Okay, we are sending our first born off to school in a couple weeks. For those of you that have gone through this before... any tips, tricks or other advice you can give us to help get the kid set up.

Lot of discussion in our house on these topics:

*Which meal plan he should take. (assume take fewer meals during baseball season)

*XBox, no XBox. (I am sure you can guess what son's vote is )

*Buy or rent the refrigerator/microwave (probably be in off campus housing next year).

*What is the best way to provide spending money(debit card, ATM card, school flex plan card, other)

You get the idea. Any sage advice is appreciated.

IMO,
No Xbox, at least to start - your dorm room should be where you sleep - and it is hard if there are a half-dozen kids in there playing x box until 4 am.
Rent the refrigerator - use it, then leave it.
Money - a credit card (we have one that limits to $500 - you can get them for less) and a debit card tied to a checking account in your name and his name so that you can access it too. Create a budget for expenses (after tuition, books and dorm) like meals/snacks outside of meal plan, weekend fooling around, gas if he has a car, and then figure out where that "spending money" is going to come from.
(Yes, I know the credit card is risky, but depending on how far away he is, it may prove to be very valuable in emergency situations).
I send my daughter 2000 miles from home. My advice isn't sage, but I hope this helps!

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Rule#1....

Don't let them sign up for credit cards on campus!!!

If you can't pay the bill 100% when it comes at the end of the month, you can't use a credit card!

Remember "back in the day" when we had to get someone to co-sign a credit card app? Today they give them out like candy, kids get into unbelievable credit trouble, because in so many cases... it wasn't discussed at home.

"I can't be overdrawn... I still have checks left..."

Help your kids out and establish rules with them, and don't let them go out and sign up for credit cards!

cadDAD

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quote:

Rent the refrigerator - use it, then leave it.

Tough call. I have to disagree. My refrigerator cost $120 at WalMart. A microwave would have probably run another $60. So we're at about $180. So if he moves off campus next year, then he's got another refrigerator or you've got one for at home. We've got one in a spare room where we keep beverages.

Renting on the other hand may run $100-200 for one year. At my school, I believe they're $150 for the school year.

1. Meal plan - check with the school as to what they "recommend" and also if you have the option to switch meal plans later in the year. Some will allow this to happen within a short time frame after school begins. Then select the "medium" plan and go from there - if he needs to drop down to a lesser one or whatever.

2. No XBox. They can get so much on their computers these days.

3. Rent a refrigerator - if son is going further than a car drive away to college, you will have to pay to store it over the summer (along with a lot of other things he will take with him that he won't want/be able to bring home.) And if he is not in dorm next year, the dorm refrig you get will be too small - sure you can try to resell it, but most freshman who buy, buy new or rent - so rent one. Make sure that his stuff he brings home will not exceed 2 suitcases, unless of course, you are driving him, or will fly to help bring him home, etc.

4. Spending money - get him a bank account at the college credit union/bank, or a nat'l or regional bank that has a branch close to the school where he can withdraw money. Then all you have to do is deposit (a monthly set amount which you agree upon with your kid) on your end and he can withdraw on his end with his debit card. We did not do the credit card with our kid - too hard for them to account for their spending and they tend to overspend. Also, with cash, they have to learn how to monitor their spending better - IMHO.

4. Dorm supplies - Bed, Bath and Beyond has a deal where you can go into your local store, order whatever you want, and then pick it up at the store closest to the college. Also, check to see what the college book store may be selling when the kids check in - that may be enough.

5. Printer in the room - good idea, not too expensive.

6. Router for wireless? A nice extra, assuming the entire campus (including dorm rooms)are not already wireless.

7. No TV in the room. Besides, they can watch TV on their computers. PS make sure the college supports whatever computer system you buy/own.

8. Check to see what the dorm "cooking" facilities may be - they do not eat all meals at the dining hall and have to eat somewhere besides out. You may want/need to send him with a few pots/pans/dishware.

Like mikamom, mine is many miles away, so we had to make this all happen too.

feel free to pm me if you have specifics.

quote:

Which meal plan he should take. (assume take fewer meals during baseball season)

*XBox, no XBox. (I am sure you can guess what son's vote is )

*Buy or rent the refrigerator/microwave (probably be in off campus housing next year).

*What is the best way to provide spending money(debit card, ATM card, school flex plan card, other)

Less meals is better.........

X Box- Its better to be in his room playing xbox than at other places he can go to be entertained. Game consoles are not scarce at college...they all seem to have one.

Buy the refrigerator.....cheaper over the long run

ATM Debit card

Just my .02

Living on campus take the unlimited meal plan. Unlimited means you can access it anytime you wish. It's worth every penny because you won't find them ordering pizza as often.
You also know that they most likely have better food choices than fast food places.
Also at son's school there was an incentive for other programs bought in the way of points that can be used for additional meals.

XBox without a doubt. They are responsible enough to know when to use it and when not too. Besides, they won't use it half as much as they used to at home...LOL. Mine also brought a tv. We bought a cheap one that came home still working but remote lost and the closed caption doesn't turn off. He got his monies worth though.

Buy everything, they can sell it afterwards or keep it, in son's apartment they had two micros for use, two of everything actually and used it. The refridgerator later became the beerator. However wait until a roomate assignment, one brings micro the other the fridge, etc. Or you might want to wait until a week to see if it's really needed.
We loaded up son's Tiger card with money for on campus as well as an ATM Visa debit card, that was mostly needed to be accessed for cash and was given a cash budget for the week. Mine was far from home so he had a cc in case of emergency. Bank America has a free student checking with debit card. They don't have to write checks often but it's good time to begin how to use a checking account. Some people just like the rechargable debit cards, other like to have their kids in the same bank so they can transfer funds easily. First year at any school there is not really a big need for it's use if they eat in the cafeteria. If they are spending too much means that may mean are doing too many extra things they shouldn't, JMO.
Also since son was in the middle of nowhere, I sent him with enough toiletries to last until christmas. he had transportation but everything was very far and time was limited. If you are close that is good.

BTW, the school funds card (loaded on their ID's usually) is great for laundry instead of needing change.

I remember the "college corner" first year before son went off to school, sometimes I got sad just looking at the pile growing, knowing that he was leaving. Wow, that was just ages ago.

BD - we posted at the same time. Is your refrig a full size? Also, I would not do a microwave in the room before checking to see if the dorm has one on the floor common room, or if the college will allow micros in the room. Some don't allow cooking items in the rooms. If they do, maybe add a coffee pot, if your student drinks coffee. Buying Starbucks every day may put a huge dent in the student budget.

Reading all of these, I am chuckling. Jerseydad, see the variety of opinions! Every reason is a good one, you just need to figure out which reason(s) work for you!

A joint checking account allows you to deposit money on one end and the student to withdraw it on the other.

Buy a small refriderator. Buy it there so it doesn't have to travel. They're not that expensive. If he can sell it for $20 at the end of the year to a summer school student, great. If not give it away. It think it's cheaper than renting.

On the meal plans it depends on how it's structured. Some plans deplete dollars from a debit plan. Some are for specific meals. You have to know what the school offers. My daughter missed a lot of meals her freshman year due to team travel. Last year she was in an on campus apartment with a kitchen.

XBox wasn't an issue with a daughter. No way, no how will my son take XBox to college for the reason stated in another post. Your son can play XBox in someone elses room.

Soph year we loaded up her car and put it on the Auto Train. She flew.

Sage advice: Don't call every day. Let him grow.

Another thought- coordinate all dorm room non personal supplies (frig, tv?, printer, router, micro coffee pot) with roommate - share the items (except maybe the printer) and decide who takes what home at the end of the year, etc.

Buy under the bed storage boxes - space is limited. Some beds need lifts, others won't. Some dorms need extra long bed sheets, some don't.

See what the school tells you.

I agree with pia, rather son be home with his xbox than out and about. it's also cheaper than playing cards for entertainment.


Must haves, flashlight, cheap flip flops, foam support for bed and a good sturdy backpack as they carry their life in their backpack. We bought all school supplies in Walmart when we got to Clemson. For players going far from home, don't worry you can find a walmart or target anywhere to get what they need or you forgot on moving day.



Have fun!

Good call on the printer in the room - invaluable!

Also in regard to computer stuff - we had gotten my daughter a Dell with the 3 year service warranty. Expensive, yes, but when she had a major computer problem , the tech met her in the dorm lobby and fixed it on the spot. Probably most computer companies have a close or on-campus rep like this. Also, if your student has a new computer, don't buy the Outlook Office with it - get it at the bookstore for a ridiculously low price and load it at school. (Make sure they have it of course) or perhaps you can download it from a school site. I just know they sell it to students at an incredibly cheap price.

As far as the money thing goes - everyone is going to have a different opinion and comfort level!

If you are shipping things, check with your dorm to see how boxes should be marked. Most will have a storage area they are willing to put them into. Ask if they can save the boxes for you in that storage area for move-out in the spring.

The suggestion about checking with the roommate is a GREAT one too. No need for two refrigerators unless they are a really thirsty bunch!

Have fun!

1. Meal Plan: Ask the school or if he/she is playing a sport ask their coach. They recommended which meal plan would be right for my son.

2. XBox: Differing opinions on here, but my son took his and honestly doesn't have alot of time to play even during summer school (classes, workouts, study hall, and supper everyday). How do I know, my daughter also has one at home and when I go to play Halo 3 on xbox live (daddy loves video games), my son's id hasn't been on for days. He does play some during weekends, passes idle time.

3. Spending money: We choose to use the debit card route, in his name and ours. We put ***x dollars in his account for graduation, plus gifts he received, and we have statements sent to us so that we can keep up with balance along with him. If he needs extra money for books or other school necessities, we put money in his account for those expenses. Also, if your child's school is like ours, he has to use his flex card account for things like laundry, snack machines, etc. Those things don't use coins at his school, only swipe of the flex card. Make sure you put $50 to $100 on that for those things.

4. Refrigerator/microwave: His room came with one so we didn't have to consider this.

5. TV/DVD player: Most of the time his teammates/friends are in his room watching TV or a movie.

I'll offer another bit of advise on an unsolicited topic- lofts. The summer before I left for college, the school mails us some info about living arrangements- roommate name and info, etc.

Included is info on building your own loft if you want to maximize your space and you'd prefer not to buy one from whatever company provides them. My dad and uncle have spent part (in my dad's case) or all (in my uncle's case) of their lives doing carpentry, so we figure we'll just build one and save some money. So included in this packet are the specifications for how these lofts should be built (lumber to use, etc). We build this loft to their exact specifications.

Well, when we get there to move this thing in, we're one of the few (maybe only) folks to have built our own. To say this thing weighed a TON would be an understatement. Of course, you pretty much have to resort to some illegal activities to get on the elevator, considering everyone is moving in at the same time. So we have to carry it up the stairs- major PITA. Then, to top it all off, we see the lofts that you could buy. Let's just say they weren't exactly built to the specifications we were given. So, moral of the story, if we had it to do over again, we would have just bought the loft.

rent the frigde, I wouldn't trust college students not to take food out of a communal fridge and make it their own.
Debit/ATM card, tell him to use the debit card as a credit card transaction when buying stuff in the store to save on debit fees the bank charges.

Here's a very thorough list of items a FY might need on hand.......some of it is obviously oriented towards the daughters, but there were so many things I wouldn't have thought of.....and beats having to sit down and think of it all yourself:

http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/docs/CollegeSupplyList-BHS.pdf

Ten days and counting until we're off to Texas.....enjoying the cool weather of Seattle while we can!

I agree with those that say buy his frig and microwave. Coordinate the frig with his roomate if he has one, but honestly two males will probably need two frigs. I think he needs a microwave in his room - commonly shared ones get too NASTY.

As far as x-box, I agree with those that say take it. He's a young adult now and continuing to learn to manage his time - that includes time for pursuits outside baseball and academics. It's a good stress reliever and he won't be playing it nearly as much as you might fear. Far worse things to be doing on down time and unless he's a tremendous introvert and having the game will encourage him to stay in his room too much - take the game.

Money - I think a nice mix of a credit or debit card with a limit placed on it along with a small amount of cash. If he's living in a traditional type of setting and has a meal card, he won't need a lot of cash. Learning to budget whatever you give him is another part of becoming an adult. You can always re-evaluate if you think he doesn't have enough... trying to back off if you think he's spending unwisely can be more difficult.

Many people prefer to wait until they get to school and buy things. We always ended up making a last minue trip to the store upon move in and will with my daughter this year. However, I wanted to have the bulk of things bought over the summer. Easier on my budget and allowed me to bargain shop as well as be more prepared. Worked out best for us.

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Go to an Academy. Show up for Beast (basic training) with the clothes on your back, and they mail those home the next day.

Not a normal college experience however...

cadKID#2 is doing his summer OPS assignment right now at Marine Corps Training School. Called last night and said he got to shoot an anti-tank weapon y'day. 1 for 1, killed a tank!

cadDAD

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If your son uses a laptop, get LoJack!!
Laptops tend to grow legs & wander off.