Starting University is an exciting time for you and your child after all the anxiousness of exams. However, it’s also a big change, and a lot to get used to. There are a few great ways to help get them ready for this big change.
Teach Them To Fend For Themselves
University will be a lot easier on your child if they already know how to fend for themselves. Living in student halls can be a steep learning curve if they’re not used to looking after themselves.
While they’re still at home, start getting them to look after themselves. Give them a budget, and ask them to cook dinner for the family one night a week, so they get used to shopping on a budget and cooking some different meals.
Ask them to do their own laundry, so you know they know how to use a washing machine without help. Ask them to do the grocery shop for the family sometimes, and stop helping them to organise their time. They’ll need to learn to get by without you at university, so stop shouting up the stairs to make sure they’ve got up for college.
Teach Them To Budget
University is not cheap. Even without the actual fees to attend, your child will need to learn to live on their student loan and budget their money throughout the term. If they’re not used to managing their money, it can be easy for students to spend too much at the start of term and end up going without later on.
Sit down and have a frank conversation about money. Set some guidelines about when you’ll be willing to get them out of trouble if they’ve overspent. You need to strike a balance between them feeling as though they can tell you if they have got into a mess with their money, but not feeling as though they can spend their money how they want because they know they can always ask you for more cash. They need to learn to be responsible with their finances.
Help With Homesickness
It’s common for students to feel a bit homesick when they first get to University. They will miss their old friends, and their family, and might find making new friends and learning to live alone intimidating. If they’re struggling, they might ask you to come home to visit a lot in their first few weeks. As much as you might be missing them too, encourage them to wait before they come home so they don’t miss out on a lot of important socialising in their first weeks.
If your child is homesick and is asking to come home, that’s going to be rough on you too. Try to be tough, and encourage them to tough it out for at least the first month before you agree to let them come home for a visit. Instead, stay in touch over the phone, or start a family Whatsapp chat so everybody still feels involved with each others daily life.
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