Tips for new freshman parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you are spoiling a good thread

+1 I’m the parent of an incoming freshman and I’d like to hear some more advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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?

No way my teenage daughters get in strangers cars alone.. Friends parents all seem to feel the same way. We pick up.

WOW. I don’t know any parents that don’t allow Uber in high school.

According to Uber official rules, passengers must be 18...

To have an Uber account and be able to request rides, a rider has to be at least 18 years of age. Anyone under that age must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older on all rides. As a driver, you should decline the ride request if you believe the person requesting the ride is under 18.

People like you are so tired. It's nice that they have this rule. But it's not what happens. My DD has been put in Ubers alone since she was 13. I track her ride. I meet her outside when she arrives. When I'm ordering the car I tell her the license plate. Never a problem.

I never get the "I track her ride" theory. If the car stops unexpectedly what could you really do...terrible things happen in minutes.

[Anonymous]

13? Alone? Yikes..

Sorry I know it is off topic but had to comment anyways.

[Anonymous]

Back on topic - stock up on IKEA bags

[Anonymous]

Figure out if the dorm bed can be lifted via bed risers. DD and roommate each raised beds enough to fit storage bins underneath.

[Anonymous]

Memorize their social security number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Trying to figure out bank account, credit card, Venmo etc.
At least for first year would like to have some oversight - perhaps be the secondary account holder?
A little nervous about child having everything on their phone (bank account, credit card, Venmo etc). Any tips for how to keep financial information private and secure especially if you lose your phone?
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Memorize their social security number.

Yes, this. They need this for so much.

[Anonymous]

The less stuff you bring, the better. The move in situations /parking and windows are going to be even tighter/worse thus year. And as we learned this spring, the kids who could pack up most of their stuff fast we’re at an advantage.

[Anonymous]

Someone may have already mentioned this, but pack a small basic self-care first aid kit, equip it with a few handy medicine cabinet extras E.g., a thermometer, pepto-bismol, blister pads, etc. Even if just to give yourself some peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Trying to figure out bank account, credit card, Venmo etc.
At least for first year would like to have some oversight - perhaps be the secondary account holder?
A little nervous about child having everything on their phone (bank account, credit card, Venmo etc). Any tips for how to keep financial information private and secure especially if you lose your phone?

Thanks

Trying to figure out a small credit card option for DC but none of our banks will issue one to student even if secured by CD like they did for awhile. Prefer it not be attached to my account. I know it’s not the 80s anymore when they were given away (issued) like candy in dorm mailings but has anyone had luck with this?

[Anonymous]

Trying to figure out a small credit card option for DC but none of our banks will issue one to student even if secured by CD like they did for awhile. Prefer it not be attached to my account. I know it’s not the 80s anymore when they were given away (issued) like candy in dorm mailings but has anyone had luck with this?

There is likely a bank with a branch on campus and they will issue one to your DC. (Actually, both of my kids did get mailings just before heading off to their respective schools). It might be some weird regional bank you never heard of, but it should do the trick. For checking account, we just had DC get one locally from a national bank prior to moving. (But I assume most kids already have checking accounts if they've been on payroll somewhere).


+1 to buying the IKEA bags for moving. Buy them early (I waited and got stuck with the ones with no zippers, which were still fine).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back on topic - stock up on IKEA bags

I hope this thread gets back on track, but at least I got the rec for the IKEA bags. That's a great suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plan to stay at least one extra day after move-in to make about 3 runs to target for pick-ups and returns

What?? No! Drop off and leave. Kid will figure out returns and how to get to Target.

A few extension cords and a bunch of command strips/hooks is a great thing to pack. But the most important thing is to leave quickly.

For you. You don't get to decide what other parents do. It worked for you and your kid but, let's not assume you know all the answers.

[Anonymous]

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.