Tips for Transitioning to College

The back-to-school season is fast approaching, and if you have an upcoming freshman, it can be a stressful time of year. Going from high school to college is a big change, but below, we’ve compiled a few ways to make the transition a little easier:

Pay attention to your mail. Read everything the college sends you. Be sure to take note of dates and numbers, such as when orientation is, what day payments are due and how your child will register for classes. Also, complete anything that is done on a first come, first serve basis as soon as possible. For example, when it comes to housing, the sooner you turn everything in, the better your child’s chances of living where and with who they wanted.

Be prepared. Especially if your child is moving to a new city or state, don’t leave anything to chance. Plan out the things they’re taking with them, make sure they know the exact date and time of the trip and make any moving arrangements well in advance. When you arrive on the campus, offer to walk your child’s schedule with them so there are no surprises on the first day.

Keep changes minimal. Leaving home is a big step and minimizing the changes in other areas of your child’s life can help reduce stress. Make sure to keep them in the loop with everything that’s happening at home. Try to help them set up a consistent schedule outside of the classroom to help balance meal times, workouts, their social life and school work. Chances are, they’ll be back to visit before too long. Keep their bedroom the same, at least for a while, so they know they have a familiar place to come back to.

Have fun! Don’t let your child get too wrapped up in planning. While this is a challenging new stage in their life, it should be one of the most exciting.

Sources:

http://www.transitionyear.org/student/articles.php?step=2&id=37
http://sites.allegheny.edu/deanofstudents/wellness-education/todays-topic/some-tips-for-coping-with-the-transition-to-college/