What do high school seniors need to know before they leave for college?

I have 201 days (only 28 weeks!) until my oldest son starts his first day of college classes at a university over 100 miles away from home.  Seriously, I counted.  To say this freaks me out a little would be an understatement.  I’m sure I’ll be ready when the time comes, but I started looking for articles today about what he needs to know before he leaves for college.  I’m seeing things about life skills and kitchen skills and laundry skills.  I’ll post links to articles I’ve found at the end of the week.  Meanwhile, I thought it would be nice to hear from fellow Aha! Subscriber parents who have been through this before.  What advice can you give to all of us with kids leaving for college this summer/fall?  Specifically what do we need to teach them before they fly away? Please leave a comment if you have something to share!  You can remain anonymous if you’d like!

February 10th, 2017 Category: Community News, Schools/Education 17 Comments

17 thoughts on “What do high school seniors need to know before they leave for college?”

  2. Be sure to tech them how to do laundry, and more importantly budgeting their money. They don’t realize how fast they can spend a lot of money on eating out or “just getting a coffee!” Or saving their money to go on an unplanned weekend getaway.

  3. This is advice for you as a mom….For 18 years, my focus was to parent, and prepare my children for this next chapter in their lives. It really rocked my own world when the first one left for school 1000 miles away, and even more when my second followed his brother. There was a legitimate void in my life, and I missed them desperately. I think the advice I have really goes to you as a mom. It was given to me, and has been invaluable. When your child calls….be sure not to complain about why they haven’t called, or how long it has been since you heard from them…Instead, let him/her know how good it is to hear their voice, and ask them what has been happening in their lives. Listen. Just listen. Stay upbeat and happy, focusing on what is going on with them. You will be surprised at what you learn from your truly remarkable children. My boys keep in touch regularly, and though we are miles apart, they are still close to my heart. PS…I also think sending along a little medicine chest of necessities is quite helpful for times when they’re sick…tylenol, zycam, musinex, etc.

  4. I don’t have any advice … well maybe (even though I’m in the same boat as Audra) I’d say if they don’t already have at least a checking account, debit card and emergency credit card then get them and get them used to paying for their own meals out, activities, etc with a set budget/allowance. Of course doing their own bed (sheet changing), bathroom and laundry is a good idea too. But I’m sure our kids already do these things for themselves 🙂

  6. Don’t stress Audra, everything will be OK!! Try not to get overly involved, he’ll figure stuff out — that’s part of letting them become fully formed adults. 🙂

  8. Over the summer I had her practice doing all of her own laundry the sorting and when to remove them from the dryer and everything. Cooking skills were not necessary an issue in a freshman dorm so we did not cover those. She was going to be driving on the interstate to and from school so as a new driver we practiced driving the route several times in different levels of traffic on different days of the week to prepare for that level of driving alone in the day and night. We had opened up a checking account for her and a gas credit card and practiced basic bookkeeping skills and managing a credit card. Things that pop up with roommates are something you can not really prepare for we wanted to practice as many “independent living skills” as possible over the summer before the fall launch. She had a great freshman semester with the only hiccup being a roommate who did not want to respect privacy or dorm rules.

  10. Please add, “how to hand write a thank you note for EVERYTHING”. I can’t tell you how important this is and what an impact it makes on the recipient. Even if you are there in person to say thank you. It takes 2 minutes and makes such a difference in that gift giver’s (gift, time, info, knowledge) memory.

  11. I read a lot of material about college prep! Here are some links i hope you can use:

    http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/2015/02/16/take-5-steps-to-find-an-internship-during-high-school?src=usn_tw

    https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/may/29/boys-books-earnings-adults?CMP=share_btn_tw

    http://www.chronicle.com/article/Why-STEM-Majors-Need-the/238833

    http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-experts/2011/08/17/how-can-parents-help-with-college-searches-and-applications?src=usn_tw

    http://www.sais.org/news/320485/Six-Common-Sense-Ways-to-Afford-College.htm#.WFLf2_7pDKA.twitter

    http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/2016/02/15/3-times-when-applying-late-to-college-makes-sense?src=usn_tw

    http://admitted.nacacnet.org/wordpress/index.php/2016/11/30/nacacreads-gen-z-students-take-new-approach-to-college-selection/
    http://pics.collegetrends.org/

    http://www.bestcollegefit.com/blog/archives/1816

  12. The best advise I can give is: Go to classes! Even when it’s hard. I got the worst grade in a course because I missed so many classes. It really effects your GPA. Another thing is to get involved in something on campus – American Red Cross Blood Drives, Ballroom Dance, Sports, whatever. You’ll need an outlet & you’ll make great friends that way. Also, stay true to yourself & your values.

  13. Another practical skill to teach: What is a thermostat and how to use it. We learned the hard way that we (as parents) always kept up with the house thermostat and didn’t think to train them before moving into college. First complaint was how hot it was in the dorm suite. When I asked, “Did you turn down the thermostat?,” the answer was “What’s a thermostat?” #parentfail

  14. Remind them that home is home!! Regardless of their struggles and search for self, you will always love and accept them!!

  15. Change is uncomfortable. It is human nature to want to “fix it” or make it comfortable immediately. WAIT…be patient , it is OK to feel uncomfortable because out of the discomfort comes GROWTH. And suddenly, the uncomfortable is now comfortable and normal. There are those tough phone calls and texts where your child is upset….listen, and ask them how they want to “fix” the issue…you have trained them well and now give them the space to test their strength. This is the bridge between the protection of home and the real world of adulthood. As hard as it is….don’t get too involved in their day to day problems. They do a good job of getting through the rough spots and they feel proud of themselves. As my daughter says ,”Look at me adulting!”

  16. Saving/budgeting money (mint is a really good app for this). Get an agenda planner and when you get your class schedule and syllabi, write down EVERYTHING! Due dates, class times and locations. Also keep an electronic version of your agenda in your phone’s calendar. Use all the free resources in college- career center, volunteering, health center, and the gym. Work on campus because it will be easier to adjust your schedule due to studying and classes.

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