As we briefly touched on living arrangements, financial aid and college preparation, there are some logistics to keep in mind, for the earlier stages. This refers ti the move-in process, transportation, conduct in visitations, dealing with your child’s new found independence, and so on. Having a child head off to college is a huge change for many parents, no matter how independent their child is; if you’re experiencing it for the first time, there are many questions and concerns you may have even beyond move-in day like when you can visit. We are here to support and guide you as parents during this transitional time.
Deciding where your child will live during their freshman year is a decision that should be made early, as it’s a student’s first year at school that sets the tone for the rest of their college experience. If they experience poor living situations or unpleasant commutes, it's likely to contribute to postsecondary year experiences; unpleasant experiences may render a new application process if your child decides to transfer.
Move-in day for freshmen can be fairly chaotic. Getting onto the actual campus will not be an easy task, considering the heavy traffic and everyone moving in. Even when you’ve made it to the dorm, there will be heavy wait times for elevators, difficulty navigating hallways and rooms, and lugging larger items into small spaces. Despite all the cramped space, the end result will be well worth it when your child is comfortably settled in for the next nine months.
Many parents feel a separation anxiety almost immediately. For many, this is the first time they will be away from their children, at least for an extended period of time. Good news: many colleges anticipate this and plan an event dubbed Parents’ Weekend– families can reunite on campus and take part in a wealth of activities. If you can’t make it for the festivities or simply cannot wait an entire month to see your child, don’t show up unannounced. Discuss with your child if and when their class schedule would permit a short visit and be mindful not to overstay your welcome.
November is nearly over, which means National Scholarship Month is winding down. When it comes to finding scholarships online, students all across the country are discovering how easy it is to get matched to vetted scholarship opportunities at Scholarships.com. Creating a student profile, discovering your customized scholarships matches and finding new opportunities daily couldn’t be easier. Plus, like any legitimate scholarship site, Scholarships.com is 100% free. This Cyber Monday, take a break from online shopping and spend some time applying to these end-of-National Scholarship Month scholarships at Scholarships.com! Your college financial aid opportunities are just around the corner. [...]
For many college students this year, Thanksgiving is the end-of-semester holiday rather than a traditional winter break in December. Some colleges started their semesters early so they could wrap up by Thanksgiving, while others are having students finish out the semester virtually. Whatever your circumstances, it helps to have a thought-out plan on how you will be travelling from campus to home so you can enjoy the holidays with your family. Here are our tips for COVID-friendly travel this Thanksgiving. [...]
In recent days, two drug manufactures, Pfizer and Moderna, have both announced that their COVID-19 vaccines have had more than a 90% success rate in clinical trials. The thought of a COVID vaccine is sure to raise anyone’s spirits, and while college students are likely to be at the back of the line when vaccines are distributed, some college officials are hopeful that students may be able to be vaccinated by late next spring or summer. [...]
