It is that time of year again when you social media feeds are full of people talking about back to school. However, if you have a child in their senior year in high school, it will be the last time you will be taking those photographs of their back to school days. Because at the end of the academic year, they could be off and on their way to college. It is crazy how quickly time can fly! Therefore, if you could have a child in college this time next year, or even in a couple of years, now is the time to get them prepared. Here are some tips to get them ready for that big life step.
Check Domestic Skills
Just like with their first day at elementary school where you panic about them being able to use the bathroom by themselves or eat their lunch without aid, the first time to college can bring similar thoughts. Do they know how to do laundry by themselves? Are they good with public transportation and direction? Do they know to close windows and doors when you are not home? You could learn more about basic skills from an article on noodle.com. Checking on these things, no matter how basic they may seem, can be a massive help for them as they go off to college. It can mean a lot of peace of mind for you too!
Teach Them to Be Safe
If they are moving to a whole new city or state, some things are going to be different there. Will they know the alleys that they should not walk down late at night? It is good to prepare them to be safe and take care of themselves. A lot of it will be common sense: not to go places alone, late at night, especially if they do not know the area. However, some basic self-defense or having battery on their cell phone at all times can be important. Talk through a few scenarios with them and discuss what they should be doing.
Talk About Finances
Finances can be one of the biggest stresses about college, for you and for them! So be open and honest with them about it. Teach them how to budget and how to live within their means. Talk to them about their student loan options and how to manage their student debt. Plenty of resources online, like studentloansconsolidation.co, for example, are available if you need some guidance and reference. Nevertheless, keep the conversation going about finances. Do they know how to shop for the best deals at the grocery store too? All of this kind of thing can stand them in good stead for their time at college.
Outline Expectations
When your child moves away, it is a completely new experience for them. So unless you are quite attached of they are a home bird, it is a good idea to outline what you expect from them. Do you want them to come home for each holiday? Do you expect to speak to them once a week or more often? Just be clear about what you expect from them and talk about how things will work out once they are gone.