10 Tips For The Parents Of Incoming College Freshman

Wether you went to college or not, starting freshman year is always a little scary for you and your student. Its definitely scarier for you because you have to let your baby go, and all they are thinking about is what time the first party of the year starts.

1. Moving into a college dorm is not easy, make it easier on your self.

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Bring a hand truck or a cart to help you get the heavy stuff in and out of the dorms. GET THERE EARLY!!!!! Especially when your kid lives on the 10th floor and everyone is trying to use the elevator all at once.

2. Don't get too overwhelmed.

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You have been preparing for this day ever since your kid decided where they wanted to go to college. You probably brought too much stuff or maybe not enough but thats okay you will figure something out. Everyone around you is doing the exact same thing, so don't feel like you have to act like you know what you are doing because no one knows what they are doing.

3. It is okay to cry or get upset.

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My mom cried. A lot. That is okay, it wasn't embarrassing because every other parent dropping off their kid for the first time is either doing the same thing or wants to. Don't hold it in until you get to the car, because it is a physical representation of how much you are going to miss us, and it's going to make us miss you all the more.

4. Don't track your kid.

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Yes it is weird that you don't know exactly where your kid is at all times anymore. Trust me you when you are randomly awake at 2 a.m. and just so happen to check up on them, and they are not in their dorm room or they are out partying, you will just be disappointed so you might as well spare yourself and stop tracking them.

5. Send care packages or letters.

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Trust me they are extremely appreciated. My mom sent me a letter during finals week, with a cute card and a nice motivational note on it, and there was $6 in it. I started crying because it just made my day, and now I could finally buy some Chick-Fil-a again.

6. Your kid is going to be different the first time they come home.

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They might have a different attitude or they might just come back talking kinda funny, they might even need subtitles. This is okay don't worry college is a huge change, and everyone is going to change a little bit. As long as they don't come back a crack head everything is okay.

7. Their sleep schedule is going to be very weird.

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Don't get upset if they sleep until noon everyday, we are used to staying up until 3'oclock in the morning. Everyday. We are either studying or out and about until that time almost everyday. We also nap. A lot.

8. Make sure you cook good meals when they come home.

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Yes Chick-Fil-a is amazing but eating it six times a week gets old really fast, and the dining halls serve the same thing everyday and everything tastes the same. Even if you aren't that good at cooking I swear it will be better than what we eat at school.

9. Please don't get on them about grades too much.

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Grades are very important, and you are paying thousands of dollars to send your kids to these big universities that are far away. But we know this and we are very stressed about grades without our parents breathing down our necks. Mental health is much more important than grades.

10. Most importantly just be there for them.

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College is a huge change, it can be a good change or a bad one. Everyone has a different experience in college and it is hard sometimes because you feel like no one else really gets it or you. Just be on their side and encourage them to put themselves out there and have a good time. Trust me hugs from our parents get so much better once we leave for school.