Helpful Tips to Prepare Your Kids for College

 Guest Blogger #719, Entry #1672, October 2, 2012

Family life can be hard to manage, especially when having to help your kids prepare for going out into the real world. Once the acceptance letters have come in the mail and your teen has chosen the school that will be his home for the next four years, it’s your job to see that he is well-prepared for his first steps into the exciting and frightening world of adulthood. In truth, your high-school graduate will enjoy the shelter that comes from living on campus, so hopefully he won’t get into too much trouble, but making sure he is equipped with the items, knowledge, and skills to see him through is an essential part of the parenting process. In a way, it is what you have been working towards his entire life. So while you have spent years teaching him how to behave appropriately, how to take care of his basic life necessities (eating, dressing, hygiene, and so on), and how to be a good student, there are still a few lessons you need to impart and a couple of things you’ll want to take care of before he heads off to the vaunted halls of learning.

Ensure your college student is ready for the next step in their life

Image via

Safety at college

The first thing you’ll want to talk about is safety. This is a major concern for most parents, who know what kinds of dangers are lurking in the big, bad world. So far you have managed to watch your child like a hawk, but once he has left the nest you won’t have any control over how late he stays out, which areas he travels to, or the people he chooses to associate with. In short, your teen could quickly get himself into hot water. But by imparting some basic safety guidelines you can ensure that any negligent behavior is attended by your stern voice in his head. So remind him to use the buddy system, to avoid bad areas, and to steer clear of drugs. You might not stop him from partying on campus (after all, it’s his first taste of freedom); but if you’ve raised him right you have to trust that the lessons you’ve imparted will be enough to keep him safe.

Before your teen goes to college, helpful hints to consider

Image via

Teaching about finances

Next you should have a frank discussion about finance. College students are often the target of unscrupulous individuals looking to take advantage of their financial naivety. Before they get anywhere near the point of managing their own finances you should help them to open a bank account, teach them the importance of keeping a balanced ledger (paper or electronic), show them how to create a budget, and discuss the seriousness of credit card debt. Some parents send their kids off with a credit card and a warning not to spend too much, but you need to do more if you want to ensure that your teen can handle financial independence.

Finally, it’s time to have some fun…at the mall. Taking your teen shopping for all of his dorm-room essentials could get a little pricy, but from here on out he’s virtually on his own, so consider this your last chance to spoil him before he takes over the task of buying for himself. Whether he’s shooting for a degree in fine arts, an MBA, or a health care administration masters, he’s got a long road ahead, and for your own peace of mind you can spend your last days together making sure he’ll be comfortable in his new home.

For more family ideas on Stagetecture, click here.