Seeing your son or daughter head out for a distant college is a stressful moment for any parent. You won’t just wonder how often you’ll be seeing them. You’ll also worry about whether they’ll be safe and successful and have everything they need.
While nothing will make it easy to watch them drive away, it is possible to take care of some of the nuts-and-bolts worries that you’ll face, making it a little less upsetting to think about them living a life hundreds of miles from you. Be sure you cover these basic needs for your long-distance mover with these helpful tips:
Can They Get Money?
Think about your student’s bank account. If it’s in a local institution that has no branches in the college town, you need to make some plans.
Your kid can open a new account in the new town so that there will be fee-free ATMs available locally, or you could remind him or her to use their existing debit card with its PIN to get cashback at a store when they make other purchases. Don’t use cash advances on a credit card; fees and interest are too high.
Can They Communicate?
Many cell providers have good coverage nationwide, but others are more regional and may not perform well in the college town. Drive around the new city and see how coverage looks, and don’t forget to drive to popular recreational areas or shopping centers where your student is likely to spend a lot of time.
Make sure there is a decent signal in all those areas, and if there’s not, investigate options with local providers or a better nationwide network.
Can They Get Health Care?
Health insurance coverage is something that’s on everyone’s mind these days. Before your son or daughter moves far from home, review your plan. See if routine doctor visits and after-hours care will be covered in the new city. Make sure your student knows where to go and where not to go so that there are no surprise bills. If you have dental and vision coverage, repeat the process for those as well.
Can They Go Where They Need To Go?
Most college students have a very limited geographical range. They know where they have to go on campus and for a few limited things off-campus. That’s not a big problem for students who only live an hour or two away from home, but when the move is cross-country, the student must be a lot more independent.
After move-in day is done, spend some time getting your student-oriented to the city so that it’s easier to find important things like shopping, recreation, car repair, and that new bank.
Can They Seek Professional Help?
A college move is no easy task and like what they say, trust the experts. A moving company can relieve a lot of stress from you, and they’ll make sure everything arrives safely at its destination. They might cost more upfront, but you’ll be thanking yourself for the convenience and timely manner in which they approach the operation. More specifically, you’ll want to hire movers who specialize in helping college kids transition comfortably into their dorms.
That being said, not all college movers are wired the same. Here’s how you can ensure that the experts you hire can be trusted:
- Check their license. Ask your mover’s USDOT number for proof of their authorization to operate across states. A good company also has the proper insurance and security in place to protect clients like you.
- Reach out to your city’s local transport department. The USDOT number isn’t just the only license you’ll want to see. Different cities have different regulations regarding their transport companies. Message the respective department of the place your moving to and ask to check if your potential company is registered in their database without any complaints.
- Check their reviews online. See if previous customers were satisfied with the college movers’ services. Check what complaints or issues recent clients had and if they ever got resolved. Steer clear of companies with bad reviews.
- If possible, contact a referral. Online reviews can sometimes be faked. To assure that you’re hiring college movers that are tried and tested, ask for referrals and listen to their experience in person or via phone.
Can They Get Comfortable?
Comfort is important when living college life. After a hard day’s work or studying, you’ll want to come home to a comfy room with a comfy bed and comfy sheets. That’s why it’s vital that your bedding material, such as your comforter and pillows, are secured in place during transit. Use a sturdy material to wrap the comforter and ensure it’s tied securely—double check to make sure there aren’t any holes or rips in the material before moving on.
Pack All The Essentials
It’s easy to get lost and forget one or two items when moving yourself and your stuff to a new place. Focus on packing all the necessary essentials before leaving so that once you arrive, you’ll be able to unpack and immediately feel at home.
Here’s a list of things to bring with you:
- Clothing (with an emphasis on weather-appropriate items) – this includes your school uniform, underwear, casual, formal, and athletic clothing. Don’t forget extra pairs of shoes!
- Personal hygiene products – toothbrush, deodorant, skincare products, etc. Remember to stock up on toiletries.
- Room decorations – pictures, actions figures, and posters that make the entire space feel like home. Just avoid cluttering up your room.
- School supplies – pens, pencils, highlighters, notebooks, etc. Prepare for the upcoming semester by buying your required textbooks.
- Technology – computer, tablet, phone (with chargers), and any other gadgets you may need to get schoolwork done.
- Utensils and cooking supplies – plates, cups, silverware, pots, pans, etc. You can get cheap ones at your local dollar store.
Conclusion
When a son or daughter chooses a specialized career path, it often means they’ll have to pull up stakes and attend college somewhere far across the country. It’s a reason to be proud, but as parents, we all worry.
Nothing will bridge the miles between you (except holidays!), but you can at least make sure that your high achiever is prepared for the necessities of daily life.
You’ll rest better, they’ll rest better, and most of all, you’ll see them make their final trip home from campus with a hard-earned diploma.
