Moving your kid into their first dorm room can be a daunting task. Depending on how involved you want to be, there are so many different things to think about, so many different supplies to gather, and so much money that needs to be spent. Let’s take a look at some tips to make it easier!
Seven Great Tips For Helping Ease The Stress Of Moving Your Kids Off To College
1. Collect Receipts
This tip might sound silly, but hear me out. In the months leading up to your kids’ departure for college, make sure they are collecting receipts from every store they go to. It teaches them how important it can be to keep track of their spending, which is an invaluable skill for someone heading off to college.
2. Settle all Bills Ahead of Time
If you are already thinking ahead to the day that your kids head out into the world, then hopefully, you are settling your kids’ bills before they are on their own. You’ll want to be sure that all balances are settled on any credit card accounts, that all car insurance payments are paid up, and that your financial aid has been disbursed.
3. Buy All Necessary Supplies
When it comes to moving into any home, there are always things that you’ll need to buy before you can really call it your own. Remember that most colleges have a list of recommended supplies, so be sure to check their website prior to shopping for things like bedding, towels, and toiletries.
4. Only Take What You Can Fit in the Car
You should definitely do your best to help your children move into their dorms as easily as possible. Be sure to look into how far away the dorm is from your house when collecting your supplies, and note how many cars you will need to transport them all. If it’s cross country moving you’re looking to do, let the professionals take care of the big items.
5. Pack Lightly
This tip goes along with the previous tip: pack lightly! A lot of things in college can be bought very cheaply and easily, so there’s really no need to pack a year’s supply of toilet paper. Plus, it can be much easier for someone else to buy supplies when they only need to purchase one thing at a time.
6. Get Your Kid an In-Room Refrigerator
When you’re sharing such a small space with another person, the last thing you want to do is fight over who gets what space in the fridge. So, why not get your kid an in-room refrigerator? Many campuses will have one available for rent, or they will already be included. They can also double as a mini-movie screen thanks to newer models’ built-in DVD players.
7. Find an Easy Way to Store Their Belongings
The biggest problem with shared dorm rooms is that there’s not much space to share. This can be especially complicated for students because, unlike adults, kids don’t know how to pack lightly. Be sure that your child has a good way of storing their belongings; it might take some time to find just the right one, but it will be well worth your time and money!
In Conclusion
Moving to college is a big change for any student. There’s a lot of work involved in it, but the good news is that with these tips, you can make it much easier on your child and yourself!