The first thing you need to do is make sure you have all the forms required for the school. Many schools require that students submit a health record before their freshmen year. Another thing is to look up the things that are allowed and that are banned in the dorm he is staying in. You wouldn't want to buy something that he can't use. Also, make sure he has lots of storage bins that can stow away under the bed to save space in the dorm room.
There is a lot that goes into planning for college. Make sure you have your FASFA filled out. You will need to have this done in order to receive any kind of financial aide. Talk to the professors once enrolled and get a list of all the things you will need. Also, if you are going to need a student or private loan you need to get the paper work going about 4 to 6 weeks ahead of class starting to ensure you have the funds you need in time. Make a check list of all the items you are going to need and start crossing them off as you get them. Whatever you do, do not wait until the last minute.
Getting your son ready for freshman year is very important. You want to make sure he has every thing he will need from as big as a new laptop to as small as quarters for laundry. Make sure he can bring everything he can't live with out. Let him know that college is a wonderful time in everyone's life. Also he will have a great time and meet tons of new people.
Wal-mart, maybe Kmart and pbteen.com send out a little flyer filled with everything a college student could need. I know that I probably under estimated what I need and had to do last min shopping. I actually forgot the part about needing notebook,textbooks,pencil,pens,highlighter,note cards,sissors, and other office supplies. There are certain question you want to ask, like does him dorm have AC? Does he have to clean his own bathroom? It would be a good idea if he asked some of his friends what they were bring, so they can compare.
If your son in staying in the dorm, I would recommend getting a locker or plenty of containers so he can store his items since the dorms are really small. I would also recommend a robe and plenty of liquid soap and shower shoes since many of the colleges offer community showers which are not located in the dorm (and some of them are not entirely clean). Also plenty of paper and pens are great for work and a laptop will help with typing papers when the computer room is closed for the night.
The best first step for college preparation is to remember that college can and will be very depending compared to high school. So don't forget to let him have fun before his move in date. Second of all, don't give him to much pressure. College is hard work, if his grades aren't all A's don't worry. B's and C's your first semester should be commended and congratulated. When it comes to things like notebooks and supplies, that can wait until he starts. You never really know what you need until your first day of class. Just make sure he has the funds needed to obtain these supplies when he gets there. Best of luck to you and your son!
Make a list of things he wants to bring and should bring with him. If he does not already have a laptop, now would be the best time to invest in one. He will also need plenty of computer paper, notebooks, index cards, highlighters and pens. Will he be on the college meal plan? If not, you will need to consider what he will be eating. Many students like to bring mini-fridges and tvs with them. If he has access to his future roommate's phone number, he can give that person a call and see what dorm items they will be bringing too.
Typically the best steps to prepping for college is to pre-arrange housing. Apply for any scholarships early because it can take time for some scholarships to come. Invest in a laptop if you can afford it these come in very handy when it comes to college and school work. Lastly stay prepared to work, it takes dedication to get through college and it is not looked down upon to take a small break between high school and college to really be fresh and ready to study.
If you guys are new to the college scene, you probably just want to take it slow and don't go overboard. The main thing will be to make sure and not register for too many difficult classes the first semester. You want to break in slowly especially if your son doesn't know what to expect. My best suggestion is to have him sit in on a summer class at the college he will be attending. This will allow him to have an idea of what it will be like in the fall. Just remember summer class usually meet everyday and are intense. Always buy your books early for the classes you are going to be taking. This will allow you to get the best prices since used editions are scooped up first. If he is staying in the dorm, wait until check in to buy all the stuff you need. Many rooms have built in tables, cabinets, beds, etc. Hope this helped.
Dorm rooms are small and people have a tendency to over buy that first semester. Some of the things that a first year college student definitely needs are laundry baskets, lighting of some sort, laptop, new bedding, paper plates and plastic silverwear and cups. People overlook the personal items like shower caddy, microwave, pictures and home mementos, telephone numbers and addresses of friends, ipod and mp3 players. No longer do parents have to send their children off with a stack of prestamped envelopes, with the email always at the ready children stay in touch a lot more often.
Most schools generally have a pretty good list of exactly what an incoming freshman will need, and they will probably go out of their way to make sure that you get a copy of it. Aside from the obvious school supplies and clothes, if the student is staying on campus he or she will probably need EXTRA LONG twin size sheets. These can be hard to find, but the beds on campuses are always long so make sure you get the right ones. Other than that, there really isn't that much that a student needs to have. Being an incoming freshman can be an exercise in communal living where everyone helps out everyone else. There will be an awful lot of students in the exact same situation, and students tend to band together to make sure everybody's needs are met.
Mentally there is really no way to get ready. As far as getting dorm supplies there are many lists online of what you may need. Don't over complicate things, bring what you would use every day. Also the college often tells you what to bring. If you forget something it is not the end of the world.
Academic wise: make sure he has all school supplies and books before he gets on campus. This will ensure that he will have everything that he needs for his classes and wont have to spend money at the outrageously priced bookstore. Dorm wise: make sure he has everything he will need to be comfortable. Make sure he has dorm supplies that he likes and food that he will eat. Let him have some opinion when it comes to buying supplies for the dorm.
Many schools will post a checklist somewhere on their website specific to that university. If this is not the case, make sure that he has all his living items, microwave, fridge, dishes,bedding, etc. You are also going to make sure that he has items such as pencils, pens, paper, and things like that. Make sure to send him with some money, so if he finds that he is short something, he can go buy the store and pick it up!
It's college time again. Classes are filling up, schedules are being made and students are panicking to get everything finished. Start the year off right by getting all your ducks in a row well ahead of schedule.Double (and triple) check your schedule. Ensure that you don't have any conflicts, and that it will really only take you 10 minutes to get from that one class to the next.Contact your professors. Ask them about specific materials, especially books (note their ISBNs). Keep a well organized list of everything you'll need to buy.
Mentally there is really no way to get ready. As far as getting dorm supplies there are many lists online of what you may need. Don't over complicate things, bring what you would use every day. Also the college often tells you what to bring. If you forget something it is not the end of the world.
Academic wise: make sure he has all school supplies and books before he gets on campus. This will ensure that he will have everything that he needs for his classes and wont have to spend money at the outrageously priced bookstore. Dorm wise: make sure he has everything he will need to be comfortable. Make sure he has dorm supplies that he likes and food that he will eat. Let him have some opinion when it comes to buying supplies for the dorm.
Many schools will post a checklist somewhere on their website specific to that university. If this is not the case, make sure that he has all his living items, microwave, fridge, dishes,bedding, etc. You are also going to make sure that he has items such as pencils, pens, paper, and things like that. Make sure to send him with some money, so if he finds that he is short something, he can go buy the store and pick it up!
It's college time again. Classes are filling up, schedules are being made and students are panicking to get everything finished. Start the year off right by getting all your ducks in a row well ahead of schedule.Double (and triple) check your schedule. Ensure that you don't have any conflicts, and that it will really only take you 10 minutes to get from that one class to the next.Contact your professors. Ask them about specific materials, especially books (note their ISBNs). Keep a well organized list of everything you'll need to buy.
Look online for college item checklists. You can find these anywhere to make sure he doesn't go off to college forgetting something important. Make sure he has his books, his classes all sorted out, his meal plans (if applicable), and his dorm/apartment life figured out.
The key to making sure you're ready for college is having your books and a laptop! These two helped me immensely through college, and helped me more than if I had neither. If you don't purchase the correct books, you won't have any of the information you need for your class. A laptop will help you research material that your book doesn't tell you.
Getting ready for college is made much easier with a check list. Write down the things you think your son will need (as well as ask him what he thinks he needs) and check it off as you obtain the things on the list. Be careful not to get too many things, college dorms are often small and extra stuff can really clutter up the small space and potentially cause roommate troubles. Things to make sure to pack: fingernail clippers, alarm clock, towels, shower flip-flops, a bike to get around town easily, and a desk lamp. An extra sheet set is also helpful and if you forget something it's not a big deal, chances are in a college town a Walmart will be nearby.