Becoming an empty nester after dropping your kid off at college can be an emotional time, but thinking about all that you'll be able to do can help you cope with the new transition. Making plans to do things you never got to do and go places you've always wanted to visit (or even live) can be exciting and make this one of the most adventurous times of your life. But before you can start living your new nomadic lifestyle, take a look at the five things you should do before, during, and after you drop your kid off at college.
1. Prepare for Move-In Day
Before you drop your child off at college, you'll want to prepare for moving day so that you can make sure they have everything they need while they're away from home. Create a packing checklist of every item your son or daughter might need when they go live in their dorm or off-campus apartment.That usually includes things like a backpack, desk lamp, extra long bed sheets, pillows, a laptop, a small fan, hangers, a laundry bag, shower shoes, and more. Make sure they talk to their roommate ahead of time so that they can discuss who's bringing what to the room so that they don't have two of everything.
Before you drop your child off at college, you'll want to prepare for moving day so that you can make sure they have everything they need while they're away from home. Create a packing checklist of every item your son or daughter might need when they go live in their dorm or off-campus apartment.That usually includes things like a backpack, desk lamp, extra long bed sheets, pillows, a laptop, a small fan, hangers, a laundry bag, shower shoes, and more. Make sure they talk to their roommate ahead of time so that they can discuss who's bringing what to the room so that they don't have two of everything.
2. Make Sure They Can Contact You
If you're going to be traveling after you finally drop your kid off at college, make sure they can contact you no matter where your new nomadic lifestyle takes you. That means ensuring you've got an international phone if you're going to be living outside of the country, or an affordable cell phone with great service all over the country if you plan on staying in the States.
If you're going to be traveling after you finally drop your kid off at college, make sure they can contact you no matter where your new nomadic lifestyle takes you. That means ensuring you've got an international phone if you're going to be living outside of the country, or an affordable cell phone with great service all over the country if you plan on staying in the States.
Regardless of which kind of traveling you'll be doing, it's important that your child can reach you if anything happens or if they're just feeling overwhelmed and need to talk. Ensure they also have an affordable cell phone plan with unlimited talk, text, and data so they can feel secure in knowing you're only a phone call away.
3. Get the Right Auto Insurance
Getting superior auto insurance for your new college student is essential if you want them to be protected if anything should happen. With an insurance company like USAA, you'll get savings and discounts like Safe Driver, Multi-Vehicle, Good Student, Defensive Driving, Driver Training, and Annual Mileage discounts.
Getting superior auto insurance for your new college student is essential if you want them to be protected if anything should happen. With an insurance company like USAA, you'll get savings and discounts like Safe Driver, Multi-Vehicle, Good Student, Defensive Driving, Driver Training, and Annual Mileage discounts.
You'll also have the option of getting comprehensive and collision coverage, liability coverage, personal injury protection, uninsured, and under-insured protection. USAA also offers accident forgiveness (which is free after five years if your household hasn't had any at-fault accidents).
4. Encourage Your Child to Make Connections
Encourage your child to make as many connections as possible over the next four years so that they increase their chances of success once they graduate. It's all about who you know, according to some experts. Of course, they could most likely still get a job without connections, but their chances are better if they know someone who works at the company they want to work for. Networking with other like-minded individuals throughout their time in college can be beneficial once they start their job search after they graduate.
Encourage your child to make as many connections as possible over the next four years so that they increase their chances of success once they graduate. It's all about who you know, according to some experts. Of course, they could most likely still get a job without connections, but their chances are better if they know someone who works at the company they want to work for. Networking with other like-minded individuals throughout their time in college can be beneficial once they start their job search after they graduate.
5. Find Ways to Fill the Void
Dropping your child off at college might leave a void in your life if there are no other children in the house. But that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. Now that you've got the house to yourself, you can start exploring the world around you.
Dropping your child off at college might leave a void in your life if there are no other children in the house. But that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. Now that you've got the house to yourself, you can start exploring the world around you.
Whether you decide to take a cruise, travel abroad, head out into the great outdoors on a camping trip, or enjoy the scenic views on a road trip around the country, you're sure to find something enjoyable to fill the void. If you don't want to travel alone, consider a group tour, which can allow you see the sights you want to see and make new friends all at once.
Planning Ahead
When the big day arrives, you'll be glad you prepared and you'll be more excited to start living your life anywhere in the world you desire. Whether you choose to settle into a foreign utopia or in a coastal beach town, you'll be able to rest easy knowing that you've taken care of everything your child needs before they let for college by following the above tips. Take time to plan ahead to make the transition as easy as possible for both you and your child.
When the big day arrives, you'll be glad you prepared and you'll be more excited to start living your life anywhere in the world you desire. Whether you choose to settle into a foreign utopia or in a coastal beach town, you'll be able to rest easy knowing that you've taken care of everything your child needs before they let for college by following the above tips. Take time to plan ahead to make the transition as easy as possible for both you and your child.
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