Next Steps & Recommendations

How can you help your college student?

These next steps are important for an easy transition to college.

Make sure they have connected with their roommate and have discussed what items they will bring.
Work with your student to sign up for a meal plan and discuss healthy eating habits.
Will your student have the same bank that they do now? If they do not have a bank account, support them by getting one set up.
Will your student bring a car to campus? Make sure to discuss the pros and cons of this with your student.
Have your student schedule their doctor’s appointment to fill out their Health and Immunization Form and send it to Gardner-Webb.
Arrange for prescriptions to be filled. Review healthcare options in Boiling Springs and Shelby.
Pack health and emergency kit to include insurance card, over- the-counter medications, flashlight, etc.
Create a communication plan with your student. How often will you talk when he or she comes to Gardner-Webb?
What is the best way to manage their time? Do they need a planner or will they use their phone?
Discuss the differences between high school and college. How and where will they study?
Make sure you sign and discuss the FERPA form with your student.

Your Freshman is Off to College: A Month-by-Month Guide to the First Year (Hazard and Carter)
The Parents’ Survival Guide to Freshman Year of College (Borden, Burlinson and Kearns)
Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years (Coburn & Treeger)
When Your Kid Goes to College: A Parents’ Survival Guide (Barkin)
Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years (Johnson & Schelhas-Miller)
You’re On Your Own (But I’m Here if You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years (Savage)
Success and Sanity of the College Campus: A Guide for Parents (Trevouledes and Grieger)
A Father’s Letters to His College Daughters (Courtier)