Tips for new freshman parents

[Anonymous]

Less is better. Two sets of sheets, two sets of towels, one fork, one spoon, one knife, one plate, one mug. If they have a hallway bath, a bucket or other carrying case for toiletries.

Not too many clothes,so they do their laundry more often. 😁

Shared fridge with roommate.

[Anonymous]

This year will not be normal, try to keep expectations down.

[Anonymous]

They will miss the dog more than they miss you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BEFORE THEY LEAVE be sure to have your child sign a HIPPA/FERPA release forms, medical power of attorney, and durable power of attorney in the event of hospitalization. If they are over 18, many states will not give you medical info if your child is over 18. Forms vary by state and are free to download.


"Three forms—HIPAA authorization, medical power of attorney, and durable power of attorney—will help facilitate the involvement of a parent or other trusted adult in a medical emergency.

If a student attends college out of state, fill out the forms relevant to the home state and school state to avoid any challenges. If the school has its own form, sign that one too, Warsh says. “When the doctor or medical institution sees it, you want them to be familiar with it and recognize it,” she says."

Keep scanned copies of the executed documents on your phone.

https://www.consumerreports.org/health-privacy/help-your-college-age-child-in-a-medical-emergency/

New poster. THIS is the most important post on this whole thread. This matters infinitely more than Target runs or shower caddies. Don't let little details like those make you forget to do what this PP says. Especially now, in the age of Covid (and yes, it can and does sicken "healthy college-age adults" no matter how much you read otherwise on these forums), you absolutely as the parent need to have these documents done. Use an attorney if you can. We got one locally to do the medical and durable powers of attorney for around $150 total--easy, and we never even had to go to the attorney's office for it.

If your college age young adult is hospitalized -- not just for covid, but much more likely for something else -- you may rush there to find doctors will not give you any details and you have no authority to approve or disapprove treatments. Even if your student is on your health insurance, if he or she is 18 or older, they're a legal adult and your own insurance company paid for via your own employer is likely to say you cannot be given any information about treatment.

If you think this is overreacting, fine. I decided to get those things the PP lists last year after readiing real-life accounts here on DCUM about families where the parents were shut out of medical decisions when a college age child was incapacitated while at college.

These are easy documents to get, you just have to put in a little effort and TALK to your college student about them. Both your student and you (and spouse or other adult) need to have copies readily available to show hospitals, doctors and the school.

[Anonymous]

Get check ups and refills for birth control pills, Epi Pens and inhaler meds now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This year will not be normal, try to keep expectations down.

and send a minimum of stuff.

[Anonymous]

The advice re medical directives and forms is good. Make sure your child knows how to refill any prescriptions (when to do it online or on the phone vs needing to call a doctor for a new prescription).

For this year in particular, pack very lightly. They can pick up what they need when they need it...or learn to do without.

I haven’t heard of parents staying more than one night after drop off, but every kid and every situation is different, so just be as flexible as you can be.

Most kids don’t need a credit card right away (unless they will be booking flights), and I assume your child has a debit card and Venmo, but make sure she/he sets these up if not.

[Anonymous]

Let your kid set the pace for communication.

[Anonymous]

Send the first care package immediately so the receive it the first week.

[Anonymous]

Be prepared when they come home for the first break to treat them more like you would treat your brother or sister if the visited, not your child. They are more grown up than you think.

[Anonymous]

Join the parent facebook page, but do not overshare or over ask questions.

[Anonymous]

Have them stay for 6 weeks before coming home or you visiting them. Have them pick two clubs commit to go three times to each. When we went to a parents thing, the person in charge of first year students said that those two things will help a student acclimate to the new campus and make enough connections to feel connected to the new place. She said the data backed it up.

For what its worth, my dC joined the Pokemon club and the HumansvZombies club. It can be whatever club that works for them. Let them pick.

[Anonymous]

Let them go! It's their college experience. Yes you can miss them, but let them figure things out on their own. There are roommates/RAs/counselors/College Admin they can turn too and your kid will be so much closer to adulting if you let them go. As for "stuff" - less is more, and Amazon Prime pretty much delivers to every college in the US.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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?