Living With a College Roommate

Freshmen generally share rooms with other incoming students, so it’s always a good idea to find out as soon as possible who that other person might be. For most high school students beginning college, it is a severe culture shock to go from a home with plenty of space to a tiny room that is shared with someone they’ve just met.

Avoiding a Bad Situation

Many new college students lose the desire for higher education based on less than happy experiences with roommates and living in cramped quarters. From a parent’s standpoint, making the situation appear as positive as possible is a help, but meeting the person who will be sharing the living accommodations early is also beneficial.

If it is possible, the new students should meet each other somewhere besides their room when they are moving in. They will probably make a better friendship if they don’t see each other for the first time under the stress that comes with moving into a dorm room.

An arranged meeting between the two or talking on the phone can better help them understand what resources they can share since the room won’t accommodate all the items they are used to having at home. School will begin much more smoothly if the roommates aren’t spending so much of the early time trying to decide how to perform basic functions.

College Roommates – Budgeting Through Sharing

One of the toughest challenges for college freshmen is controlling their budget because many of them have no experience with it. If roommates share some of the expenses with each other, and can do so amiably and fairly, both can save some money.

Many times young people go through four years of college with the same friends, and that can begin with the freshman roommate. If the relationship works out, both gain a friend and someone to confide in during some trying times that ultimately come with higher education.

When a parent leaves their child at college, they don’t want to be concerned with how he or she will cope with the new person sharing a room with them. A little pre-planning can make a big difference in how that experience turns out.

A Parent’s Guide to “The Last Summer At Home”

The summer between a student’s Senior high school year and his or her Freshman college year is a bittersweet one for parents. On one hand, they can take a great deal of pride in the fact that their child is approaching adulthood and has been accepted into a great college. On the other hand, they’re faced (usually for the first time) with the idea that their child may be moving away from home for the first time!

 

Parents often struggle with this “last summer at home”. Here are some tips to make it more enjoyable and less stressful for both parents and kids.

 

Ready, Set….?

The last summer at home is a great time to be sure that your child has all the skills he or she needs to function as an independent adult. If you’ve always handled your child’s finances or you’ve never allowed him or her to do housework, they’re likely in for a surprise (and not a pleasant one) when they’re out on their own.

 

View summer as the opportunity to teach your child skills that he/she will need, whether it’s how to do laundry properly, how to budget, or how to maintain the car (if it’s going with them to college).

 

Create Family Memories

Particularly if you’re sending your oldest child off to college, you may feel as though your family is breaking apart and will never been the same. In some sense, it’s true; even if children return home the following summer or after college, they’ll never been the same age again.

 

Make time in the summer to enjoy quality family time, either planned trips with the whole family or even just Sunday afternoon lunches around the home when the whole family can be together. By scheduling time, you’re less likely to be anxious about missing your child’s last summer at home or to be resentful of your child’s time spent with friends outside the home.

 

Develop Your Own Interests

If the phrase “empty nest syndrome” strikes fear into your heart, summer is the time to begin developing your own interests to stave off parental loneliness. While you may have devoted the last several years to your child’s high school life, the coming college separation can leave you with more free time on your hands than you expected.

 

Take up old hobbies or interests that you may have neglected since having a child. Consider joining new groups and clubs which will let you meet more friends in your area. If you still miss the frenzy and fun of a living around a teenager, consider volunteering at your child’s old high school.

9 Helpful Tips for College Bound Freshmen

The excitement of going to college can crash and burn rather quickly a few days into the actual school year. Here are some tips to help you deal with that first year away from home at college. Adjusting to campus life doesn’t have to be difficult if you have an idea what to anticipate.

1. Expect to get homesick – When high school graduation comes, it seems that every 18-year old believes they are grown and ready to face the world. The reality is that after leaving home, there is always some sadness. This is perfectly natural, but be prepared to cope.

2. Make new friends – Sure it is great to keep your existing friends from back home, but now that you are in a new place, you need to make new friends you will see on a regular basis. Other freshmen are looking to make friends, too, and campus life is easier when you build relationships and can rely on each other.

3. Orientations are helpful – Orientations are designed for a reason, and that is to help new students acclimate successfully to campus life. Some are mandatory, some are optional, but either way you stand to learn something that will help you in your adjustment to college life.

4. Don’t miss class – Remember that attending class is very important. There are many other young adults who would love to be in your shoes but don’t have the opportunity or funds to attend college. Secondary education is a prized opportunity, so get out of bed on time and attend all classes.

5. Don’t expect to be treated like a high school student – College professors and teachers are not going to remind you of tests and homework the way your high school teachers spoiled you. You are the responsible party and must keep up with your studies if you want to “make the grade.”

6. Eat right – Mom isn’t there to stand over you and tell you to eat your fruit and vegetables. Proper nutrition is essential for a well functioning mind. Avoid a daily diet of sugar and fast food. The campus cafeteria typically serves well balanced options. Snack on fruits, vegetables, and drink plenty of water daily.

7. No one will tell you when to study – Mom and dad won’t be around to tell you to turn off the television, study for a test, or when you should get in bed. You are an adult now and need to make grown-up decisions. It is okay to have fun and participate in quality activities other than just studying, but you are there to get an education.

8. Learn patience and giving – Many freshmen have never had to share a room with another individual, so it can be an awakening when a roommate doesn’t share the same interests. You cannot always do exactly what you want in the confines of your college dorm room. It is a shared space and each student should respect the other’s rights.

9. Don’t be shy about asking for help – College is not going to be easy, especially in certain subjects. There are always people who can help with tutoring or as study partners if you ask. Take every advantage to get the best education you can.

To keep the excitement you have for going away for college, prepare in advance for the best ways to adjust to life on campus. Make your college experience one that you will remember fondly in the years to come.

College Costs – Personalizing the Dorm Room

There are so many costs associated with college other than tuition and textbooks. Planning ahead and researching what these costs are can save parents from a big shock as the time nears for their child to leave for college.

Other expenses to expect are meal plans, housing, various campus fees (i.e. parking permits), club memberships, and many other supplies and incidentals. Then there are the costs for the items required in the dormitory living quarters.

 

One college campus housing department noted that some students are known to spend more than $350 on their dormitory bed linens and other move-in accessories. Of course, parents want their children to have living quarters that are comfortable and homey, but this can be accomplished for less.

 

One source parents and students can visit online is http://www.rhl.org “Residence Hall Linens and Dorm Bedding.” They offer discounted value packs tailored around the dormitory student. It is a great place to browse even if it is just to create a checklist of things you’ll need that are often forgotten.

 

It is easy to take some things for granted when you are suddenly away from home. Some items that come in handy in a dorm room include a sewing kit, a tool kit (helpful on move-in day), a comfortable mattress pad, and first aid supplies.

 

Students with laptops will want to be sure they have the necessary security locks to prevent loss from theft. They’ll want a clothes hamper for dirty clothes, and a laundry bag is helpful for transporting items to and from the laundry area.

 

A shower pack is recommended and should contain waterproof sandals, a toothbrush case, a snap-cover soap dish, a plastic cup, and a tote for bath items (shampoo, toothpaste, and conditioner). Keeping things clean and covered is essential for proper hygiene in the dormitory setting.

 

Other items you might want to consider are specially designed garment and shoe organizers. The idea is to purchase items that can be used for multiple semesters and are designed to require minimal space because dorm rooms are typically small.

 

A college bound student can set up housekeeping in the dorm room without breaking the budget. It just requires bit of planning and shopping to find the best solutions at the best prices.

Successful College Freshman Year -June 2015 Newsletter

With so many graduates starting to leave behind their high school life for the college dream, June seems like a great time to discuss how to have a successful freshman year!

This month’s newsletter topics include:

Have a Successful Freshman Year– Tips to get the graduating seniors off to a good start in college.

Major in Nursing – There will be 1.6 million job openings for nurses in the next five years.  Looking for a career with a guaranteed future?  Consider nursing.

The A to Z of College Finance– All you need to know about managing your financial life in college.

Last Minute Summer Plans– Are you still looking for a productive way to spend your summer break?  Advice for underclassmen and graduates alike.

Click here to view this month’s newsletter

 

As always, if you have any comments or are seeking help with pursuing your college dream, I’d love to hear from you.

 

To Your College Success,

Rhonda Manns, LPC-S, NCC, NCSC
College Admissions Consultant
A2Z College Planning
Member: IECA, HECA, SACAC 

http://www.a2zcollegeplanning.com