Tips for new freshman parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, I'm not that old and I remember packing my car and driving myself to campus for Freshman year. I felt very grown up and independent. My parents didnt even wake up to say goodbye that morning, as I left home at 5 AM so I'd arrive with lots of time to unpack (8 hour drive). I can't imagine parents sticking around for days or weeks. That's crazy.

Well what year was that? I graduated 1990 and my mom drove me to college! Just because you and your parents did it one way does not mean it is the right way for everyone.

+1
graduated same year and I wasn't 18 by the time school started so I had to show up with a parent
And if I had not I would have felt like a loser since every kid on my dorm floor had parents with them and in some cases boyfriends and grandparents.

[Anonymous]

How said would it be go leave for college and your parents don't even wake up to say goodbye???

I hope that poster has had some excellent therapy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a college student keeping in a lockable box? Curious, not snarky - was not planning on one for my child and wondering why they need it.

We were told to get this too.

My kid had one with a lock, they could hang over the rod in the closet. She has not felt she needed it.

I told her to keep her cash, credit card, insurance card, private medical records etc in it.

Other kids may have medication that could be taken.

Again, my kid does not plan to take it back next year.

I just thought that you don't know who is in your room when you are gone (for example, her visiting roommate from another country/doing semester abroad, came home one night with a total stranger. He was there when my DD woke up the next morning. THat did not make me too happy...but such is life at this age.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they have never Uber'd have them do it this summer.

Seriously? Do your kids live in the DC area? I can’t believe they haven’t taken an Uber or don’t have an Uber account. How do they get home from parties in high school?

Believe it or not, there are thousands of people on this forum who live in small towns with no Uber! Their families pick them up from parties or they drive their own cars. There is a world out there beyond DC area.

[Anonymous]

Check the county health department website for the where the college is located. Many will offer free downloadable forms. If the county doesn’t have it, try the state health department website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a college student keeping in a lockable box? Curious, not snarky - was not planning on one for my child and wondering why they need it.

Well unfortunately some kids will try to buy another kid’s Xanax or aderall, so it’s best to lock those up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:got to protect your stash.

Ok roll your eyes but it’s better to have money, computer, phone, etc protected rather than not.

My daughter takes anxiety meds so I want her to keep them locked up. Plus her debit card, cash, etc. She won’t need to carry it every day to class. I bought her a thread wallet as her school has swipe cards to get into buildings and she can put it in there. It also has a hook so she can put her dorm key on it. I also bought her a personal alarm on Amazon. Her rural school has a good safety record but you can never be too careful.

Her school has the mattresses wrapped in plastic but I also bought a zipped bed bug cover for the mattress on Amazon, mattress pad and the other bedding stuff the pp’s mentioned (comforter, blanket, sheets, pillow protectors, pillows and mattress topper).

I feel like I am constantly buying and still have more to get. Dh and I say we didn’t have half this stuff when we went and were fine but it’s fun.

[Anonymous]

My husband gave our DC great advice. Treat school like a job - get up fairly early - leave for class - stay on campus and study/work out between classes and try to wrap your work up before 5 (or whenever you return home for dinner) if you can. DC did this, had a blast in college, and just graduated Summa Cum Laude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband gave our DC great advice. Treat school like a job - get up fairly early - leave for class - stay on campus and study/work out between classes and try to wrap your work up before 5 (or whenever you return home for dinner) if you can. DC did this, had a blast in college, and just graduated Summa Cum Laude.

+1