaneous costs.
- Make sure everyone understands who is paying for what, and when. Write this down and take the emotion out of it. Understanding financial responsibilities helps students manage their money wisely and avoid unnecessary stress.
- Help your student understand and budget how much they need for fun things like going out, shopping and travel.
STEP 2: SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE
Provide Space
- Now is the time to take a step back and allow your student to make decisions and solve problems independently. This promotes growth, confidence and self-reliance.
- Recognize that they are now adults making their own decisions. Offer advice when asked but avoid being overly controlling or intrusive.
- Understand and respect their need for space and privacy. Avoid showing up unannounced or constantly checking up on them without reason.
Make a Communication Plan
- Talk about this before your student leaves. Plan, loosely, when you will connect. For my family it was on Sunday with one son and after Monday Night Football with the other. Don’t forget to download my free checklist!
- Be flexible; they don’t really know their schedule yet.
- Always remind them that you’re there no matter what, anytime, day or night.
- I was surprised by my urge to nest when each of my boys left for school. I would do a full cleaning and organizing of their rooms and other areas of the house too. Maybe it was a way to keep busy after all that stress and the emotions that go along with it. If this happens to you, embrace it and organize to your heart’s content.
Let’s be real: as exciting as this time is, it’s emotional for everyone involved. I found myself very reflective: Did I prepare my son(s) to be independent? Will they call when they need someone to listen? I wondered what I could (or should) have done differently. Sometimes this can be brutal.
Give yourself some grace. We do our best and although we may not have been perfect, hopefully we can make up for it with the grandkids!
