Once the college search is over and the eagerly awaited acceptance letter is received, students and parents can relax...for about a week. After that deposit check reaches those hallowed halls of higher education, a whole new process begins with still more decisions to make, a lot of shopping to accomplish, and a transition that can be a whole lot easier for everybody with a little extra preparation and some wisdom from experienced college kids and their parents.
To help ease the adjustment to independence, we've asked local students what to bring, what to leave behind and how to navigate this exciting new world away from home. Here's what they have to share:
Moving In
* Don't overpack. Cat Kelly, a senior at the University of Dayton, found that bringing more items from home did not necessarily make her tiny dorm room any more comfortable, although it did make it more crowded!
* Paying to move in early is not necessarily a good deal. While you may gain the advantage of easy, close parking, you may also encounter a few big disadvantages: dorms without air conditioning, limited campus services (like dining) and no help from upperclassmen who often assist with the move-in process. If you're settling into a high-rise dorm, however, moving in a few days early "saves a lot of hassle" says Kevin Donahue, an Ohio State University junior. When you have to wait for an elevator to transport your gear up 23 floors, you'll appreciate the ability to "move in on your own time," he laughs.
* Always have duct tape! You'll be surprised at how it will come in handy.
* Plan a shopping trip after you arrive at school for food and personal care products. This can save a lot of space when packing the car.
* Do not expect to be best friends with a roommate. While most schools try to match up students according to interests and lifestyle, this should not be a promise of a lifelong friendship.
* Students should discuss the rules for overnight visitors at the beginning of the year. Hannah Steinberg, a senior at the University of Cincinnati, didn't think this issue would be a problem until her roommate found a boyfriend halfway through freshman year. Eventually, the boyfriend spent more time in the room than the roommate, which made for an awkward-and avoidable-situation.
Adjusting
* Know how to operate a washing machine. (Yeah, doing laundry does take some practice, best left to days before you're on your own.)
* Try to connect with people from your hometown who attend the same school. These connections can be useful for car pooling, learning the fastest routes to school, or answering any typical first-year questions. One easy way to find people who live nearby is to check bulletin-board postings, usually at the student center on campus. Most schools have a place where students can offer rides home or request them.
* Hunger strikes at all hours, so find out what time the dining halls and other venues stop serving for the evening. "Do this by the end of the first week," says Kevin, who apparently learned this lesson the hard way.
* Parents, give your kids some space as they adjust to college life. Katie Buck-Kennedy, a veteran college mom (she has sent three children off to school in recent years), discovered that her oldest son needed time to go it alone.
"I gave him space (not calling all the time, just once or twice over the course of the semester.) When we did speak, I subtly let him know that I missed him and loved him." She adds, "Give 'em support, but don't do it for them." She cautions, however, that every child is different. Some do need more frequent parent connection.
To help moms and dads prepare for this breakaway year, Linda Tefend recommends Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding The College Years, by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger. She read the book prior to sending her daughter off to college two years ago, yet wished she had read it sooner. "It really explains the whole emancipation process, which begins the year before," she notes.
* Halloween provides a great opportunity to meet people and have a good time fairly early in the school year, says Brian McMasters, a junior from the University of Dayton. Plan on buying or making a Halloween costume, or risk missing out on one of the most fun nights of the year, he recommends. Most students can't afford to buy costumes, so it is always interesting to see what they can throw together. Some easy DIY suggestions: Thing 1 and Thing 2, Ninja Turtles, or "period" costumes, such as hippies or flappers.
* Make friends with strangers the first day. Most students do not know anyone else; everyone is new, which makes this the ideal time to make friends.
* Students should not be afraid to follow their interests and passions. Though it can be intimidating to try out for a team or join a group with others who are a lot more experienced, these opportunities can be a huge part of the college experience. An avid thespian in high school, Erin Phelps was
PRINT
