As summer vacation comes to a close, it’s time to get your college student prepared for life on campus. They’ve gone through their checklist, acquiring the needed twin XL sheets, shower caddy, and pop-up laundry hamper. They may even have contacted their new roommate about who will be bringing the mini fridge and the microwave. Now, all that’s left is to get them moved into their dorm room.
Although they’re eager to start their journey to independence, the transition is not without pangs. Here are four things your college-bound child will miss from home — and ways you can ease their homesickness.
1. Air-Conditioned Comfort
If your home has central air or a state-of-the-art mini split system, it can be a shock to live without this luxury. While colleges try to make resident halls comfortable, the heating and cooling systems are often outdated. On some campuses, air conditioning is the exception rather than the rule. This can make your student’s room a stuffy, sweltering space, especially during the warmer months when classes are just beginning.
If your student’s living space isn’t inviting, it can be more challenging to focus on schoolwork and studying. This can affect your student’s ability to learn or even cause their grades to drop.
You can provide some relief by sending your student to campus with a box fan or oscillating fan. If the weather is truly torrid, you might invest in a portable air conditioner, provided there’s a way to vent it. Should all else fail, remind your child that uncomfortable temps will provide an excuse to leave their room and socialize!
2. Home-Cooked Meals
Although college dining halls offer a variety of food selections, their rotating menu can eventually get tiresome to your student. Or late-running labs or sports practices may cause them to miss dinner altogether and have to resort to packaged ramen or take-out. After countless nights of instant noodles or cafeteria food, your student will yearn for a home-cooked meal. There’s just nothing to compare to family favorites prepared by Mom or Dad.
While you won’t be able to mail your student a four-course dinner, you can send them home-cooked treats. Bake their favorite chocolate chip cookies or a loaf of pumpkin bread and mail them to campus. A care package is a great way to let your student know you’re thinking of them, especially during midterms and finals. Getting a lovingly prepared taste of home will help boost their morale when stress is high.
You can also add self-care and practical items to their package, like skincare products or cozy socks. And of course, don’t forget to write your student a heartfelt note to show them your love and support.
3. Personal Space
As your student heads to college, they’ll likely have to sacrifice some personal space. Many residence halls have community-style bathrooms, and your child may have to share their space with a roommate. It’s possible your student may be able to choose their roommate, but these selections are often made by the college.
Having a roommate comes with several perks. Double rooms may be more affordable than singles, and having a roommate can make building new friendships easier. Together, your student and their roommate can navigate the ups and downs of college life, creating life-long memories. But if your student isn’t accustomed to sharing a bedroom, this adjustment may be challenging.
Encourage your child to establish boundaries with their roommate. By setting expectations regarding things like study times and cleanliness, your student can prevent common roommate conflicts. Another easy way to enable your student to regain some personal space is by adding privacy screens or room dividers. Using these means to create separate spaces in the room can help when both roommates need to study or just want some alone time.
4. Laundry Services
Regardless of whether your student has ever done laundry before, laundry is completely different in college. Your child will no longer have you to empty their hamper or sort their colors from their whites. They’ll have to share the machines with everyone on their floor or building. And those machines typically won’t be free to use as they were at home.
The last thing your student wants to face on a stressful day is running out of clean underwear. Before you send your student off to college, give them a proper laundry lesson. Many college students may be tempted to throw all their garments and towels in the same load to save time. However, this can not only harm their clothing, but overload and unbalance the machines as well.
Some colleges may charge your student to use washers and dryers, similar to a laundromat. If this is the case in your student’s dorm, send them to campus with a roll of quarters. This way, they won’t have to stress about finding change when they’re down to their last clean T-shirt. You can also help them create a monthly laundry budget. This will enable them to determine how much to set aside for machines and detergent.
Transitioning to Campus Life
As your student heads off to college, they’re starting an exciting chapter in their lives. They’ll meet new people and enjoy new experiences. But they’ll miss the comforts home has to offer.
To help alleviate feelings of homesickness, pack a piece of home for your student. Something as simple as their favorite quilt or stuffed animal can provide emotional comfort and a sense of security. When their classes and social life become overwhelming, such items can evoke positive emotions that can counteract the stress of college. With reminders of their beloved home to buoy their spirits, your student will be ready to jump back into the campus whirl.
