Buy the boxes. Pack the boxes. Load the boxes. Roll out… College here we come!
For many people leaving for college is a very emotional experience; you miss your friends, your family, your home (especially home cooking!). But, some take it a lot harder than others. If there is one mistake both kids and parents can make when finally fleeing the coop for college, it is dwelling on it.
Here is my advice:
Kids: It is ok to be sad when you say goodbye and for a day and a few nights after. But the time has to come when you have to make friends. Believe it or not, there is about a two week window from the minute you arrive at school to make your first and maybe future friends. You MUST take advantage of those first two weeks when you are feeling lonely as well as others too, to meet your peers. As hard as it may be, you have to muster up the courage to walk around your floor and knock on everyone’s door and introduce yourself. You may feel unsure and out of place at first, but in reality you are doing what everyone else was too afraid to do themselves. Once you make some friends and joke about how much you miss Mom’s cooking or your queen-size bed at home, you will be like instant family and maybe even hang out that weekend. At the very least, you will know who to say hi to when you are walking down the stairs.
Parents: Do not call if you have not heard from your child in between classes… it means he/she is spreading their wings! This is the time when you have to let them live and experience life for themselves, and make their own (forgivable) mistakes. If you have raised them well, they will not do anything to disappoint you, they will only make you prouder. It is ok to check up on them or even insist on a text in the morning and a goodnight call but do not suffocate them with your intrusion or they may disappoint just to escape.
Both: if all goes according to my advice and plan, college will not be the worst thing for you or your child… it will be the best and will actually benefit your relationship and mutual understanding.
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