Before Your Student Arrives

There are several topics you might want to discuss with your student before he or she moves into the residence hall or begins college.  The following are our suggestions:

1. Expectations:  What do you expect of your student academically, personally, and financially?  What role will you play in their college experience and what responsibilities does each of you have?  What will happen if your expectations are not met?
2. Communication:  How and when will you and your student communicate?  Are there any particular topics about which you expect to be informed?
3. Medical matters:  We hope it never happens, but sometimes students become ill or injured.  Does your student have accurate insurance information and know what area hospitals honor that insurance plan?  Where to fill a prescription?  How to take a taxi back to the hall after a trip to the emergency room for that sprained ankle? 
4. Property insurance:  The University does not assume liability for students’ personal property.  Does a homeowner’s policy extend to your student’s belongings at school, or do you need to arrange for tenant’s insurance?
5. Financial planning, part A:  What are your student’s financial obligations?  What does he or she have to do regarding any loans or financial aid?  Make sure your student has all appropriate paperwork in order.  What is the overall plan for the year, not just for the first quarter?  Is there any remaining confusion about anything? 
6. Financial planning part B:  Your student will receive or be subject to many offers for credit once he or she is on campus.  Does your student understand ideas such as good debt and bad debt?  Interest on debts?  Credit scores?  Using a checking account?
7. Coping with life’s detours and challenges:  Can your student change a tire?  Read a map?  Use public transportation?   Express a difference of opinion without “going off” on someone?  Agree to disagree?  Be in conflict without being violent?