College Bound? Things To Take And Not Take

It’s been more than twenty years since I sent my first-born off college bound to an institution of higher learning and I learned a lot from that experience.

As a parent, your goal is to make it as positive an experience as possible for your child.  Freshmen will have enough challenges.  Blending in like the other newbies in the dorm is better than standing out “like a sore thumb”.  If your child has been fortunate to have their own room or never been to camp, that may be hard to do.  Here’s some hard-earned advice for parents and students.  Note there’s only one picture today.  All else that’s needed is just good manners and common sense.

Dorm don’t-brings for students:

• No extra furniture until you get there, see the space and meet your roommate
• Kitchen Appliances-Duh, there’s a cafeteria and you won’t starve without them! Besides, you’ll have enough trouble as it is avoiding that Freshman extra poundage.  One exception-bring a coffeemaker or some other method of heating water for tea, coffee, or hot chocolate for early morning starts or late night staying awake.
• Personal treasures and high school memorabilia-If it’s really “dear”, best to leave at home as there’s little room for lots of nicknacks which can be broken or lost.
• Clothes-you don’t have a walk-in closet.  Chances are you will go home for breaks and can switch wardrobes then

Don’t-be-withouts for students:

• Above mentioned coffee maker
• A reliable alarm, or more if necessary!
• Febreze-for whenever necessary (like before your parents visit)
• A way to personalize the dorm room, which can be done with temporary, reusable wallcovering.

Cardinal rules for parents:

• Although it’s hard, let your child go.  It’s just another part of growing up for both of you.  I had a friend who actually got a local phone directory so if her daughter needed some local service like shoe repair or dry cleaning, she could offer advice from afar.  Remember, that was in the days before computers and cell phones!
• It’s the student’s space, not yours.  The more you send and the more matchy-matchy it is, the more difficult for your child to blend in.
• Accept it.  You have lost control!  No matter how nice you think you’ve organized and personalized the space, don’t come back in a month or maybe even in a week

–  Lorre Lei