Back to College Tips
Yikes! The day is almost here – the day you will take your child to college for the first time or send them off for another year. There is so much to do and think about. We have put together this Big List of Back to College Tips and Resources to help your student and you have the best experience possible!
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The Big List of Back to College Tips and Resources
#1 Back to College Tips and Resources: Moving into the Dorm Tips and Resources
Moving to the dorm is an exercise in not losing your cool while attempting to pack as many necessary items as possible into a small space shared with another person whom you just met and whose 5 family members are also there. It may be 107 degrees outside. The elevators in the dorm either will not work or will already have a line of 100 people standing outside them.
If all goes well, the dorm is cool. The other family is super nice and enthusiastic about getting along. A group of upper class men have met you at the curb and your things magically will appear in your room before you get the car parked. But even in the best situations be sure to plan ahead with:
The Parent’s Survival Kit for College Move In
Before you head out check out this list of Dorm Room Essentials to make sure you have everything.
#2 Back to College Tips and Resources: Health Care and Safety Issues Away from Home
One thing you may not have thought to pack is a small first aid kit. And I do mean small. You do not need a kit for a 5 mile hike. You do not need a kit to stop the bleeding for a severed limb. Unfortunately most commercial kits seem to be packed only for this possibility with 10 pounds of bandages and not much else.
Make your own first aid kit with the necessities like this one.
This is also a really great book to include with the kit:
Ultimate College Student Health Handbook
Ultimate College Student Health Handbook
Buy Now →Be sure you are ready legally to handle a medical emergency with your adult child. Yes, the government says they are adults even if they still want to bowl with bumpers and want you to call the dentist for them. Mama Bear Legal Forms is our go to resource.
You can read about our experience when our son had an emergency appendectomy his junior year of college. These situations are manageable, but a little planning ahead sure does help them go smoother.
Or you can list to our podcast interview about it on College Scoops.
Also be sure to remind your student to stay safe!!! Here are 15 Ways to Keep Your Student Safe at College
#3 Back to College Tips and Resources: Paying for College
It is never too late to work on your strategies for Paying for College. Scholarships and debt free degrees are still a possibility even after your student has started school. Many departmental scholarships are ONLY OPEN TO UPPERCLASSMEN. Be sure to ask your student if they are taking advantage of the opportunities to apply for these.
Jocelyn of The Scholarship System has many resources for scholarships, as well as how to get a debt free degree.
Monica Matthews of How 2 Win Scholarships is another of our favorite resources for timely, realistic, and honest scholarship information.
#4 Back to College Tips and Resources: Majors and Future Career Planning
Does your child need some help choosing a major or planning their future career? Choosing the right major or career path the first time saves big bucks!! Nothing derails your debt free degree faster than a 5th year of college due to a change in major or career path. Our friend Loren Kelly has been working with students for ten years in career-related capacities including assisting students with career planning, academic success, and work-based learning experiences such as internships and apprenticeships. A small investment now can save you thousands in lost tuition.
#5 Back to College Tips and Resources: Care Packages
Every college student needs a steady flow of encouragement. The arrival of a care package with a few snacks and gifts can be just the thing to get them through a tough week.
We have FREE printables for a special Back to School Care Package.
Also check out over 50 Care Package Ideas with a FREE Year of Care Package Printables.
Best of luck and fellow mama love from Mel and Laura as you send your students to college this year!! We are here with college parent tips and resources for the entire year as well as empty nesting, parenting your parents, and everything Next Phase!
We would love to stay in touch!
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