By Cheryl Mattox Berry
If you’re going away to college in the fall, spend the summer getting your act together. Don’t wait until the last minute and make yourself crazy running around trying to get everything done. Here’s a checklist:
1. The dorm. Find out what size sheets you’ll need and whether you should bring a pillow. If refrigerators and microwaves are allowed, ask what size is permissible. Check with your roommate to coordinate colors and decide who will bring the big items. Take advantage of summer sales and discount stores to stock up.
2. Clothing. Check the average temperatures in the city where you’re headed and buy clothes to suit the climate. You can order winter clothing online or go shopping when you get to college. If you play a sport, find out what you’re expected to bring for workouts and practice.
3. Checking account. When my daughter was in college, I found it easy to link her checking account to mine and transfer money into her account when she needed it.
4. Car. Find out the school’s policy on freshmen bringing cars to campus. Some colleges don’t allow it, but students bring their cars anyway and park off campus. If you decide to go that route, make sure that the place you park is well lit, safe and legal.
5. Immunizations. Don’t forget to get a physical before you leave home and make sure you’re up to date on immunizations. You can get a three-month supply of medication to take with you, and mom can send more if you don’t get home for Thanksgiving.
6. Correspondence. Read every e-mail from your school several times this summer to make sure you’ve done everything that is required before you set foot on campus. Parents don’t like last-minute surprises.
Spend time with siblings and other family members before you leave home. Take them on a virtual tour of campus and discuss your classes with them so that they can share your college experience. Call home often to keep them abreast of how things are going. Remember, your departure will be an adjustment for them, too.