Your teen is about to leave home for college and live on his own for the first time. The countdown started ages ago, bringing plenty of enthusiasm and excitement to your house.
And while you are excited for your child, you’re trying to keep everything organized so he has everything he needs for the school year. Here’s a great off-to-college checklist of things you might want to consider:
* Papers and background information. Keep a file for all the financial aid forms, medical history documents, scholarship requirements, insurance papers and any other background information your child may need, sorted and organized for quick access. Having these handy is a lot easier than having your teen constantly calling or e-mailing and asking you for an identification number or date.
* Review your teen car insurance policy. You may discover you need to change the amount of coverage on the policy if your daughter decides to leave a car at home during the school year, or take it to college. If your child does take the vehicle with her, consider signing her up for a teen driving safety course – especially if she’s had any citations or tickets. The course will help refresh her skills behind the wheel and may help to reduce her auto insurance premiums.
* Review several safe driving practices like knowing how to fix a flat tire, packing a tool kit, reading a map and reviewing the traffic laws in the state they will be living in.
* Pack a first-aid kit. You never know when your child will need bandages, pain killers, cleansing solution or other first aid supplies. Knowing that these items are available, will help to put your mind at ease while he’s no longer living under your roof. And having a kit accessible in the dorm room or apartment means he will always be prepared.
* Plan for meals that aren’t eaten in the cafeteria, which means your teen will need a basic set of dishes, utensils and cleaning solution. Some colleges close down their meal service plans on weekends, and there may be times where your son or daughter will want to eat while studying in the room, rather than heading out to the cafeteria. Check with the dorm’s rules about what appliances are allowed in the room and help your child plan meals based around those appliances.
You raised your child just for this day when he drives off for college to start earning a degree and living life on his own. And imagine how grown up he will be when he comes home for the first break, telling stories about his new life.
