Part of your role as a parent is to help your child navigate the many new experiences and challenges that they will face as they grow up. Seeing your child meet the many different milestones means that there are lots of proud moments along the journey – their first steps, their first day at primary school, their college trips to New York. However, one of the biggest moments in a parent’s life is seeing their child go to university.
Getting your teenager ready for university life can help you both feel more at ease during this new and exciting stage of life. But what do you do? How can you help? Read on to find out more.
Find the right accommodation
When it comes to where they will stay when they are at university, choosing the right place is crucial. For most teenagers, it will be the first time they have stayed away from home for an extended period, so making sure they feel safe and comfortable is essential. Most universities have halls of residence either on campus or close to the university, or can give you a list or reputable landlords to get in touch with.
Get everything they need
Before your teenager heads off to uni, make sure they have everything they need to be able to manage. Doing this in good time means they can spend their last few days and weeks at home relaxing before the hard work kicks in. You will need basic items such as bedding, towels, plates, cups, and food.
Teach basic skills
So many teenagers head off to university without having ever needed to look after themselves before. They may not have cooked for themselves, nor done any cleaning or laundry. Without being taught these basic skills before they set off on their new big adventure, they could be in for a real shock! It is important to spend some time teaching them a few basic recipes that are quick and easy to make and that they can afford on a tight budget, as well as teaching them how to use a washing machine and do things like change a bed.
Budgeting
Budgeting is something that many independent adults struggle with, let alone teenagers new to navigating the world by themselves. Some teenagers may get loans or grants that barely cover rental costs, let alone anything else. Look at how you can support your child, if appropriate, and looking at how your child can access additional money, such as by getting a part time job.
Time management
This can be a significant challenge for children who have never been away from parents for any significant time. Even as older teenagers, days are highly structured, from waking up for school, homework, family meals, bedtimes and so on. When they go off to university, they are completely in charge of their own time, and they have to sort out their own routine. Reiterate the importance of getting enough sleep, structuring workload and managing stress levels.
