There’s a one-liner that has made the rounds on T-shirts and bumper stickers: You can’t scare me; I have children. Here’s a tweaked version that takes it to the next level of fearless: You can’t scare me; I have children bound for college. If you can relate to the truth behind that humor, you might appreciate these 5 tips for parents with college-bound students.
Beyond having a long-term plan for covering the primary costs of a postsecondary education and the determination to stay informed on the do’s and don’ts of college financial planning, it’s important to put the little things on the radar. Among these are hidden expenses that are hiding in plain sight. Add up these costs, and the total is no little thing:
How much students can save before school starts and whether they plan to supplement their income with a job are discussions worth having. And jobs are an area where the school they choose can help.
It’s also important for the student to be aware of the financial plan and to understand and appreciate the budgeting process.
Factors such as crime rates, campus security forces and procedures, and the availability of medical and mental health support systems should be part of the process of choosing a school. Be sure to cover all those topics with your student, but advise them that campus safety isn’t all cops and clinics. Also discuss:
Beyond talking about locked doors, safety in numbers, emergency phone numbers, and other basics, let them know that the best safety advice is to have a plan – always. And be sure they know how to access on-campus resources.
It’s hard to control the continual urge to helicopter in and get the job done for your student, both during the admissions process and once classes start. It will help if you have given them the tools to make the right choices and execute on plans you help them shape. Important abilities, along with the aforementioned budgeting skills, include time management, organizational skills, and teamwork.
The high school experience and the college admissions and enrollment processes are great frameworks in which parent-student teamwork can be productive and instructive. Leading from behind is the trick; don’t impose solutions, advise instead. And don’t rush in when problems arise. This is where they can test their mettle and gain confidence.
Remember, though, that leading from behind doesn’t mean you can’t grab the steering wheel if driving off a cliff is the inevitable result of what a student has planned. But be sure it’s a cliff they’re steering toward and not just a bump that can be a learning experience.
Unless you plan to hire a valet and personal secretary for your student, this would be a good time to ensure living on their own won’t be challenging when it comes to simple chores and skills. Make sure they know how to:
It’s not too late to learn these things once college begins. USF offers a self-defense course for women, but you don’t want your student to get a crash course in changing a tire on a dark road near campus some rainy night.
If you’ve wisely decided not to hover over your student through the admissions and enrollment processes, that doesn’t mean your work is done. Your job description includes staying calm and instilling confidence. The best way to do that is to know what has to be done and when.
To that end, physically track important goals and dates on a calendar and check off what needs to be done as it’s done. Again, don’t be too obtrusive, but always be prepared to subtly point to the clock.
And remember that the USF Office of Admissions is always ready to answer questions about becoming and being a Bull. Reach out to an advisor online or by phone at 813-974-3350.