It happened in a flash. That old cliche that “time flies” when you have kids is SO true and I’ve tried to deny it for all these years. It finally hit me a few weeks ago when we dropped our oldest daughter off at her college dorm. How did these eighteen years go by so quickly? I am still dealing with letting her go and missing her face every single day. We are lucky though she is not too far away that weekend visits are possible and thank goodness for FaceTime! But, even 4 weeks into the semester we’re still figuring out all the things that college students need day to day. We thought we had thought of everything, but with time and experience, we’re learning about a few things we missed on the college supply check list. With thanks to Office Depot® OfficeMax® as sponsors to this post and giveaway (all opinions 100% my own), here are some tips and advice on adjusting to the first year of college, for parents and students!
Create a Check-list
From my daughter’s senior year of high school-forward we were all about check-lists. SAT exams, AP tests, college application deadlines, financial aid, auditions dates and times, acceptance confirmations, housing down payments, etc.. it was a whirlwind of things to do. Graduation was here before we knew it and then the countdown to college and more check-lists were created. It’s an exciting time, but also very overwhelming. Office Depot® OfficeMax® has compiled a fabulous list of school gear needed to get started in the dorms, which is basically everything but the kitchen sink (and bedding)!
Communicate
My daughter and I have always had a wonderful relationship. We are able to communicate well, and as we’re now adjusting to living apart and homesick for eachother, we’re so happy we’re both social media savvy. We make an effort to keep in touch daily via text, SnapChat, FaceTime and more! This helps her as well as her siblings and us parents feel connected to her new schedule and she can still feel a part of our home life that she misses. Discuss with your child what works best for you, it may be a phone call every day or once a week. Maybe you send a handwritten note and a care package once a month or if you’re close, plan to visit them in their new city twice a month.
Encourage, Support, Inspire
My daughter is very shy and this can be tough when you’re living in a dorm and on campus with thousands of other students in a new town. I have been encouraging her to make baby steps towards meeting new people and making new friends. This may mean having her open her dorm room door once in a while while she’s studying or relaxing in her room. An open door invites conversation. I encourage her to explore her campus so she’s aware of all the opportunities available to her as to support, health, social and career related events. I encourage her to speak up in class and with her professors if she’s confused about something or if she’s interested in trying something new.
I’ve already heard myself turn into my own mother. I know I’ve repeated myself a few times too many in these first few weeks, I do need to let her grow up on her own too. I will listen and support her as she navigates the world on her own. I will understand she may make some mistakes and will have to learn from them. I will promise not to say “I told you so” but will be there and love her through struggles. I’ve told her my stories of college, my husband’s stories, we want to inspire her to be the best she can be, to take risks and to enjoy life. She’s nearly an adult, she’s made so many smart choices to this point and hopefully the roots we’ve instilled will give her wings.
Keep a Planner
Another must-have for college and life is a daily planner and a calendar! These are on that Office Depot® OfficeMax® checklist above and you should have one of each. A desk or wall calendar can stay in your room/dorm and a the planner can travel with you, but the information should be duplicated. Taking a few minutes a day to jot down assignments, meetings, class events, work schedules, tests, bill due dates, and even when you have to make time to eat, nap, or shower is essential. I do this myself and it’s a life-saver and if they didn’t already, college students need to learn to budget their time. Being organized this way will teach you responsibility and ultimately professionalism.
Don’t Forget to Eat
This may sound silly but it happens. It still happens to me and I’m 20 years out of college! Schedules get busy, I know my daughter has class two days a week 9-3 with no breaks but you have to remember to eat. Even if you stayed up late the night before, set your alarm an extra hour early so you can get to the dining commons. Get your protein in, get some fruit on the plate, you need your brain and body to work. My daughter is a dance major and has 14 hours of exercise each week plus the 4 hours she teaches dance, her body needs fuel. Though she’s not a huge vegetable fan, I’m happy to know that there is a juice station in her dining hall that blends veggies into delicious smoothies that she’s been trying out. Take advantage of all the locations on campus you can use your meal card as well. There may be a cafe right next to your 11am class, grab a granola bar to get you through. My daughter mentioned the other day that she feels like a late night snack often and going to the dining hall in her PJ’s may not be the look she’s after. We’re still debating buying her an in-room microwave (Office Depot® OfficeMax® has those too) for that very reason, we just may surprise her if we hear her mention it again.
So far these things have gotten through this new experience. As a stay at home mom for the past 18 years, I couldn’t be prouder of my daughter as a college freshman and I hope she knows that. Ever wonder how your kids view you? These parents found out through this video and I’m giving you fair warning to go grab some tissues!
My best piece of advice is to be proactive about making friends. It can be intimidating to approach new people, but the sooner you form a good group of friends, the easier it will be and the less homesick you will feel.
I really hope and pray for this! Thank you Carly!
Be safe. If something does not seem or feel right, don’t do it.
YES, thank you!
My best piece of advice is choose your friends wisely!
I like that Amy, I’ve said it before as well. Thanks!
My best piece of advice is to not be afraid to ask for help from your parent/s. They know best and can help with everything.
Totally agree!
My best piece of advice for a new college freshman is to stay organized and take it one day at a time. It can feel very overwhelming at first, but doing little things like mapping out your class schedule the day before classes start really help you to feel more prepared.
For sure, baby steps!
Freshmans need to go to all orientations! Do you really need to go on yet another campus tour? Yes. The faster you learn your way around campus — and around all the red tape — the more at ease you’ll feel and the better prepared you’ll be when issues arise.
I do a lot of reminding of this! Thanks!
My advice is being open to meeting new people and to live on campus, if possible.
She is living in the dorm, plenty of opportunity, allowing yourself to be open is important. Thanks Lauren!
My advice is to try to eat healthy. Don’t eat fast food all the time
Luckily the dorm is offering a variety of foods and healthy options. If she eats out, it’s coming out of HER bank account!
dont buy anything new,,buy used because its gonna get treated rough and not cleaned as often,,and probably stolen or lost,,we bought all used items for my son,so if something happened to them there wasnt much money invested
YES! I bought her a used text book and rented one and saved over $200!
The best advice I have is to have your emergency contacts listed on your desk. Talk over with your dorm mate about what to do in case on an emergency where family needs to be contacted.
This is a great tip, although she doesn’t have a roommate, she’s in a single room. I’m going to think about how we can remedy this…thanks Jessica!
Stock up on plenty of snacks to take back to school with you when you travel home. Snacks are much cheaper from the grocery store than the vending machines and there will always be a need for some late night fuel.
Yep, she needs her late night salt and sugar fix!
My advice is to budget your time and money.
Always and forever rigth?! 😉
i would say be frugal with your money cause you only get so much a week and if you spend it all you will not be eating
I totally agree, the mall is so close to her too!
like i told my daughter never go to where no one knows where your at here is a taser and park in light and besides all the saftey measure have fun you only live once
To know that they are loved and they will be fine
My advice would be to take care of yourself as it can be so stressful the first year! Eat right, exercise, and get your sleep! If you feel overwhelmed…dont be afraid to talk to your parents or a school counselor!
I think this advice doubles for me too! Thanks so much!
My advice is to be yourself and put yourself out there to make new friends.
My best advice is to try and get to know people even if you are introverted.
My best advice is to keep in a regular study schedule so that you will succeed in college.
Don’ tell your new ‘friends’ everything on the first day, and remember photos last FOREVER!
(thank heavens my college years were before the internet.)
Have fun but make sure school is your priority!!
My best advice to a freshman in college is to study hard and be levelheaded.
Best advice – become friends with someone from your class. It make it easier to figure our what you missed and have someone to study with.
Say yes to lots of different opportunities. They’re all chances to try new things and meet new people.
I think the best advice as it is with all of us is to try and eat healthy and get in exercise when you can. I know it’s a busy life as a college student, but I always felt better when I got in my exercise when I was in college.
Look for work study opportunities, join organizations that will help you grow professionally, psychologically and emotionally, stay healthy by eating and staying hydrated, look for scholarship opportunities, don’t party (too much) or drink if your underage, be safe and cautious.
Form a budget and stick to it.
My advice consist of two things:
Budget–for you will see too quickly that your money goes way too fast.
2. Call home–it is so important to let them know you are okay
I would say to use credit lines wisely both credit cards and student loans amounts.
My best advice is to soak up as much knowledge as possible
Try not to gain the freshman 15 by snacking on vegetables.
My best advice is to make an effort to make new friends but also keep in touch with your old friends from high school. I am still great friends with people from high school and its great when we get together nowadays.